There comes a time when we need to boost our confidence a little bit. A small success is often all we need to get into a rhythm and, once again, reach our own high standards. Fortunately for edible gardeners, there is a plant called silverbeet – the ultimate gardening rebound.
Silverbeet, known in North America as Swiss chard, is a robust and diplomatic leafy green that is decisively neutral to the seasons. It can be planted all-year-round, provided the environment isn’t extremely hot or cold, so it’s a ready tenant whenever new garden real estate becomes available. For us, however, we like to use all our available space for summer veggies during the hot months, so at the Little Veggie Patch Co silverbeet has become a de facto winter crop.
Although it is part of the beet family, silverbeet does not have an edible root bulb (or any root bulb for that matter), but does come in a variety of colours that would suitably impress the fussiest of peacocks. Rainbow chard has stalks so colourful you will wonder if you haven’t stepped out of your garden and into Chagall’s studio. A single plant should steadily produce for 12 months or more. It’s so safe and reliable … so Swiss.
PLANTING
Sow seeds directly to the patch if conditions are mild/warm, otherwise propagate in a seed tray and then transplant to the patch when seedlings are 4 weeks old. Make sure to keep watering up to both seeds and seedlings – always in the morning – as young leafy greens are delicate to both the sun and snails/slugs.
WATERING
In ground: Water daily for the first 4 weeks and 3-4 times a week in the absence of rainfall thereafter. More frequent watering may be required during the warmer times of the year.
In Pots: Water daily while establishing and for the entirety of the warm season, otherwise every second day – after they are 4 weeks old – if growing during the cooler times of the year.
MAINTENANCE
Propagate in a seed tray 4 weeks prior to planting and prepare the patch with plenty of compost.
Transplant into the patch on a day that is not too hot or too cold and space out at half of that required for mature plants.
After about two months thin out seedlings to required spacing and mulch with pea straw, lucerne hay or sugar cane to a depth of 3–5cm,
After about 10 weeks, begin to harvest leaf by leaf in moderation, picking from the more mature outer leaves and then working your way in.
After 16 weeks production should be in full swing. Continue to take leaf by leaf, but more regularly. Plants can be picked for over a year and will become the powerhouse of the patch. They are indestructible now. Even when they go to seed, the flavour of the foliage stays consistent.
HARVESTING
Time until first harvest: 75+ days
How to harvest: Pick leaf by leaf in moderation, picking from the more mature outer leaves and then working your way in. Leave enough foliage so that the plant can regenerate.
TIP
Silverbeet is one of the enduring and everlasting leafy greens. Try to harvest often to maintain more tender leaves. However, even when the plant goes to seed, the leaves do not turn bitter like others. The main issue with seeding silverbeet is the size they grow and the space they begin to occupy, though this may take 12 months to happen.
