[The Norfolk Turkey]

As a complete novice I happily planted the raab broccoli seeds we got for free on the front of a magazine, better still it grew in our new raised beds!!
Only now, it looks like its going to flower....
Its about a foot tall with one or two nice big leaves, but thats about it.
My better half pointed out "its not really big enough to do anything with"...... insert your own pun.......
Ive read about it being a cut and come again crop, but what do I cut and when should I cut it?!
Any suggestions gratefully appreciated!!

[mumofstig]

I may be wrong (Ioften am ) but don't I think it's cut and come again. It's just tiny broccoli that starts and finishes within 60days. Just for things like stir fry and pasta sauces and not much else. O well!

[The Norfolk Turkey]

Yeah, you see, Id got in my head that it was, confidently quoted the accompanying magazine article to C, realised weve recycled the mag and Im totally clueless about the plant!! But your explanation rings very true with what I can see in the garden! Gonna go put the wok on and get snipping! Ta!

[Mitsy]

I still have the mag 

Matures quickly and will be best whenthe stems are green, firm and topped with tightly furled buds. Avoid harvesting from tough older plants or those with yellowing foliage.

Can be stored for several days after harvesting. Leave unwashed and place in a sealed plastic bag in salad drawer.

Harvest around 60 days after sowing. When the plants reach around 10 cm tall, the young leafy growth can be picked and eaten. Alternatively wait until tender stems and buds appear (once plants are about 20-25cm) Cut them to around 2.5cm above ground level. In the best conditions the plant can be used as a cut-and-come-again and will re-grow 2 to 3 times to allow subsequent harvests, providing the root system and lower leaves are left in place.
Hope this helps 

[MoreWhisky]

Im growing these to from same magazine.

Wasnt sure what to expect either , thats a good explaination Mitsy thanks.

[SnooziSuzi]

I can't remember what variety of broc I sowed, but all are now about 2 feet tall with little buttons of heads.  Problem is, if I let them get the size of the shop bought one's they'll have flowered, set seed and died!

I suppose one of the 'big learns' (I know, I hate that expression too but hey, it fits) is that GYO stuff is never as big as the mass produced garbage you buy in the shops, but is more than made up for in the taste!

[Kimberley04]

I'm also growing this variety in a seed tray.  Think i must have gone wrong, I've since read that brassicas don't like heat but mine are in a greenhouse.  Makes sense as the seedlings have grown to about 3cm and then stopped !

[Rangerkris]

Hmmmm this is the same broccoli i posted about the other day, am i right in thinking it does not grow proper broccoli head like we get in the shops. Sorry for the  silly questions do i use the leaves when the seed head apears.   

[Mitsy]

Unlike calbrese raab has multiple stems and small clusters of buds. The leaves, buds and young stems are all edible 

[Aidy]

As Mitsy says it is a type similar to sprouting Broccoli. You can eat both the leaf in salad and the flowerhead as sprouting broccoli, its true name is Rapini and I believe becoming more popular. It is part of the turnip family.

[The Norfolk Turkey]

Blimey!! Thank heavens its not just me!! Im off to try cutting it back and seeing what happens! Tastes nice anyway - tried some leaves - its a bit spinachy?! Thanks for all the advice!