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 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
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!
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jan 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
Absolutely! And it also taste's great!
Reply or Post a new comment
10 Jan 11, Bob (Australia - temperate climate)
Most of you are probably aware of wheatgrass & barleygrass,and their powderised forms which are claimed to be extemely nutritious with the bonus of special health benefits. In a similar fashion, can we safely eat the seeds from plants which have gone to seed and often produce an abundance of seed-heads ?
Reply or Post a new comment
31 Dec 10, Paul Stothard (Australia - temperate climate)
My mother has some silver beet in the garden which she has been harvesting on a cut and come again basis. Most of the plants have recently started seeding. She would like to know whether the leaves can still be harvested and eaten
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Jan 11, Elizabeth (Australia - temperate climate)
Yes you can continue to harvest and eat the leaves. Now that it's seeding though once you've harvested this last lot of leaves off you might as well pull out the plant as it won't be producing leaves now.
Reply or Post a new comment
30 Jan 11, Alison (Australia - temperate climate)
It says on the page above, that if you cut off the plant at the base once it goes to flower, it will regrow, so maybe you don't need to pull the whole plant out?
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 111 - 120 of 187 comments
See comments for all plants

As far as Aphids go I have a small thistle (don't know the name of it) with yellow flowers which if left to seed have a white fluffy seed nest. This plant attracts the Aphids which in turn leave my veggies alone. Every couple of days I will rub my hands along the stems and squash the little critters. I let this plant go to seed and the seeds come up where ever they want too. Also I have a home made Garlick spray which helps to deter quite a few bugs (however it will also deter bees). Try allowing some weeds grow around the plants, I have found that the pests get a little confused and go away. Keep control of the weeds and only have a thin layer. Do a little companion planting also helps. Other that this, I let the birds and lizards take care of the garden. Good luck.

- Max Crichton

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.