leafy · direct sow
Rapini (Broccoli Raab): how much to plant.
A family of 4 eating rapini (broccoli raab) a few times a week needs about 89 plants in ~45 sq ft, worth about $89 a year at the store. Here are the exact numbers for your household, and when to plant in every zone.
How much to plant
Plants, space, seeds, and value.
Counts assume about 3 servings per person per week with a germination buffer built in. Store value uses ~$4.00/lb retail — an estimate that varies by region and season.
| Household | Plants | Bed space | Seeds to buy | Store value / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | 23 | ~12 sq ft | ~43 | ~$23 |
| 2 people | 45 | ~23 sq ft | ~83 | ~$45 |
| 4 people | 89 | ~45 sq ft | ~163 | ~$89 |
| 6 people | 133 | ~67 sq ft | ~244 | ~$133 |
Spacing
6" in row · 12" between rows
Sow depth
0.25"
Days to harvest
50 from seed
When to plant
Sow windows by USDA zone, 2026.
Zone dates are typical, not exact. The free planner uses your ZIP code's frost dates, not just the zone, and shifts every window to match.
| Zone | Spring sow window | Fall sow window |
|---|---|---|
| Zone 3 | Mar 26 – Apr 25 | Jun 22 – Aug 1 |
| Zone 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 20 | Jul 2 – Aug 11 |
| Zone 5 | Mar 11 – Apr 10 | Jul 12 – Aug 21 |
| Zone 6 | Mar 1 – Mar 31 | Jul 22 – Aug 31 |
| Zone 7 | Feb 14 – Mar 16 | Aug 1 – Sep 10 |
| Zone 8 | Feb 3 – Mar 5 | Aug 22 – Oct 1 |
| Zone 9 | Jan 1 – Jan 31 | Sep 11 – Oct 21 |
| Zone 10 | Jan 1 – Jan 11 | Sep 21 – Oct 31 |
Know before you grow
The practical stuff.
Yield
About 0.25 bunchs per plant over ~3 productive weeks (~0.25 lb). Re-sow every ~14 days for a steady supply instead of one glut.
Watch for
Cabbage worms & loopers · Aphids · Flea beetles — the pest guide covers organic fixes for each, and Pest Radar shows what gardeners near you are reporting right now.
Neighbors
Plays well with garlic, onion-bulb, carrot, beet. Keep away from tomato-slicing, tomato-cherry, tomato-paste.
On the plate (per 100 g, USDA)
22 kcal · 2.7 g fiber · 20.2 mg vitamin C · 196 mg potassium
Stop guessing. Get your exact numbers.
Tell the free planner what you want to eat and who you're feeding. It returns plant counts, spacing, and frost-safe sow dates for your ZIP code — not just your zone — in about 60 seconds.