Growing Rapini (Broccoli Rabe) - Benefits and Instructions
Benefits of Growing Rapini (Broccoli Rabe)
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Medicinal- Health benefits of broccoli rabe, including reducing cardiovascular risk, strengthening bone mineral density, preventing certain cancers and managing blood sugar levels.
- Nutritional Profile - Plant based source of omega fatty acids, vitamin C, K and A. Rapini also contains calcium and potassium.
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Use in: Soups, stews, pasta, braised, grilled, pickled. pizza.
Growing Instructions
Culture:
Sun Exposure: Full sun or partial shade.
Soil: Well drained, fertile soil rich in organic matter. Add plenty of manure, or compost prior to planting.
Moisture: Rapini prefers consistently moist soil. Mulching will help retain moisture levels, temperature and keep weeds down.
Planting: Rapini can be grown from early spring to fall, but it often gets more bitter in hot weather. Rapini is best started direct from seed in the garden after all signs of frost are gone.
Spacing: Plant 1 rapini plant per square foot of growing space using Square Foot Gardening Method. Or plant in rows 10-12 inches apart.
Sow seeds: Plant seeds 1/8-1/4 inch deep
Harvesting:
Harvest rapini when plants are 1 to 2 feet tall, and flower buds have just begun to appear. Keep a keen eye on plants, however, as they bolt extremely quick. Using a pair of clean and sharp garden shears, cut the stem 5 inches below the bud. Trimming broccoli rabe down to the ground after the first harvest is not recommended. After you cut the first shoot, the plant will grow another small shoot that is also edible. This can be harvested later in the season.
Storage/Preparation:
Rapini should be wrapped in a plastic bag and refrigerated for up to 3 days. It’s best to use it right away. Rapini freezes well either raw or blanched and can be pickled as well.
Companions:
Cucumber, beet, carrot, spinach, eggplant.