When to Plant Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) in Melbourne, Cool Temperate Guide

Sow July to April. Right now in September you can sow.

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 Cool Temperate zone, which takes in Melbourne, Hobart and Geelong. Somewhere else? Your postcode picks the right one.

Not your zone? Cairns Brisbane Sydney Canberra Alice Springs 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 Cool Temperate

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

S = Seed Tray   T = Transplant   D = Direct Sow

Want a nudge when it is Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) sowing time in Melbourne?

One email a week with what is worth planting in the Cool Temperate zone right now, Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) included, plus which veg has jumped in price at the supermarket. Free, and you can stop it in one click.

Current Growing Conditions

Soil temperature: 13.1°C (optimal range: 10–30°C) ✓ Ready to plant

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

How to Grow Silverbeet (Swiss Chard) in Cool Temperate Australia

When to Plant

Year-round except mid-winter (June-July when germination is slow). Frost-hardy once established.

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

Cool Temperate Growing Tips for Silverbeet (Swiss Chard)

Recommended Varieties

  • Fordhook Giant
  • Rainbow Chard
  • Lucullus
  • White Silver

Key Challenges

  • Slow growth in deep winter
  • Downy mildew in cool wet spells
  • Bolt risk in second spring

Pro Tips

  • Silverbeet handles Melbourne's climate superbly year-round
  • Frost doesn't kill it; leaves may look ragged but new growth appears
  • Replace in autumn of second year when plants try to bolt

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 cool temperate zone this September: Ginger, Sweet Corn, Chilli Peppers and Snow Peas.

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

Get the Full Interactive Guide

Track your garden, get real-time pest alerts, and plan around your zone's weather.

Open the planting dashboard Join Garden Buddy

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 Melbourne?

No. In the Cool Temperate zone the planting months are Jan to Apr, Jul to Dec. Outside that window it either bolts, sulks or gets cut down by the weather.

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 Cool Temperate zone, Melbourne is its reference city.