Rapini or Broccoli Raab or Rabe Seed
Broccoli Raab is essentially a turnip, from the same family of plants that we get cabbage and broccoli--Brassica. Instead of growing for the root like most turnips, this plant is instead grown for the flavorful shoots, similar in look and flavor to broccoli, which is why the Italians sometimes refer to it as Broccoletti. Cultivation is similar to broccoli, aimed for cooler temperatures. Germination can be slow. For spring, plant 1/4 inch deep 5-6 weeks before transplanting, generally around time of last frost. For fall, start mid summer, timing crop to mature before cold weather. Rapini needs a rich soil and consistent moisture and is frost tolerant. Best germination is at soil temperatures of 55-75 F.
