Your comments and tips

29 Jan 20, Jude Webber (New Zealand - temperate climate)

I have young rainbow beet plants about 20cms high that are being chewed through at base of stem? I have Blitzem pellets on the garden. What could be eating these plants?

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20 Dec 16, Joan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

My silver beet always gets black spots on the stems that gradually infect the leaves as well, no matter in which part if the garden I plant it. I have never sprayed it. I just keep on hoping. if This year the new immature stems are already spotted, and to us the stems are just as yummy as the leaves. Not sure if mid north coast NSW is actually temperate or sub tropical. Any advice? Thanks!

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26 Feb 14, Ray Raymond (Australia - temperate climate)

I went to a lot of trouble to keep bugs out, built a fully enclosed area with shade cloth specially to grow silverbeet, get's plenty of sun, water and fertiliser yet i'm inundated with bugs that eat the leaves, i have come to realise that when purchasing the seedlings the eggs/larvae must have been on the seedlings and come with them from the supplier, this also happened to me with all the tomato plants i purchased, had to dispose of them it was so bad.

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11 Dec 12, David (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi vicki have you found what the black spots area and if ones can treat ? Cheers David.

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30 Oct 09, Tim (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi, I have some coloured silverbeet in punnet trays that I want to plant out - it is quite leggy, maybe 2.5 cm or so to first leaves. Anyone know if the stems can be buried up to the first leaves like broccoli etc or should I leave the stems above the ground as they are?

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10 Sep 09, floody (Australia - tropical climate)

i just had the best crop of beet ever. plenty of chook poo in the soil and blood and bone mixed up in styro vege boxes with water every arvo .

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16 Aug 09, Ray (Australia - tropical climate)

I have a lovely crop of silverbeet growing but when we cook/steam it, it goes black and looks unedible. Never have this problem with bought silverbeet. Tried different cooking times but still goes black

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29 Aug 10, jaime (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

we boil ours, but if you add bicarb soda to the water, they'll keep their colour. steaming is probably the worst thing to do with leafy vegies. cause it creates a humid environment, they just wilt and go horrible. thats why i have to grow mine in winter.hope that helps!1

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04 Aug 09, Sylvia (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Silverbeet/chard Mediterranean style: chop & steam the stalks gently until tender, then add the roughly chopped or torn leaves. Cover the pot, turn off the heat, then leave a couple of minutes until the leaves are wilted. Drain then toss through a splash of good olive oil, pinch of salt, black pepper, then a squeeze of lemon or lime. Serve warm or cold. Magnifico!! Also great the next day fried gently with eggs mixed in.

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21 Jun 09, Colin (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Cooking silverbeet, wash thinly shred whole leaf, stem and all, wash and cook/steam until ready. No need for extra water if just washed. Drain well and chop in colander with saucer or blade, add salt and pepper to taste , good knob of butter and splash of brown vinegar. Delicious. I am a cook by trade and this is my preferred way, never used nutmeg or milk.Enjoy

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