How to Plant Broccoli Rabe

Select a location for the garden bed that receives at least eight hours of direct sun daily. Remove all grass and vegetation from the garden in the early spring or late summer. Place the unwanted grass on the compost pile.

Add a 4-inch layer of compost over the garden bed and dig it in, turning the soil to thoroughly mix in the compost. Rake smooth, then rake the soil up into long, mounded rows, 18 inches apart.

Draw a small trench down the center of the row with the rake or tip of the shovel.

Sprinkle the broccoli rabe seeds into the trench, approximately 2 inches apart. Cover with 1/2 inch of soil.

Unroll the soaker hose, arranging it next to the planting trenches. Water lightly every day to keep the seeds damp until they germinate, in seven to 10 days. After the seedlings sprout, water when the top of the soil is dry to the touch.

Add 4 inches of mulch between the rows, pulling it up -- but not over -- the planting trenches. Mulch inhibits weed growth and helps keep the soil moist.

Fertilize weekly with a compost tea or balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer, according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Snip the excess seedlings with scissors when they are 3 to 4 inches tall, thinning the plants to 4 to 6 inches apart. Use the seedlings in salads or saute in butter.

Harvest the leaves and flower buds when the plants are 8 inches tall, before the flowers open. Snip with scissors, taking only the largest leaves. Continue to water and fertilize; the plants will produce new leaves and flowers for a second harvest.

Monitor your broccoli rabe for pests such as slugs, snails, earwigs and caterpillars. Pick the pests off and drop into a bucket of soapy, lightly-salted water to kill them. Pour the water and carcasses onto your compost pile.