{"product_id":"broccoli-raab-rapini-heirloom-seeds","title":"Broccoli Raab (Rapini), Heirloom Seeds","description":"\u003ch2\u003eBroccoli Raab (Rapini) — The Ancient Italian Bitter Green That Bolts Fast, Harvests Faster, and Keeps Coming Back\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOriginating as an herb from Ancient China and the Mediterranean, Broccoli Raab (\u003cem\u003eBrassica rapa\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003eitalica\u003c\/em\u003e) — also known as Rapini, Broccoli Rabe, Broccoletto, and Raabe — is a cornerstone of Italian cuisine and one of the fastest cool-season greens you can grow. Despite the name, rapini is more closely related to turnips than to broccoli, and it shows in the flavor: pungent, verdant, with cabbage and nutty tones that are complex and deeply satisfying. No central head — instead, clusters of bright-green mini florets, tender leaves, and side shoots, all edible raw or cooked. Bolts above 70°F, so timing is everything — spring or fall only. Blanch or cook with lemon to reduce the more pungent green tones. 40–60 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eWhy Grow Broccoli Raab?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAncient Mediterranean and Chinese heritage\u003c\/strong\u003e — cultivated for centuries as a culinary and medicinal herb\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePungent, complex flavor\u003c\/strong\u003e — cabbage, nutty, and verdant tones; blanch or add lemon to mellow bitterness\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNo central head\u003c\/strong\u003e — clusters of bright-green mini florets, tender leaves, and side shoots all edible\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCut-and-come-again\u003c\/strong\u003e — regrows after harvest; multiple rounds of picking from one planting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eExtraordinarily nutritious\u003c\/strong\u003e — high in vitamins A, C, and K, plus potassium, calcium, and iron\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFast-growing\u003c\/strong\u003e — leaves and shoots harvestable at 35 days; full maturity at 40–60 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOpen-pollinated heirloom\u003c\/strong\u003e — save seed year after year\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003eGrowing Notes\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eDirect sow in spring as soon as soil is workable (40°F+), or in late summer for an early autumn harvest. In southern regions, broccoli rabe can overwinter and grow back in spring. Sow ¼–½ inch deep, 1–2 inches apart, in rows 18–24 inches apart. Thin to 4–6 inches once seedlings reach 2 inches tall or develop one set of true leaves. Germination takes 7–21 days. Keep soil moist — water 1 inch per week. Full sun to partial shade. Prefers rich, well-draining soil with compost, pH 6.0–7.5. Use row covers to control weeds and protect young plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Begin harvesting leaves and tender side shoots at 35 days. Harvest the main plant at 40–45 days when 10–15 inches tall — before the bright-green buds begin to bloom. Use the cut-and-come-again method: cut larger outer leaves first to promote new growth. Rapini easily regrows for multiple harvests. \u003cstrong\u003eBolts above 70°F\u003c\/strong\u003e — spring and fall planting only.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulinary tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Blanch briefly to reduce bitterness, or cook with lemon juice to mellow the pungent green tones. Classic preparation: sauté with garlic and olive oil, finish with lemon.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDays to Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e40–60 days (shoots at 35 days)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7–21 days\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest Height\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e10–15 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePungent, verdant, cabbage and nutty tones\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eColor\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMini bright-green florets, leaves, and side shoots\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest Uses\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSautéing, pasta, grilled meats, Italian cuisine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting Depth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e¼–½ inch\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–6 inches (thin from 1–2 inches)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRow Spacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e18–24 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRich with compost, well-draining, pH 6.0–7.5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCool to warm; bolts above 70°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun to partial shade\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUSDA Zones\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–10\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlso Known As\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRapini, Broccoli Rabe, Broccoletto, Raabe, Spring Rapini\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAncient China and Mediterranean\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\n\u003cem\u003eBrassica rapa\u003c\/em\u003e var. \u003cem\u003eitalica\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHeirloom, Open-Pollinated, Non-GMO, Annual\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\u003c\/table\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePacked and shipped by Box Garden Seeds LLC — heirloom seeds grown without GMOs, selected for flavor, resilience, and your garden’s success.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","offers":[{"title":"2g \/ ~200+ Seeds","offer_id":41712365371526,"sku":"ABS-97-624-2029","price":3.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/2669\/3330\/files\/il_fullxfull.7658497973_j4f8.jpg?v=1770127451","url":"https:\/\/bgseedsllc.com\/products\/broccoli-raab-rapini-heirloom-seeds","provider":"Box Garden Seeds LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}