Spring Raab Broccoli is a compact, open-pollinated variety of Brassica rapa that delivers tender stems and side shoots ready to harvest in just 42 days from transplants. This frost-tolerant vegetable thrives in cool-season gardens, producing multiple harvests of 4 to 8-inch stems that can be cut repeatedly to encourage continued production throughout the season. Its efficiency and quick maturity make it a reliable choice for gardeners looking to maximize yields in a short growing window.
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Moderate
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Moderate
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Spring Raab produces harvestable stems just six weeks after transplanting, and what truly sets it apart is the extended harvest window: cut the central head first, then return every few days in warm weather to gather new side shoots that keep emerging. The compact growth habit means it needs only 18 inches of spacing between plants, fitting easily into smaller garden beds or containers. Its frost tolerance means you can plant earlier in spring and extend harvests into cool fall weather.
This broccoli rabe relative is harvested for its tender stems and side shoots, which are cut before the flower buds open and bunched or sold loose. The 4 to 8-inch stem segments are prepared much like traditional broccoli rabe, steamed, sautéed, or roasted. Continuous harvesting of emerging side shoots encourages the plant to keep producing, making it an efficient crop for both home and market gardeners seeking repeated yields from a single planting.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Sow 2 seeds per cell in 72-cell plug flats or 3 to 4 seeds per inch in 20-row flats, pressing seeds ¼ inch deep into moist soil. Maintain soil temperature at 75 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit until germination, then reduce air temperature to about 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Provide good air circulation and abundant light. Seedlings are ready to transplant in 3 to 4 weeks.
Transplant seedlings into the garden when they have developed true leaves and are sturdy enough to handle. Space plants 18 inches apart, allowing rows to be 18 to 36 inches apart. Plant into well-amended, fertile soil with consistent moisture available.
Cut the central head stem and side shoots before the flower buds open, harvesting stems 4 to 8 inches in length. After the initial harvest, return to gather emerging side shoots every 2 to 3 days during warm weather or every 5 to 7 days in cool weather to maintain continuous production. Harvesting frequently encourages the plant to keep generating new shoots rather than bolting into flower.
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