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 S S S S S S S S S S S
T T T T T T T T T T T T
P P P P P     P P P P P

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in Australia - sub-tropical 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

27 Apr 16, Daniel (Australia - temperate climate)
Potting mix may not have enough nitrogen and water holding capacity for silverbeet. Cow manure and compost may be better. A side application of manure may encourage some growth.
09 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello. I have a question, i have a silverbeet plant in my garden , i have had this plant growing for over one year, The stem is as thick as my wrist, and its still producing the leaves , should i still eat the silverbeet or pull it out , Regards Vera fisher
12 Apr 16, Cassie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Vera, they are supposed to be biennial (ie flower in the second year) but i just keep pulling off leaves and eating them. I've had them grow to 2m, branched and ugly but as long as the leaves arent bitter I still use it.
13 Apr 16, Vera (Australia - temperate climate)
Thank you Cassie I will steam some up and taste to see if bitter, if so then i will start from scratch with new seedlings . Vera
08 Dec 15, bill (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow all my vegetables in 200liter drums which I have cut into 3sections . I use lucerne chaff and cow manure which I mix to togeather . I find silverbeet growes very well in the rich mixture along wih all my other vegetabls .
23 Oct 15, Ruth Tomlin (Australia - temperate climate)
I grow silverbeet in a polystyrene box, and it only grows a few inches high, but I pull off the outer leaves for salad or to cook. I have 12 plants growing in the box. I give it seasol each week and it is growing very well! I also grow lettuces, kale, cabbages an broad beans in polystyrene boxes! No dig gardening!
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.
24 Oct 15, Teesha (Australia - temperate climate)
Lots of sun!
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?
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
Showing 71 - 80 of 187 comments

Hi All, Just wondering, i have had silverbeet growing in a raised garden bed for about 5 months, but it doesn't seem to grow taller than 5 inches and a few small leaves at a time. Hardly enough to eat. It gets sun most of the day, watered daily and seasol every few weeks. Any advice on how to make it grow better would be great. Thanks Michael

- Michael

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