Heirloom Silverbeet: Ruby Red
Love Grow Eat
$4.00
Silverbeet Ruby Red is as attractive as it is delicious, and it is an abundant, reliable producer of kitchen greens. The crinkly leaves are dark green, and the leaf stems and veins are red, helping provide an eye-catching appearance. It is also a good variety for growing baby leaves and suitable for continuous cutting once established, making it a long season vegetable.
It can be used in pies and stocks or steamed for a delicious and nutritious side dish. The young leaves can be eaten raw, and it can be frozen for later use. Grow extra to feed your chickens and they will have amazing golden egg yolks.
It is preferable to direct sow the seeds for most of the year, but they can be started in seed trays in winter, for an early spring planting. Plant in well-draining, rich, light soil, in full sun position and prepare your planting area by turning over soil under to a depth of 20cm. Level with a rake to remove any clumps of grass or debris. Sow about 30cm apart and cover with 1cm fine soil. Compress seeds lightly into the soil and keep the soil moist but not saturated. Your seedlings will emerge in about 7-14 days.