RAPA CENTOVENTINA (Brassica rapa), also known as Broccoletti or Rapini, is an Italian heirloom that is a form of non-heading brassica. Exceptional taste with a smooth texture. 90-120 days, so this is a fall/overwintering rapa. 25 Seeds.
ABOUT BROCCOLI RAAB: Extremely popular in Italy during the winter months, Raab, Raba, Rapa, as it is called is a leafier form of broccoli with long stalks and small, leafy florets that look like broccoli buds. Raab is actually related to the turnip family and the flavor is more substantive. The whole plant is eaten. Usually more flavorful than the broccoli Americans are familiar with (increasingly hybrids are bred for blandness), it is now coming into its own in upscale gourmet markets. There are two types or two ways of growing - annuals grown in spring for greens, and bienniels sown in fall for greens and the flowering heads. Raab is low in calories and sodium. Rich in calcium, Vitamins C, A, B2, phosphorous, and a good source of protein and fiber. They also have isoflavones, which are heart protectors and are thought to be cancer protectors as well. In short, one of the healthiest vegetables you can consume! Harvest when 4-8" high. Cook as you would regular broccoli. Not recommended in salads as it can be bitter raw. Also, the lower stalks can be tough unless you first wilt it (just rinse and zap 1 minute in microwave). Fabulous simply sauteed in olive oil with garlic and garnished with pine nuts and a splash of lemon. Makes a delicious side dish to one of my favorite Italian staples, polenta.
GROWING TIPS: Fast growing leafy vegetables benefit from nitrogen side-dressings and neutral pH (6.0-6.5). Sow directly outside as soon as the soil can be worked in spring, or in fall for overwintering (though a severe temperature drop after a warm spell, or sustained temps below 15 degrees will kill it). Sow 1/2" deep, 1" apart, in rows spaced 12" apart. Emerges in 10-20 days. When 4" high thin to 6" apart. Also loves seedweed dressings.
CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM GARDEN SEEDS & PLANTS offer hundreds of heirloom and vintage open-pollinated varieties! Most have histories dating back centuries and are tried and true producers. Some are rare, or threatened with extinction. When you grow a plant from heirloom seed and save that seed, you are participating in a practice that goes back for generations. Our grandparents and their grandparents grew these varieties. Often the seeds were prized possessions carried to the New World when they emigrated.
Ever notice how most seed catalogs require you to buy (and pay for) much more seed than you could ever possibly use in a season? If you have a budget for garden seeds, this limits your choices! Although seeds can be viable for longer than one growing season, it requires that they be stored at a consistent temperature and humidity. Few of us do this. CherryGal sizes its seed packets for the home gardener, because we know you may want to grow 5 different lettuces, or three different corns, and don’t want to have to take out a second mortgage to do so! CHERRYGAL SEEDS ARE A TREMENDOUS BARGAIN!
All seeds offered are FRESH stock, with high germination rates. Varieties are specially selected for home gardeners. If you want the flavor you remember from grandma's kitchen garden or the beauty of her cottage flowers, choose CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS.
ABOUT OPEN-POLLINATED SEEDS . . . All CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are heirlooms (dating at least 100 years) or vintage (mid-20th Century or older) OPEN-POLLINATED varieties. This means saved seed will be true to the parent. Don't be dazzled by the never-ending array of hybrid seeds promoted by gardening suppliers. First, seeds from that produce will not grow true to the parent -- you have to keep buying hybrid seed. Second, most hybrids are developed for market – not home -- growers with an emphasis on extended shelf life, storage and shipping qualities -- NOT flavor, texture and all those other elements that home growers seek.
All CHERRYGAL HEIRLOOM SEEDS come from reputable growers (most of them small farms) and wherever possible ORGANIC suppliers (so noted). By buying CHERRYGAL SEEDS you are supporting the growing worldwide movement of SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE and with a little practice you will be able to save even more money in the future by growing open-pollinated varieties and saving seed for next year. All my seeds are DOUBLE GERMINATION TESTED: First by my growers and then by me. Please Note: CherryGal Heirloom Seeds are guaranteed to be fresh stock, but are not guaranteed as to results (sorry - we wish we could, but there are too many variables in gardening) so please do not ask to return. However, we think you will be pleased and would like to hear about your gardening success!
SHIPPING: I endeavor to ship my seeds as quickly as possible - usually within 24 - 48 hours. If there is a need for more time, you will be advised at time of purchase and shipped as soon as possible. In the event an item becomes unavailable or temporarily out of stock I will offer you a chance to substitute another selection or refund you immediately. I package my seeds for shipping in a manner appropriate to the amount and type of seed - larger orders and larger seeds require more packaging. I also combine multiple orders of the same seed variety, where practical, in one envelope unless you request otherwise. This is an ecological measure, not a cost-saving one. Whether you choose first class mail or priority shipping, your seeds will ship using a delivery confirmation number which will be supplied to you.
|
