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            
      T T T T          
      P P P P          

(Best months for growing Silverbeet in Australia - 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 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

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 .
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?
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.
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?
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.
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,
27 Aug 14, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
Try neem oil and dr bronners sal suds
14 Aug 14, Miss Ryan (Australia - temperate climate)
I have been growing silverbeet in my classroom for our school garden. They were in a small germination containers and were just recently repotted. Since repotting them they seem to be dying and I don't know what to do? Anyone have some suggestions on how to save them?
14 Aug 14, (Australia - arid climate)
try lots of water and a spray with a dilute liquid seaweed fertilizer
02 Jun 14, Jacinta (Australia - temperate climate)
I have silverbeet or rainbow chard growing in mostly shade. It's been there for about 3-4 years and just keeps going and going!
Showing 81 - 90 of 187 comments

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