Rapini Vegetable Seeds Packet

$2.35

2025 Seed Prices

  • Order 1-95 assorted packets for $2.35 each
  • Order 96-499 assorted packets for $1.85 each
  • Order 500 or more assorted packets for $1.65 each

Rapini, also known as broccoli rabe, is a leafy green vegetable belonging to the Brassicaceae (mustard) family. It is popular in many cuisines due to its slightly bitter, nutty flavor and nutrient-rich composition. Though its name suggests a relationship to broccoli, rapini is more closely related to turnips. This cool-season vegetable is easy to grow and thrives in both spring and fall gardens. Rapini is a nutritious, fast-growing leafy green that thrives in cool weather and requires minimal maintenance. By following proper planting techniques, providing adequate water, sun, and nutrients, and maintaining a consistent harvesting schedule, gardeners can enjoy a continuous supply of this flavorful vegetable.

SKU: SERAPI
Barcode: 843458160649

Product Detail

Order in multiples of: 12

  • Year Designed: 2024
Quick Seed Overview
  • Plant Type: Annual
  • Genus: Brassica
  • Species: Rapa
  • Plant Height/Width: 1–2 ft tall x 1–2 ft wide
  • Exposure: Full Sun
  • Difficulty: Moderate

Why Shido Seeds Are the Best

Our flower and vegetable seeds are beautifully packaged little packets of magic. Guaranteed to turn your garden into the envy of the neighborhood. Get your hands dirty and let nature simply do its thing.

How to Plant Rapini from Seed

When to Plant Seeds

  • Spring Planting: Direct sow 2-4 weeks before the last frost date.
  • Fall Planting: Sow seeds 8-10 weeks before the first frost.
  • In mild climates, rapini can be grown year-round.

Preparing for Planting

  1. Choose a sunny location with well-draining, fertile soil.
  2. Loosen soil 6-8 inches deep and mix in compost or organic matter.
  3. If planting in containers, use at least a 12-inch deep pot with good drainage.

Sowing Seeds Outdoors

  1. Plant seeds ¼ to ½ inch deep in moist soil.
  2. Space seeds 2-3 inches apart in rows 12-18 inches apart.
  3. Cover lightly with soil and gently water.
  4. Germination occurs in 5-10 days.

Thinning Seedlings

  • Once seedlings reach 2-3 inches tall, thin them to 4-6 inches apart.
  • Use the thinned seedlings in salads or sautés.

Pro Tip

Rapini (broccoli rabe) grows best in cool weather, so plant it in early spring or late summer for a flavorful harvest. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest when the buds are tight—before they flower—for the best taste.

Bonus: Regular picking encourages more tender shoots!

Getting to know your Rapini

Rapini is a cool-season crop that produces slender stems, deeply lobed leaves, and small green buds similar in appearance to broccoli florets. The entire plant is edible and offers a robust flavor that intensifies as the plant matures. It typically grows to a height of 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) and matures in as little as 40-60 days after planting.

What it's used for

1. Nutritional Benefits:

  • Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as calcium, iron, and folate.
  • Contains antioxidants that support immune health.
  • Low in calories and high in fiber, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet.

2. Culinary Uses:

  • Frequently sautéed with garlic and olive oil for a traditional Italian side dish.
  • Can be boiled or blanched to reduce bitterness before cooking.
  • Used in pasta dishes, risottos, omelets, and pizzas.

3. Companion Planting:

  • Acts as a natural pest deterrent when planted near tomatoes, beans, and onions.
  • Repels aphids and flea beetles that often attack garden crops.
Growth Requirements

Light:

  • Prefers full sun (at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily).
  • Can tolerate partial shade but may result in slower growth.

Soil:

  • Thrives in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
  • Ideal soil pH: 6.0 - 7.5.
  • Loosen soil and add compost or aged manure before planting.

Watering:

  • Requires consistent moisture, about 1 inch per week.
  • Avoid overwatering, which can lead to root rot and fungal diseases.

Temperature & Climate:

  • Grows best in cool weather (spring and fall).
  • Can tolerate light frosts, but prolonged cold may stunt growth.
  • Avoid planting during the heat of summer as it will bolt quickly.

Fertilization:

  • Enrich soil with compost or balanced fertilizer before planting.
  • Use a nitrogen-rich fertilizer (such as fish emulsion) to encourage leafy growth.
  • Avoid excess nitrogen, which may lead to too much leafy growth and fewer buds.
Maintenance

Mulching:

  • Apply a thin layer of straw or organic mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Helps regulate soil temperature and prevent bolting.

Harvesting Rapini:

  • Harvest 40-60 days after planting, before buds fully open.
  • Cut stems 4-6 inches from the ground, leaving lower leaves for regrowth.
  • Continual harvesting encourages more shoots to develop.

Refrigeration:

  • Store fresh rapini in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
  • Keep unwashed to retain freshness.

Freezing:

  • Blanch rapini in boiling water for 1-2 minutes, then transfer to an ice bath.
  • Drain well and freeze in airtight containers.

Preserving Flavor:

  • Use within a few days for the best taste and texture.
  • If rapini becomes too bitter, blanch before cooking.
Pests and Diseases

Common Pests & Diseases:

  • Aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage worms can attack rapini.
  • Use floating row covers or neem oil spray to deter pests.
  • Downy mildew and powdery mildew occur in humid conditions—ensure good airflow and avoid overhead watering.

Growing Together with Shido

At Shido, everything we do starts with one goal: helping you have a truly successful growing experience. We know that planting seeds is just the beginning — your time, energy, and love for gardening are the real magic. That’s why we make sure the seeds you plant are fresh, full of life, and top-quality. When you choose Shido, you’re planting with confidence. We guarantee it.

Our mission is simple: bring you exceptional varieties of high-quality seeds at prices you’ll love, share detailed sowing and growing tips so you can thrive as a home gardener, and deliver the best customer service in the industry — with a smile.

Our Seed Safety Promise

We do not sell genetically modified seeds — ever. And we don’t use genetic engineering to breed new varieties. Instead, our skilled breeders use traditional, natural crossing methods to create hybrid seeds that are healthy, safe, and packed with potential.

Our Seed Quality Guarantee

At Shido, we believe great gardens start with great seeds — and that means quality comes first. Every seed lot we offer is ensure to generate top-notch germination because your garden deserves nothing less.

To keep our seeds at their peak, we run thorough pathology tests at trusted outside labs. When you open a Shido seed packet, you can trust it’s been nurtured, tested, and approved to give you strong, healthy plants from the very first sprout.

Types of Seeds We Offer

Hybrid Seeds (F1)

F1 hybrid seeds are the garden’s high achievers — created by crossing two specially chosen parent plants for superior vigor, uniformity, and performance. We use only traditional breeding methods to produce these powerhouse seeds.

Open-Pollinated & Heirloom Seeds

Our open-pollinated (OP) seeds naturally reproduce through wind, insects, water, or self-pollination. When grown in isolation, they produce true-to-type plants year after year.

Among our OP seeds are treasured heirloom varieties — old favorites that have been carefully passed down for generations. While OP plants can be less uniform than hybrids, we run our Open-Pollinated Project to select the most reliable, flavorful, and beautiful strains. Many are also available as certified organic seeds.

Non-GMO: What It Means and Why It Matters

GMO (Genetically Modified Organism) is created when scientists alter a plant’s DNA in a lab — often by inserting genes from completely unrelated species — to achieve certain traits, like pest resistance or herbicide tolerance. This is a far cry from natural plant breeding.

At Shido, we believe gardening should stay as close to nature as possible. All our seeds — whether hybrid, heirloom, organic, or open-pollinated — are Non-GMO. They’re bred using traditional methods that respect natural biodiversity, giving you safe, wholesome seeds that grow into plants just as nature intended.

When you plant Shido Non-GMO seeds, you’re choosing purity, sustainability, and peace of mind — along with a garden full of flavor, color, and beauty.

Vacuum-Sealed for Freshness — Good for 10 Years

Every Shido seed packet isvacuum-sealedto lock in freshness and protect your seeds from moisture, air, and pests. This careful packaging not only preserves their quality but also extends their shelf life dramatically. Stored properly in a cool, dry place, our seeds remain viable for up to10 years— so you can plant them now, next season, or even years down the road. Whether you’re planning a garden this spring or building a long-term seed stash, Shido seeds are ready when you are

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