Silverbeet Growing Guide: from seed to kitchen

How to Grow Silverbeet

The essential guide to growing Silverbeet (Beta vulgaris) from seed; with notes on germination, cultivation, harvest and even kitchen uses. Also known as Swiss Chard.

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Meet the silverbeet line-up:

• Classic white-ribbed types – ‘Fordhook Giant’, ‘Large White Rib’. Broad ivory stems and deep-green, savoyed leaves. Mild, slightly earthy flavour; steam, braise or use instead of spinach in pies.
• Coloured stems – Ranbow Chard has a mix of reds, oranges, yellows and pinks which add pizzazzto your plate and garden. Slightly sweeter stems; sauté, pickle or chop into risotto for colour.

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Ave. Seeds per Gram: 50 – 70 seeds

Germination Temperature: 10 – 30 °C; emergence in 5 – 10 days.

Feed Requirements:

• Low, yet sweeter leaves follow a light dressing of compost.
• Side-dress with compost or a nitrogen-rich liquid feed if growth flags.

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Growing Notes:

Climate & Timing

Sow year-round in most Australian zones, avoiding mid-winter frost pockets and mid-summer extremes in the tropics. 

Sowing & Spacing

• Direct-sow or transplant.
• Sow 10-15 mm deep.
• Thin/plant 20 – 35 cm apart in rows 50 – 60 cm apart. Eat the thinnings as baby greens.

Site & Soil

• Full sun (≥ 6 hrs).
• Free-draining, compost-rich loam (pH ≥ 6).
• Suitable for 40 L+ containers; use quality potting mix and keep evenly moist.

Care

• Mulch to conserve water and deter weeds.
• Water when top 5 cm of soil is dry. 
• Snap off outer leaves regularly to stimulate fresh growth and remove any flower spikes to prolong harvest.

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Common Problems & Fixes:

• Slugs & snails chew seedlings – bait, trap or hand-pick at dusk.
• Downy mildew & bacterial leaf spot appear as blotches – water at soil level, space plants for airflow and remove affected leaves.
• Bolting in heat – mulch heavily and keep moisture consistent.
• Boron deficiency shows hollow stems – one-off drench with 1 tbsp household borax in 5 L water when seedlings are 5 – 10 cm tall.

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Harvesting & Storage Notes:

• 50 – 90 days after sowing.
• Harvest mature outer leaves by cutting flush at the base; leave the central cluster to keep plants productive.
• For baby-leaf salads start picking at 20 cm tall.
• Regular picking yields for 6 – 9 months.
• Store washed leaves in a perforated bag in the fridge for up to a week, or blanch and freeze for winter soups.

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Enjoy silverbeet’s dependable greens through lean seasons – whether bright-stemmed for colour or classic white for tradition, there’s always a leaf ready for the pan.