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
T T T           T T T T
P P P           P P P P

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in New Zealand - cool/mountain regions)

  • 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

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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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30 May 13, Jeremy (Australia - temperate climate)
Most commonly you will find it to be slaters and/or snails. I've even found a few cabbage moth catepillars on the underside of the leaves from time to time. A good pyrethum (natural) spray should help take care of it.
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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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20 Sep 15, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Silverbeet is a bit different. Collards are a brassica
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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. GardenGrow 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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