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

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
07 Mar 12, George K. (Australia - temperate climate)
Greeks use silverbeet and endives much the same way, as a salad. Cook as above,strain,cool, then dress with salt,olive oil and lemon juice....even some chopped garlic if you like....yummy salad...
07 Nov 11, Nathanael (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Why can you not grow silver beet next to corn? is it just because of the shade of the corn?
29 Aug 11, Helen Elam (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
the thick white stem of Swiss chard is cooked separately: cut up in sticks of 6 cm long by 1 cm diameter. cooked gently in butter. I have eaten this as a n accompaniment to girolles and riz de veau - the leaves were cooked and pureed to make a wonderful sauce.
09 Aug 11, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
I have several silverbeet in the garden that are doing fantastic, and just keep on growing more and more leaves every time we harvest some. Planted in March, and at this stage show NO signs of stopping growing! Late this month, we need to pull everything out of the garden bed to top it up (its a no-soil, no dig garden) and prepare it for the warmer season crop - will it hurt if I transplant a few of these mature silverbeet plants into another big pot so I can keep harvesting the leaves???
08 Apr 11, Sue (Australia - temperate climate)
I have silverbeet plants over 18 months old that are still producing. We grow everything in dappled sunlight (under trees) and pick all our leaves very young. This way, we have salad leaves constantly and very few pests find them - our lettuce also takes many months before it goes to seed.
06 Apr 11, Rosie (Australia - temperate climate)
I have ground silverbeet in different area of my garden, some of them get the morning sun and a few of them get the hot afternoon sun. However most of the plants on either side have died and out of 8 seedlings I purchased from the nusery, just 2 are left. I water them everyday and the soil is basic clay with compost. Please tell me what I am doing wrong.
22 Feb 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
Having trouble with silverbeet. The leaves have lost colour and have gone almost white. Is this a lack of fertiliser? or some other reason.
21 Jan 11, Jenboon (Australia - temperate climate)
White stemmed silverbeet... close to the end or going to seed, the stems turn dark pink or red in strips along the edge or full stem? Are the stems still edible or should they be composted?
15 Jan 11, chris (Australia - temperate climate)
Silverbeet is extremely easy to grow, and is a great way for young children to experience the joy of growing and harvesting your own food. 10 out of 10!
Showing 131 - 140 of 222 comments

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