Select your climate zone

Growing Silverbeet, also Swiss Chard or Mangold (Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

Easy to grow. Sow direct. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed.
Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C.

Reasonably frost and heat tolerant. Grows well in most soils. For prolific growth apply compost, or well-rotted manure. Resistant to most plant diseases.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
P P P           P P P P

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Silverbeet

Wash thoroughly and inspect the back of the leaves for insects.
Chop and put in a saucepan with very little water ( or just what is on the leaves)
Cover and cook over a low to medium heat until the leaves collapse.
A small amount of nutmeg enhances the flavour.

Your comments and tips

28 Aug 07 Peter HYde (Unknown climate)
Does anybody know where you can get seeds for these Mangolds
02 Sep 07 Chris Hutchinson (Unknown climate)
If you are looking for mangold aka silverbeet, then you can find the seed at most nurseries and supermarkets. If you want the european mangold or sugarbeet then you could try an agricultural supplier.
02 Jan 08 jim kitis (Unknown climate)
the best variety of silverbeet is the fordhook giant as it takes a very long time to go to seed. i planted 200 in my marktet garden and i used eco vital folair spray on them and was harvesting from them for over 2 years before i moved and the new oeners still have some left a year after i shifted.
13 Jan 08 Liz (Unknown climate)
If you have a small garden or just like colour, silverbeet in different colours are available. They are all edible and decorate the garden while growing.
22 Jan 08 Chris (Unknown climate)
I've also found Fordhook Giant to be an superb variety. It keeps growing through drought and cold, and self-sows readily if you let a plant go to seed. Snails ate nearly everything else in the garden when I was away, but the silverbeet was unscathed.
18 Feb 08 fudgemuffin69 (Unknown climate)
this is a great vegetabe 2 grow because it grows all through winter i have just fallen in love with it and i dont even like it

Post a comment or tip about Silverbeet


Where are you?



All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site

See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   United Kingdom - temperate/cool,   United Kingdom - temperate/warm  

Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

Site design and development by Hutchinson Software