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Growing Silverbeet, also Swiss Chard or Mangold

(Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

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

(Best months for planting Silverbeet in USA - Zone 5a regions)

S = Plant undercover in seed trays. P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 10°C and 30°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 15 - 30 cm apart
Harvest in 7-12 weeks.
Compatible with: Beans, brassica sp. (cabbage, cauliflower, etc), tomato, allium sp. (onion, garlic, chives), lavender, parsnip
Avoid growing with: Corn, melon, cucurbit (cucumbers, squash, melons, gourds), most herbs, potato.

Multi-coloured variety
Silverbeet

Edible dark green glossy leaves with wide white or cream stalks produced over a long period. Both leaves and stalks are eaten. This is a cut and come again plant, providing leaves for some months before going to flower. Can re-sprout from around the base if cut off when it starts to flower.

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

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

24 Mar 13, Mehmet Kolgu (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Never understand the words " Avoid growing with potatoes" means how far I can plant my potatoes from the silverbeet / Please advise me..
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05 Apr 13, Ferran (Australia - sub-tropical climate): potatoes change/add chemicals to the soil and attract root disease as this plant is in the same family as beetroot it is advisable to keep it away from potatoes. this only goes soil deep in bed next to the potatoes would be fine but not so close in the soil that the roots would have a chance to cross.
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04 Mar 13, Maxwell (Australia - temperate climate): Does sulphate of iron help to darken the colour of the leaves of silver beet, as well as give it a nutritional value.
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25 Feb 13, (Australia - temperate climate): Really good advice for daughter's school project!!!! :)
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06 Jan 13, (Australia - temperate climate): Could it be birds or do you have chooks getting into it at night Snails or slugs what time do you water it
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25 Dec 12, dee (Australia - temperate climate): What eats silver beet at night? Husband growing it and finding at night it gets munched? We live in town so no rabbits.
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07 Apr 13, Salli Su (Australia - sub-tropical climate): It might be possums eating your silverbeet
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17 Apr 13, Andrew S (Australia - temperate climate): Could well be.. but I would also include good old rats and even bandicoots (even in town).
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04 Dec 12, JANE HOWWARD (Australia - sub-tropical climate): Is Silverbeet the same as collard greens?
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11 Sep 12, Toni Jones (Australia - temperate climate): I have had a plant in a pot on the patio in the morning sun and I ate from it for over 4 years very good value
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Post a question, comment or tip about Silverbeet

Replying to:

Why can you not grow silver beet next to corn? is it just because of the shade of the corn?

- Nathanael

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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.

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