Broccoli rabe is a unique vegetable to grow and not one commonly seen as part of people’s vegetable garden ideas. Despite being lesser-known, and rather confusingly going by many different names, it is a speedy crop to grow and you can get multiple harvests a year.
Broccoli rabe is also known as broccoli raab or rapini. The entire plant is edible, from its central head and side shoots to the leaves and stems. It is worth discovering for anyone looking for new and interesting vegetables to plant in their garden.
I first learned about the crop when working as a gardener in the productive vegetable garden at Soho Farmhouse in the UK. The kitchen garden grew vegetables year-round for the on-site restaurants and broccoli rabe was a crop we harvested for the chefs throughout winter. Here is what I know about how to grow broccoli rabe, along with a few tips from an expert horticulturist.
What is broccoli rabe?
No matter what you call it, the crop resembles broccoli but is not part of the broccoli family - it is actually related to turnips. It is a fast-growing vegetable with edible buds and leaves with a distinctive bitter and nutty flavour. Broccoli rabe is rich in vitamins and commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Planting broccoli rabe - when and where
Broccoli rabe is a cool-weather vegetable and there are windows for planting broccoli rabe in both spring and late summer or early fall. The plants will bolt when the temperatures rise in summer so, when planning a seed sowing schedule, give broccoli rabe enough time to mature and provide a crop - especially if you live in a warmer US hardiness zone.
The frost dates for your location will impact when and where you sow broccoli rabe. While the crop does prefer being planted directly into the soil, you can start the vegetable indoors in cooler climates.
Amy Enfield, senior horticulturist at ScottsMiracle-Gro, recommends: ‘For spring planting, start seeds indoors about 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date or direct sow seeds in the garden about 4-6 weeks before the last expected frost date - or as soon as the soil can be worked.
‘For late summer or early fall planting, start seeds in late summer, 8-10 weeks before the first frost,’ adds Amy. A later sowing should give you harvests from mid-fall onwards.
Plant broccoli rabe in a sunny spot in the kitchen garden, ideally the crop wants at least six hours of sunlight a day. It can tolerate light shade and will prefer some protection in warmer climates.
The crop prefers a rich and well-draining soil type. Add some compost or well-rotted manure to the soil before planting to boost the fertility and provide the crop all the nutrients it needs for the season. Mulching around the plants is also beneficial to retain moisture in the soil and suppress competition from weeds.
How to grow broccoli rabe from seed
It is advantageous to sow seeds outdoors directly into the soil wherever possible. The plant has delicate roots and can be temperamental when you transplant seedlings. Direct sow the seeds a quarter-inch deep and 2-4 inches apart in rows 18-24 inches apart. Thin the seedlings to 4-6 inches apart when they are a couple of inches tall to give plants room to develop.
Sowing seeds indoors can be done successfully if you live in colder climates. Sow the seeds into large transplant trays or individual pots, putting 2-3 seeds into each cell or pot. Using larger cells or pots limits root disturbance while transplanting - biodegradable pots, available at Amazon, are recommended for the same reason, as you plant the pot.
Seeds will germinate well at temperatures of 60-75°F in a greenhouse or on a warm windowsill. Harden off the seedlings to adapt them to outdoor conditions and space the plants at least 12 inches apart.
Shop broccoli rabe seeds
A variety that matures very quickly from seed and produces green shoots with a captivating flavor.
Early Fall thrives when planted in the early fall, but can be grown in the spring and summer as well.
A variety that produces uniform heads and reliable yield. The florets have blue-green leaves and a turnip-style, arrow shape.
Caring for broccoli rabe plants
The main maintenance task when growing broccoli rabe is to keep a close eye on watering plants. Amy Enfield recommends keeping the soil ‘consistently moist’ during the early stages of growth. ‘Aim for about 1-2 inches of water per week,’ she adds. ‘The soil should have the moisture consistency of a wrung-out sponge. If the soil is kept too wet, the plants will rot.’
Increase the watering during hot and dry weather and be careful how you water plants. Aim to water the base of the plant and do deep watering, soaking the foliage is a garden watering mistake that risks fungal disease and only watering lightly makes plants more susceptible to dry conditions. A soil moisture meter, available at Amazon, can help keep the soil evenly watered through the season.
Broccoli rabe will benefit from measures being put in place to protect the crop from pests, including aphids, flea beetles, slugs and snails, cutworms, and cabbage worms. The best preventative measures include using row covers to protect young plants and companion planting around the crop with aromatic herbs to deter pests. Insecticidal soap, available at Walmart, can be used to get rid of aphids.
Harvest broccoli rabe when the plants reach 12 inches tall and the heads are around an inch wide. Remove the heads with a sharp knife or pruning shears. Regular harvesting will encourage the growth of lots of side shoots.
A fine mesh row cover to protect plants from damage due to pests and birds. The fine mesh allows air and water to pass through to not affect the growth of plants.
FAQs
Can you grow broccoli rabe in pots?
If you wonder how to grow broccoli rabe in containers, the great news is that the crop can successfully be grown as part of any vegetable container garden ideas. Plant the crop in a large container at least 24 inches wide and deep, with holes in the bottom for drainage. Fill the container, or grow bag, with a good quality potting mix and either sow seeds directly or transplant seedlings into the pot. Place the pot in a sunny spot and monitor it closely as watering plants in containers must be done more often than in the ground.
How long does it take to grow broccoli rabe?
Broccoli rabe is a fast-growing vegetable that takes 40-90 days to go from sowing to reaching maturity. The exact time will depend on the variety and the weather throughout the growing season.
Another unusual crop similar to broccoli is broccolini. This vegetable is a hybrid between European broccoli and Chinese broccoli and is also known by names such as gai lan, aspabroc, tender stem broccoli, or baby broccoli. Plants produce a mass of small shoots to harvest and can be super-productive. I grew broccolini for chefs at a Michelin-starred restaurant and wrote this guide for H&G on how to grow broccolini in backyard vegetable gardens.
