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Silverbeet or Chard

Silverbeet Seeds
Silverbeet Seeds

One of the easiest vegetables to grow from seed or seedlings is Silverbeet, once it gets started it is easy care and productive.

Also known as Chard. it can be picked continuously and can be sown almost year round. This is a favourite green leafy vegetable easily grown in a humus rich well drained soil.

How to grow Silverbeet/Chard

Growing Silverbeet successfully requires a sunny position and can be grown almost year round in temperate areas of Australia. Prepare the soil well by digging in some well rotted compost and aged manure before planting. Rake over well to obtain a good even garden bed.

Sowing Seed

  • If starting from seed we suggest soaking the seeds overnight to improve and speed up germination.
  • Seeds can be sown directly or planted into punnets and started in a cold frame or greenhouse to give them some protection when young. Keep moist until they germinate.
  • Plant out when they reach around 7cm tall (3 inches)
  • Water well until established
Rainbow chard
Rainbow chard

Planting Seedlings

  • Readily available in a number or varieties and can be planted directly.
  • Again moisture until established is essential

Care

  • Keep weed free
  • Keep moist but not wet

Fertiliser

We use a liquid seaweed or fish emulsion fertiliser combined with some vermicaste from the worm farm, seems to work well. As these are a leafy vegetable we also use a nitrogenous fertilizer, Dynamic Lifter is one.

Harvesting

  • Ready for picking about 2-3 months after planting.
  • Harvest the outer leaves as they reach the right size and the inner leaves will be ready a few weeks later
  • Keep harvesting as long as the plant is productive

Silverbeet Varieties

  • Silverbeet is also known as Chard or Bietola. And our favourite varieties include:
  • Swiss Ruby Chard,
  • Green White ribbed Chard and
  • Verde a costa bianca all are easy to grow from seed.
  • Fordhook giant, a good strong growing type, a few smaller growing types are also available, perhaps more suited to container growing
Silverbeet 'Red Chard'
Silverbeet ‘Red Chard’

Silverbeet V Chard

Silverbeet as we often call it is also known as Chard, Swiss Chard and sometimes is simply called spinach. Rainbow Chard are the varieties with brightly coloured stalks, usually red or yellow to orange.

Silverbeet Summary Information

Botanical name – Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris
Common Name – Silverbeet / Swiss Chard

  1. Soil – Humus rich well drained and fertile.
  2. Position – Full sun to part shade in warmer climates.
  3. Climate – Cool to Temperate
  4. Frost Tolerant – Yes
  5. Fertiliser – Dig in aged cow manure and Bone Meal before planting.
  6. Spacing / Planting Distance – 12” (30 cm)
  7. Height – 45 cm
  8. Spread – 30 cm
  9. Growth Rate – Medium to fast.
  10. Water requirements – Medium water requirements, moist yet well drained.
  11. When to plant – Year round in good conditions. Protect from very hot sun.
  12. How to plant – Plant seeds directly, or sow indoors and plant seedlings out after hardening off, and before they become to large. Seeds can be soaked overnight to improve germination rates.
  13. Harvesting – Harvest the whole plant before the leaves become to course . You can pick leaves from the outside as they come large enough.
  14. Problems –
    Bolting – This occurs in warmer temperatures.
    Wilting, a little hot weather can cause plants to wilt, they will bounce back with adequate water.
  15. Pests and Diseases – Leaf miners, snails, slugs.
    Downey Mildew – This occurs in cool wet conditions particularly when air flow is poor. Some varieties are more resistant than others.
    A few leaf eating insects that can usually be removed by hand
    Rabbits (build a fence

Companion Plants – Onion, Lovage, Beetroot, Cabbage, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Eggplant, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Strawberry and Turnip.

Uses – Spinach is usually cooked. Excellent sauteed, steamed or as a substitute for spinach in traditional Spanakopita pie. The stalks are traditionally used in stews etc in Europe.

Problems

Very few, which is one of the joys of silverbeet

  • a few leaf eating insects that can usually be removed by hand
  • wilting, a little hot weather can cause plants to wilt, they will bounce back with adequate water
  • mildew, just make sure you have good air circulation
  • rabbits (build a fence)

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