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

15 May 17, Jack (Australia - temperate climate)
I suggest you increase organic matter in the soil by growing green manure crops or old manure and digging it in. Adding washed sand will also help. Not many plants like to sit in soggy soil so anything you can do to open the soil up and help it drain will help.You could also add a good dressing of garden lime as wet soils are often acidic. Now is a good time to do that. Only use garden lime and give the beds a good covering. We'll look forward to hearing how you go in the coming spring.
04 Dec 12, JANE HOWWARD (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Is Silverbeet the same as collard greens?
20 Sep 15, (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Silverbeet is a bit different. Collards are a brassica
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?
13 Jun 10, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Andrea, you could try handling like beetroot seeds. i.e. soak some overnight. They will swell a bit and be easier to separate.
Showing 11 - 15 of 15 comments

the best variety of silverbeet is the fordhook giant as it takes a very long time to go to seed. i planted 200 in my marktet garden and i used eco vital folair spray on them and was harvesting from them for over 2 years before i moved and the new oeners still have some left a year after i shifted.

- jim kitis

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