About
Brassica 'Cima di Rapa', commonly referred to as 'Broccoli Rab' or 'Rapini', is an annual vegetable native to the Mediterranean region, often translated as 'Turnip Greens'. This plant features elongated, serrated leaves that are rich in flavor, with small, edible flower clusters interspersed among the foliage, resembling sprouting broccoli. The young heads are best harvested for consumption, offering a taste profile that combines elements of spinach and broccoli, along with a peppery, mustard-like flavor reminiscent of turnips. This variety is straightforward to cultivate and thrives in limited space, making it suitable for pots and containers. By sowing seeds at intervals, you can enjoy harvests from May to October.
About the genus
Brassicas encompass annual, biennial, and perennial varieties, typically characterized by their upright growth habit, alternate leaves that are often glaucous, and prominent taproots. The flowers are arranged in clusters and take on a cross shape, usually appearing in yellow or white. This genus includes several species cultivated for food production, including cabbages, turnips, mustards, and oilseed rape, alongside those that are valued for ornamental purposes.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Annual Biennial
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 1 year
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Architectural
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Sow seed in fertile, moisture-retentive soil in a sheltered, sunny location. Harvest when young, before the buds open. See broccoli cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- No pruning required
- Propagation
- Propagate by seed. See sowing vegetable seeds
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to cabbage caterpillars, cabbage whitefly, aphids, flea beetles and slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to black rot, downy mildew, foot and root rot, grey mould, leaf spot and white blister