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

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02 Jan 08, jim kitis (Unknown climate)
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.
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02 Sep 07, Chris Hutchinson (Unknown climate)
If you are looking for mangold aka silverbeet, then you can find the seed at most nurseries and supermarkets. If you want the european mangold or sugarbeet then you could try an agricultural supplier.
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28 Aug 07, Peter HYde (Unknown climate)
Does anybody know where you can get seeds for these Mangolds
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Re my advice to shade the plants. I reply to comments here for Australia, New Zealand, Canada, USA and South Africa. Temps probably vary from 0 to 40+C degrees. Good luck with the organic gardening. I just left a volunteer garden place for health reasons and they were going/trying to go organic. Their crops this year so far, are very under nourished. I generally don't spray, use some compost, pigeon poo, worm juice and a bit of chem fertiliser if I need it. When transplanting - plant out when 4-8 leaf stage.

- Mike

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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. Gardenate 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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