How to Grow Broccoli Rabe in Your Home Garden

Broccoli rabe, also known as rapini, grows best in cool weather—in the heat of summer, the plant will bolt, shooting up flowers and spoiling the flavor. For best results and the longest growing season, plant your broccoli rabe in early spring, as soon as you can work the soil in your vegetable garden.

1. 1. Prepare the soil bed. Broccoli rabe does best in full sun, so choose a spot that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Broccoli rabe doesn’t require heavy fertilization and will grow best in well-draining soil rich in organic matter.
2. 2. Sow the seeds. Sow seeds about a quarter-inch deep, two inches apart, and in rows eight inches apart.
3. 3. Water. Broccoli rabe requires routine watering to successfully grow. Keep the soil evenly moist as your seeds germinate.
4. 4. Thin. Once the seedlings are two inches high, use shears to thin the seedlings out so that seedlings are four inches apart. Thinning the seedlings gives the plant more room to grow and prevents them from competing with nearby plants for nutrients.

Broccoli rabe is a simple-to-care-for plant:

1. 1. Water: Broccoli rabe enjoys moderate water, so keep the soil evenly moist as it grows. Allow the soil to dry between watering to prevent overwatering which can lead to root rot.
2. 2. Prune: Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients, so pull weeds around your broccoli rabe to avoid competition. Consider spreading mulch around the area to suppress weeds before they sprout.
3. 3. Protect: Broccoli rabe can be a target for many common garden pests, including aphids, cabbage worms, and cutworms. Consider companion planting or natural pesticides to deter harmful insects.

Harvesting broccoli rabe is a simple process. Once the sprouts are an inch wide and just beginning to flower (as soon as 35 days), simply trim off the leaves and buds as needed, or cut the plants off a few inches above the ground. Leave the rest of the plant in your garden to sprout again, and it will continue producing leaves and buds to harvest.

Be sure to harvest all of your broccoli rabe before the weather gets too hot (usually above 75 degrees Fahrenheit). Hot weather will cause the plant to bolt. Bolting occurs when the plant goes into survival mode and uses all of its energy to produce new flowers and seeds, rendering the rest of the plant flavorless or bitter.

Grow your own food with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community - and the world - a better place.