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

Could you please help me I have grown fordhook over the years with no problem however just recently It starts off well then goes droopy even flat along the ground not through lack of water.Regards Ron.

- ron

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