Growing Silverbeet, also Swiss Chard or Mangold

Beta vulgaris var. cicla : Amaranthaceae / the amaranth family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec
    S S S S            
      T T T T          
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in Australia - tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 (can grow beside): Beans, brassica sp. (cabbage, cauliflower, etc), tomato, allium sp. (onion, garlic, chives), lavender, parsnip
  • Avoid growing close to: Corn, melon, cucurbit (cucumbers, squash, melons, gourds), most herbs, potato.

Your comments and tips

14 Oct 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Emily, could it be bird damage? Birds get stuck into anything green and leafy in spring - presumably to feed chicks. I need to keep lettuce and silverbeet netted.
15 Oct 08, Jenny (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Emily - I think Chris is right - I have seen sparrows tearing holes in my silver beet. I don't worry about it too much...there is always plenty left even though it might look a bit battered
18 Oct 08, cas (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
first time grower its been growing for 2 months n still a bright green???? will it ever go that nice dark green???
20 Oct 08, nedra (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to know if you can harvest silverbeet bit by bit by taking leaves as they grow or do you pull the whole plant when it reaches a certain size?. Sorry, very naive beginner.
20 Oct 08, Chris (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Nedra, you can take a few leaves at a time. I've had silverbeet plants last two years that way (they always go to seed in the 2nd year).
21 Oct 08, Jaci (Australia - temperate climate)
Emily, my silverbeet has been eaten too and I am having an earwig problem lately! I wonder if they could be the culprits...? The leaves are still mostly intact and quite edible. It's funny though, my lettuces are completely unscathed... so far.,..
29 Oct 08, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
I cook Puys Lentils in veggie stock, add tomatoes and some spicy seeds, tons of garlic, serve with olive oil and lemon juice, add finely sliced raw silverbeet/spinach. You don't always need to cook fresh greens.
22 Nov 08, Trevor (Australia - temperate climate)
I like to clip away any leaves flat on the ground - coz slugs and earwigs live under flat wilted leaves. Your suggestions about using garlic spray, vinegar and even cayenne spray have been useful/worthwhile folks!
01 Dec 08, Sam (Australia - temperate climate)
My silverbeet is being badly eaten by small black beetles. I thought it was ewigs but the beetles are very evident
12 Jun 12, sam (Australia - arid climate)
rust i think
Showing 11 - 20 of 187 comments

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