Broccoli Seeds - Raab - Spring Rapini (Organic)

Growing Organic Spring Raab Rapini Broccoli Garden Seeds

Sowing & Growing:

In northern regions, direct sow Organic Spring Raab Rapini Broccoli seeds in spring as soon as the soil is workable to 40° or in 4-6 weeks after your region's final frost. You can also plant rapini seeds in late summer for an early autumn harvest or in southern regions, broccoli rabe can overwinter and grow back in the spring. Sow Organic Spring Raab Rapini Broccoli seeds ¼-1/2" deep, 1-2" apart and with 18-24" spaced in between rows. Once the seedlings have grown 2" high or developed 1 set of true leaves, thin spring rapini plants 4-6" apart. Germination will take 7-21 days. These non-GMO rapini seeds can survive a light frost and don't do well in heat. Temperatures exceeding 70° will cause rapini plants to bolt. Organic Spring Rapini Broccoli seeds prefer a rich, well-draining soil with an added compost and a pH level of 6.0-7.5. Keep young rapini plants" soil moist by watering 1" per week and placing them in full sun. It's recommended to use row covers to help control weeds and protect the younger plants. Whether you're a beginner gardener or have a generous green thumb, rapini provides a wide range of unique flavor profiles. From a slight cabbage, to a nutty or verdant flavor, allow your taste buds to open up! The more pungent green tones of broccoli rabe can be reduced by either blanching or by cooking it with lemon.

Harvesting:

Harvest Organic Spring Raab Rapini Broccoli 40-45 days from the sowing date or once the plants have grown 10-15" tall. Even though some varieties take longer to reach full maturity, this fast growing Spring rapini seed will be ready sooner than the 60 day limit. Make sure to harvest before the bright-green buds begin to bloom. Cool season broccoli rabe easily regrows and survives a couple rounds of harvesting by using the recommended "cut and come again" method. First cut the larger outer leaves with gardening shears in order to help promote new growth and more crop production. You can start to harvest the leaves and tender side shoots around 35 days from the sowing date.

Facts:

Cruciferous vegetables have an extensive family of hybrid plant cultivations, which is why cruciferae are unique, but often mistaken for the wrong relative. Rapini crops originated as an herb from regions in Ancient China and the Mediterranean. Turnips and broccoli are both members of the large brassicaceae family, making Spring rapini a distant cousin to broccoli.

As another unique member of the brassicaceae family, Spring Raab Rapini Broccoli plants are cruciferous with tender shoots and bright-green buds, both of which can be cooked or eaten fresh. Organic Broccoli Rabe is also mistaken for broccolini due to its smaller size and growing conditions, however; rapini can survive the cooler temperatures better than broccolini plants. Any kind of gardener can easily grow a generous rapini crop with mini florets, side shoots, and lots of bush-shaped leaves.