by johnah on October 31, 2020
Growing Broccoli Rabe: What You Need To Know About Growing Broccoli Rabe?
Broccoli rabe is one of the most popular vegetables in the world. It grows naturally in many parts of Europe, Asia and North America. The plant’s name comes from its red color. However, it is not only colorful but also nutritious too! Broccoli rabe can be grown successfully even if you live far away from a farm where it grows naturally.
The plants are easy to grow and produce large amounts of fresh green leaves. They have a long shelf life and can last up to ten years without any special care. The leaves are edible, rich in vitamins A, C, B6 and K2 (also known as coenzyme Q10) which helps your body fight disease. Broccoli rabe is also high in iron, potassium and fiber content.
It is very good source of manganese, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Broccoli rabe is also a great addition to your diet when eaten raw or cooked. Its flavor varies depending on the variety. Some varieties like ‘Cauliflower’ are milder than others such as ‘Brussel Sprouts’. Cooking broccoli rabe makes it taste sweeter and more flavorful.
Broccoli rabe tastes best when used in salads or stir fried with other vegetables.
Grow Your Own Broccoli Rabe At Home And Enjoy Fresh Vegetables Every Day!
The good thing about growing broccoli rabe is it is easy to grow. It grows great in small places such as a square foot garden, large containers on a balcony or indoors. It can also be sown in fields and harvested mechanically, this makes it a favorite among commercial growers.
You can start growing your own broccoli rabe at home by following these easy steps.
Step 1: Get the right seeds
Choose the best seeds that are fresh and free of mold or rancid odor. You can get the seeds from any grocery store, supermarket, farmers market or even online.
Step 2: Find the right container
Choose a container which has good drainage and is made of soil friendly material. Broccoli rabe grows best in large containers as compared to growing them in small pots. The plants become big and bulky and needs enough space for the roots to spread out.
Step 3: Plant the seeds
You can plant one seed per pot to have enough for harvest, or many seeds to have more harvest. Use a small dibble to make holes deep enough to bury the seed. Make sure to keep the seeds at the recommended sowing depth. Cover the seeds with soil, pat it gently and keep the pot in a well-lit area.
Step 4: Keep them watered
Keep the soil consistently moist but not wet. Water the potted plants when you see the topsoil becoming dry.
Step 5: Fertilize them
After the seedlings have grown their first “true leaves”, apply a light fertilizer. You can use a water-soluble mix or a slow-release fertilizer. Follow the directions on the package for the best results.
Step 6: Transplant them outdoors
Once the plants have 2 to 3 sets of true leaves, it is time to transplant them outside. Keep them where they’ll receive at least six hours of sunlight everyday.
These are some of the steps you need to follow if you want to grow good quality broccoli rabe plants that will provide a healthy harvest for your family.
You can also find a lot of online resources such as websites, blogs and forums which discuss different methods and strategies in growing healthy broccoli rabe plants. If you really want to learn all about growing broccoli rabe, simply perform an online search for “growing broccoli rabe” and you’ll be amazed with the results.
Recent years have seen a surge in interest in home grown vegetables. By following the advice listed here, you can take advantage of this growing market and start growing your own broccoli rabe for your family.
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Sources & references used in this article:
Grow Cook Eat: A Food Lover’s Guide to Vegetable Gardening, Including 50 Recipes, Plus Harvesting and Storage Tips by W Galloway – 2012 – books.google.com
Asparagine synthetase gene expression increases as sucrose declines in broccoli after harvest by CG Downs, SD Somerfield – 1997 – Taylor & Francis
FACTORS INFLUENCING PREHARVEST FRUIT SPLITTING IN ELLENDALE (C. reticulata). by E Rabe, P van Rensburg, H van der Walt, J Bower – HortScience, 1990 – journals.ashs.org
Microgreens: A guide to growing nutrient-packed greens by J Albi, C Walthers – 1996 – Macmillan
Broccoli type adapted for ease of harvest by E Franks, J Richardson – 2009 – books.google.com
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