Within the last week my broccoli rabe has grown about a foot; however, caterpillars are now prolific, eating everything. They are green and about 1-1 1/2' in size. How do I get rid of them?
In addition to using Bt in the garden for worms and caterpillar pests, you can try neem oil. Both are safe to use. These article will help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/insects/prevent-caterpillars.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/using-bacillus-thuringiensis.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/pests/pesticides/neem-oil-uses.htm
My plants are up to my waist with beautiful leaves, but no flowers. HELP Thanks, Clarke
If planted early in the fall or late in the spring, this crop requires about 60 to 65 days from seeding to first harvest of the flower heads. If planted in the late fall harvest is usually delayed until late winter or early spring.
Thuis article could help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli-rabe/broccoli-rabe.htm
There is no broccoli sprout. It's just leaves. Is there something missing in the soil? I have raised beds with bagged soil.
They don't develop heads for the same reason they bolt, which is the heat. This article, which would apply to your broccoli rabe plants too, should help: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/broccoli-not-forming-heads.htm
I'm having plants that are growing with big leaves but no Broccoli. I just picked because the bottom of the leaves are starting to yellow. Is this normal for the plant not to have any broccoli on the plant? And is this safe to eat? Thank you
Broccoli Rabe is a vegetable more closely related to turnips and beets.
The leaves are harvested and eaten.
This vegetable does not form Broccoli heads.
Here is a some more information for you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli-rabe/broccoli-rabe.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli-rabe/harvesting-broccoli-raab.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/how-to-grow-broccoli.htm
Do you trim the leaves to make the crown grow?
This will help;
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli-rabe/harvesting-broccoli-raab.htm
I was given brocolli rabe that had gone to seed. I dried out the pods and planted the seeds, all within a matter of 4 weeks. Will the seeds produce the plant?
Yes, as long as the seeds were mature when harvested they should germinate and grow fine. Keep the seeds moist until they germinate. It should take about 65-70 days after planting before it is ready to harvest. Broccoli rabe can cross pollinate with many related vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, etc. so don't be surprised if the offspring is a hybrid and doesn't look much like the parent.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/saving-broccoli-seeds.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/broccoli/how-to-grow-broccoli.htm
My broccoli rabe plants have not grown very tall. Maybe less than 12 inches. But they have flowered. I have been pinching off the flowers hoping the plants would grow and fill in. But they just keep flowering. This was my first attempt at growing it. I am ready to throw in the towel and harvest them. Just wanted to know if they would still be edible.
It will be edible, but probably not very tasty. This will, usually, be caused by warmer weather. There will be no way to combat this, except to possibly plant it out earlier.