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                    
      T                
    P P                

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in USA - Zone 5a 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 50°F and 86°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 6 - 12 inches 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
16 Jun 15, Colin (Australia - temperate climate)
Please help! How can I get crisp white stems and dark green leaves on my Fordhook Giant like the stuff I see in the supermarket? My plants never get past mid-green.
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24 Oct 15, Teesha (Australia - temperate climate)
Lots of sun!
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08 Apr 15, Carol watts (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have always cut the leaves just above the ground, very successful for years. My community garden gurus tell us to break them off. I feel this bruises and tears the remaining stalk and encourages rot. Who is right please?
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22 Nov 14, Bec (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I planted my silverbeet seedlings a couple of months ago, they are starting to flower, if I cut off flowers, will they keep going
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26 Jan 15, (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I cut off the stalk at just above ground level and they start again, I do wait to collect the seeds from most plants first, then chop and drop the stalk and rest leaves as mulch around the plant, I am also in a cool growing area and it works well, but I also always leave some plants go to seed and that way never have to bother to start new seedlings!! Happy gardening Jen .
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10 Nov 14, Maureen (Australia - temperate climate)
My silver beet plants developed many yellow outer leaves. When I pulled the plants up, there were mole crickets clinging to the roots. I believe mole crickets usually eat grass roots. Could the damage to the silver beet be from the mole crickets. How do I get rid of them?
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23 Sep 14, Adrienne Streppel (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My silverbeet leaves are harbouring beet webworm. How can I save my plants or do I just have to sacrifice the leaves that are attacked.
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10 Sep 14, Marion C (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Ihave grown silver beet and Swiss chard quite successfully before, but my last crop seemed to get a lot of rusty coloured spots on them , any ideas why?
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08 Mar 15, Meg (Australia - temperate climate)
Mine had rustspot too and i treated it with lime sulpher, did the trick.Take off any damaged leaves first then spray.
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25 Aug 14, Robert (Australia - temperate climate)
I love to grow silver beet but earwigs attack so badly despite surface spray around the area or rolled up newspaper. I tried growing in flower pots but the result has been very small growth. What next do you suggest , thank you,
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Showing 91 - 100 of 222 comments
See comments for all plants

depends really. is the whole leaf yellow, is it the young or old leaves, are they going dry and brown, or limp and slimey. though its probably a nitrogen deficiency, try seeweed or fish emulsion

- jaime

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