People often wonder as to when the best time is to harvest Broccoli rabe. Harvesting at the perfect time is necessary for some reason. Knowing how to harvest broccoli rabe at the perfect time is also of utmost importance to persons who grow the plant.
This is a short guide that should be followed if you plant Broccoli rabe to ensure that it is harvested at the right time. So, if you are interested in planting this very nutritious vegetable, this is the perfect guide on how to plant, nurture and harvest the plant.
There are some benefits that you will definitely get from growing and harvesting this plant at the most appropriate time.
What Is Broccoli Rabe?
Before we get into learning all there is to know about harvesting this highly nutritious vegetable, let’s deal briefly with what Broccoli rabe really is. Now let’s get into it.
If you are interested in eating very green cruciferous and highly nutritious vegetables or including some in your meal schedule, then there’s no better option than the Broccoli rabe. It is a green vegetable with very edible broad leaves, buds, and stems.
The plant is one that will continue to grow even after it has been pruned. You don’t need to worry about having just one harvest.
All that is required is that you don’t prone the vegetable to the root. After pruning from the stem, the plant will in no distant time begin to grow small shoot again.
The vegetable is very rich in iron, potassium, vitamins, magnesium, energy, and dietary fiber. So, for this reason, it is generally considered to be of huge nutritional benefits.
It also has huge economic benefits as virtually every part of the plant can be sold for money from the stalks to leaves and blossoms.
How To Grow Broccoli Rabe
Before we get into the harvesting stage for Broccoli rabe, it is very important to discuss how to grow this plant. Generally, the plant performs best in cool weather conditions.
Although the plant will grow in hot temperatures, the flavor is hugely affected under such conditions.
To achieve the best possible result, make sure to do the following when growing this vegetable:
Prepare the soil bed
Before you begin planting Broccoli rabe, you must take out time to prepare the
Read more about The Step By Step Process Of Growing Broccoli From Seed
Sow the seeds properly
It is very important you sow the seeds properly if you wish to attain the best possible result. Research has shown that the seeds of Broccoli rabe should not be planted too deep or too shallow. One-quarter of an inch deep should be just perfect.
Also, to ensure that there is no risk of over-crowding in the future, the vegetable should be planted in rows of about eight inches apart.
Continuous application of water
This plant requires continuous application of water for it to blossom properly at the right time. It is therefore imperative to have and observe a strict watering routine to help keep the
Watering is most important immediately after planting, before germination to help the seed break dormancy.
Expandable Flexible Watering Retractable Lightweight
Thinning and Pruning
Thinning is a process by which sufficient space is maintained between the seedlings after it has begun to sprout. Once the seedlings are about two inches high, you should use shears to thin the seedlings out. This is so that the seedlings become about four inches apart.
Pruning on the other hand is essential to reduce the presence of weeds that compete with the vegetable for available nutrients. You must do all within your power to reduce the presence of weeds from around the vegetable to get the best possible result with the vegetable.
Reduce the presence of pesticides
Broccoli rabe can very easily be a target for garden pests and insects. These can very easily harm the vegetable and affect the quality of its growth. Pests such as cabbage worms, aphids, cutworms should therefore be watched out for.
The use of pesticides, whether natural or artificial can help sort out this problem.
Harvesting Broccoli Rabe
Now you understand how much benefit you are likely to get from this vegetable and how to grow it, let’s delve into when is the best time to harvest the Broccoli Rabe plant.
Harvesting at the right time is a huge determining factor in how the vegetable turns out. Look out for these tips:
- Height: The best time to harvest the Broccoli rabe plant is when the plant is about 1 to 2 feet (about 31-61cm) tall. Once the flower has attained this height, be sure to know that the harvesting period is nearby.
- Flower: When the broccoli rabe flowers begin to sprout on the vegetable, this is another sign that they are mature for harvesting. The flowers need not blossom before harvesting. Once they begin to appear, that is the sign that the vegetable is ripe for harvesting.
How to Harvest Broccoli Rabe
Harvesting Broccoli rabe is relatively easy. All you need to do is confirm that the vegetable is matured enough for harvesting as explained above.
For harvesting, use a pair of clean and sharp garden shears, cut the stem 5 inches (13cm) below the bud.
When trimming the broccoli rabe, make sure not to trim it down to the ground so as to encourage fresh sprouting. You should also know that when the first shoot is removed, the plant will grow other smaller shoots that are also edible.
Learn more about When To Harvest Broccoli – How To Know When It’s Ready
FAQ’s
How do you know when broccoli rabe is ready to pick?
The trick is to look for the greens on the stalks and not the leaves. They are smaller than the leaves, and if they're ready to pick, the whole stalk will wilt.
But you should still pull the leaves off. If they're ready, the leaves will turn a bright green.
In short, broccoli rabe is ready to eat when the stems are crisp. That doesn't mean that you can't enjoy this leafy green in the early stages of development, but if you want the most tender bite out of it, you'll have to wait.
What's the difference between broccoli rabe and broccoli?
Broccoli rabe has more bite than broccoli. It's also called rapini or broccoli raab. It's a member of the brassica family. Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C. Broccoli rabe is often found in Italian cuisine and can be used in stir-fries, soups and pasta sauces.
Does broccoli rabe grow back?
Broccoli rabe grows back, but you’ll have to wait at least two months before you can harvest the new growth.
Are broccoli rabe leaves edible?
You can eat them if you're willing to cut off the very tip of the stem. They have a strong taste and some people say they're inedible.
But most people just toss them. I've been eating broccoli rabe for years now, and I love it! It's so much better than any other type of broccoli that I know of, and I think it's safe to eat. I like to boil it, but if you're new at cooking, just steam it until tender.
Is broccolini the same as broccoli rabe?
Broccoli rabe has more bite than broccoli. It's also called rapini or broccoli raab. It's a member of the brassica family. Broccoli is a member of the cabbage family. It’s also an excellent source of vitamin C. Broccoli rabe is often found in Italian cuisine and can be used in stir-fries, soups and pasta sauces.
Broccoli rabe is one of the most popular vegetables in the world and is widely used as a substitute for broccoli. However, broccoli rabe is actually the immature form of broccoli and should be cooked like broccoli (blanched and steamed) or tossed in pasta.
Do you cut the stems off broccoli rabe?
No, we just trim them.We just boil it until it gets soft. It takes about 20 minutes.
We use olive oil.We put it on our salad and make it into pasta sauce or soup. We also put it on pizza. You know if it’s done by the color. It goes from a dark green to a bright green. You can freeze it for about three months.
Broccoli rabe is a very hardy, nutritious vegetable that can be harvested throughout the growing season. When harvesting broccoli rabe, you want to choose young plants with small, tender leaves. Harvest when the outer leaves are still thin and tender and the inside leaves are becoming thick and tough. The stems of broccoli rabe are generally too tough to eat.
Conclusion On When To Harvest Broccoli Rabe
Now you have learned about the nutritional value of Broccoli rabe, and how the vegetable can be grown. It is very imperative to know when is the best time to harvest the vegetable. This has also been covered in this article.
Do well to put to practice the above when you are harvesting this highly nutritious vegetable.
Eunice is an enthusiastic gardener with a passion for growing beautiful flowers. She loves nothing more than spending time in her garden, tending to her plants and enjoying the outdoors. Eunice has been gardening for over 15 years and has developed a unique style of landscaping that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. She is especially fond of growing roses and enjoys experimenting with different varieties and colors. Eunice takes great pride in her garden and often shares the fruits of her labor with friends and family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading gardening magazines and attending local horticulture events. Eunice is passionate about her hobby and is always eager to share her knowledge and experience with others.
