When to Plant Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) in Alice Springs, Arid / Semi-Arid Guide

Sow year round in Alice Springs. That includes right now, in September.

Also called chard, Swiss chard.

Published · Last reviewed · By Garden Buddy
Growing advice is reviewed by hand. Planting dates, current conditions and prices on this page update daily.

This Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) guide is written for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, which takes in Alice Springs, Broken Hill and Port Augusta. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Melbourne Canberra Perth

Also handy: will it frost this week? and what grows in shade.

Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Silverbeet (called Swiss chard elsewhere in the world) is arguably Australia's most reliable and productive leafy green. It grows in every Australian climate zone, tolerates heat and cold, produces for 8-12 months per planting, and is genuinely low-maintenance. Available in traditional white-stemmed forms and colourful rainbow varieties. A staple of Australian home gardens for generations.

Planting Calendar for Arid / Semi-Arid

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T S/T S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D S/T/D

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

You can sow silverbeet (swiss chard) in any month in Arid / Semi-Arid, but the months are not equal. Summer heat brings faster bolting and heavier pest pressure, so pick a heat tolerant variety, sow little and often, and give afternoon shade from December through February.

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Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 22.7°C (optimal range: 10–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

Modelled from Open-Meteo forecast (Alice Springs), not a live sensor.

How to Grow Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) in Arid / Semi-Arid Australia

When to Plant

Year-round with irrigation. Autumn planting optimal. Shade in summer.

Soil
Rich, well-drained soil with plenty of compost. Deep roots (90-120cm) mean it benefits from deep soil preparation. Tolerates a range of soil types.
pH Range
6.0-7.5
Sunlight
Full sun in cool climates. Part shade tolerated and beneficial in warm zones. Minimum 4 hours sun.
Spacing
35cm apart, 45cm between rows
Watering
Deep watering 2-3 times per week. Deep roots mean it handles short dry spells well once established. Consistent moisture produces the most tender stalks.

Companion plants: Bean, Onion, Lettuce, Cabbage, Lavender

Avoid planting near: Corn (competes for nutrients), Potato

Arid / Semi-Arid Growing Tips for Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)

Recommended Varieties

  • Fordhook Giant
  • Lucullus
  • Rainbow Chard

Key Challenges

  • Extreme heat reduces leaf quality
  • Water demand
  • Powdery mildew in dry conditions

Pro Tips

  • More heat-tolerant than spinach, lettuce, or kale
  • Shade cloth (30-50%) in summer extends quality
  • Deep roots mean it tolerates dry spells better than shallow-rooted greens

Harvesting Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)

When ready: Leaves are 20-30cm long with firm, thick stems. Bright colour. Snap cleanly when bent. Harvest outer leaves first.

How to harvest: Cut or snap outer leaves at the base, leaving the central growing point and inner leaves. Always harvest from the outside in. Never cut the centre out.

Where to next

What silverbeet costs in the shops right now, retailer by retailer, updated daily.

Also worth sowing in the arid and semi-arid zone this September: Ginger, Chilli Peppers, Lemongrass and Beetroot.

The pest most likely to find your silverbeet: Common Garden Snail.

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Common Questions About Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)

When do you plant silverbeet in Australia?

It depends on your climate zone, not the calendar month alone. Planting months by zone:

Does silverbeet grow all year round in Alice Springs?

Yes, every month is on the calendar for the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, though not every month is equally easy.

What else is silverbeet called?

Silverbeet is the usual Australian name. Overseas seed packets and recipes call it chard, Swiss chard. Same plant, same growing advice.

Which zone am I in?

Type your postcode into the box under the heading and the page tells you, and links this crop in your own zone if it differs. Or look it up on the grow zone map. This page is the Arid / Semi-Arid zone, Alice Springs is its reference city.