Your comments and tips

10 Feb 09, Hels (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, i have planted Silverbeet about 2months ago and they have a disease that is causing the underside of the leaf to go a silvery/brown colour and then drying out and cracking like a potato chip. I have never seen this happen and dont know how to fix it. Does any one have any suggestions? WOuld be much appreciated.

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14 Feb 09, Sandy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi, I've tried planting silverbeet / chard from two different seed packets and only one plant has come up each time. Previously I have found it really easy to grow so I'm feeling a bit baffled. Any advice greatly appreciated. Best Wishes, Sandy

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06 Mar 09, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)

As a commercial grower for many years, I never pick Silverbeet too short as the next leaves take far too long to re-grow. Also I find Silverbeet requires less fertiliser than you would expect for a plant this size. If you spray with fungicide (copper) and insecticide after picking, you will have beautiful, healthy leaves ready for picking every week. Always adhere to spray with-holding periods.

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12 Mar 09, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

For the past couple of years I have been unable to grow silverbeet successfully in any part of my garden. It appears to be flourishing, and then develops silvery coloured blotches on the leaves. I have been using sheep manure, plus blood, bone and potash, plus occasional doses of "Thrive" liquid fertiliser.

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14 Mar 09, Lesley (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)

I was looking for advice on how to cook - some say remove the thick white part before cooking...... but all advice I have is to cook (whether with or without onions and garlic) in MILK. You don't seem to mention that here. I also understand that those who grew up eating this vegetable prefer it with nutmeg. Am just going to prepare -for first time - wish me luck!

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17 Mar 09, Barb (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Lesley, I like to steam silverbeet then sprinkle a couple of drops of soy sauce and sesame oil over it before serving, Alternatively steam then sprinkle with a little nutmeg. I've seen recipes with milk, but never used milk with silverbeet.

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25 Mar 09, Ken (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

To Ron, (3 Aug 08), your Silver beet sounds just like a problem I had with mine. I contacted Peter Cundall and his advice was to put BORON in the ground. Its a trace element and essential for the good health of all Beet plants. I bought a tub of "Borax" at Coles, its 17% Boron, lightly sprinkled it about where I was going to plant my Silver Beet and Beetroot, and bingo, best crops I've had for years. Go to www.agric.nsw.gov.au and put in "Boron Deficiency" and you will get a very interesting article.

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25 Mar 09, Ken, Blue Mountains, NSW. (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

To Emily, 14 Oct 08, it will be birds picking at the lovely green leaves. It looks a bit unsightly but they will probably get over it and leave the plants alone. If it persists, you could try making a cover out of some chicken netting and covering your plants. Get a piece of chicken netting about 2 metres long, double it over, lengthways and tie the edges, then 'balloon' it out so that it sits over the plants, and so protecting the plants from the birds.

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09 Apr 09, Meg (Australia - temperate climate)

I have small green caterpillars destroying my silverbeet and also having a go at the beetroot leaves. I can't seem to get on top of them even though I've sprayed a couple of times. Does anyone have any suggestions? Especially anything organic or natural, since I'm partly growing veges to minimise the pesticides on our food.

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17 Apr 09, Judy (Australia - temperate climate)

I've grown silverbeet quite a lot in the past, but in my new location on the Central Coast of NSW, I'm finding that it has a disease which looks like little brown dots/spots all over the leaf. Anyone know what this is please - could it be a fungus type problem? Thanks, help would be appreciated. I'm an organic grower, so any remedies need to be non-toxic. Thanks. Judy

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