Broccoli, Raab

Broccoli raab (also called rapini) isn't really broccoli—it's grown for its tender leaves and small flower buds that have a delicious, slightly bitter, peppery flavor. Quick-growing (40 days) and cold-tolerant, it's a spring and fall favorite in Italian cooking.

Broccoli: Grow the cruciferous powerhouse known for its exceptional nutritional profile, including cancer-fighting compounds and high Vitamin C content. This cold-hardy brassica produces dense, vitamin-packed main heads, with fall crops often developing superior flavor. After harvesting the primary head at the tight-bud stage, most varieties continue to yield tender, flavorful secondary side shoots for 4–6 weeks, extending your fresh harvest well into the season.

• Growing Tips: Transplant 2–4 weeks before the last frost for a spring crop or midsummer for a fall harvest, spacing plants 18–24 inches apart. Fall plantings are generally more successful and flavorful.

• Sun Requirements: Full sun, requiring a minimum of 6 hours daily for proper head development and disease resistance.

• Preferred Soil: Rich, well-drained, fertile soil with consistent moisture; optimal pH is 6.0–7.0. Broccoli is a heavy feeder and benefits from regular fertilization.

• Harvest Details: Cut the main head when the buds are tight and before yellow flowers emerge (typically 55–75 days after transplanting). Continue harvesting secondary side shoots at 3–4 inches for 4–6 additional weeks.