vegetable · leafy green

Silverbeet

One plant, months of picking. Take the outside leaves and leave the centre growing — silverbeet keeps going long after most greens have given up.

Silverbeet seedling
Seedling
Mature Silverbeet
Ready to pick
Thrives
10–20°C
Water
Medium
Difficulty
Beginner
Ready in
42–70  days
Spacing
30cm apart
Containers
Yes

How to plant it

  • Plant the seedlings 30cm apart. They get bigger than people expect, and crowded silverbeet stays small and stringy.
  • Firm the soil around the roots and water it in well.
  • Pick the outside leaves from the base and leave the centre growing. Do that and one plant will feed you for months.
  • Keep the water up through dry spells, or the leaves toughen and lose their sweetness.
  • If it sends up a flower stalk it has bolted. Pick hard, enjoy what is left, and start another.