Broccoli Rabe

Broccoli rabe generally prefers cool conditions. The plant grows similarly to broccoli and will produce a series of new harvestable shoots, so the growers can usually harvest two or three times from the same plant. Broccoli rabe is susceptible to the same problems as other cruciferous vegetables, and cabbage worms and snails seem to cause the most trouble.

PHOTO: cbertel/Flickr

Size: About 12 inches tall

Sunlight requirements: Partial shade

Water requirements: Keep soil moist

Soil requirements: Moist, fertile soil, enriched before planting, with pH level between 6.5 and 7.5

When to plant: Spring

Where to plant: A site that’s protected from strong winds and heat

When to harvest: Cut stems 6 inches long before flower buds open

Produce storage: Place unwashed shoots in plastic bag, and keep in refrigerator for up to three days

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