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When to Plant Broccoli Rabe in Rich County, UT

Broccoli rabe (rapini) is a brassica grown for its slightly bitter, nutty-flavored florets, leaves, and stems. It is a staple in Italian cooking.

Rich County, Utah is in USDA Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and the first fall frost is September 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 107 days.

At an elevation of 5,803 feet, Rich County receives approximately 18 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly loam soil. Summer highs average 81°F, so choose short-season varieties of Broccoli Rabe to ensure they mature before fall. With low rainfall, drip irrigation is essential for growing Broccoli Rabe successfully. Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture.

Rich County, UT (Zone 5a) Short season
107 days
Last Spring Frost May 31
107 growing days
First Fall Frost September 15

Rich County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Broccoli Rabe Planting Timeline — Rich County, UT

Broccoli Rabe Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors April 26 Apr 26 – May 10
Transplant Outdoors May 31 May 31 – Jun 14
Direct Sow May 17 May 17 – Jun 7
Harvest July 12 Jul 12 – Aug 16
Fall Sowing July 7 Jul 7 – Jul 21

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Start Indoors
May Start Indoors Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
June Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
July Fall Sowing Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

40–60 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 5a

📆 Growing Season

107 days in Rich County

Growing Tips for Rich County

Direct sow in spring or fall. Harvest when small yellow flower buds first appear but before they open. Cut the main shoot first to encourage side shoots.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Strawberries

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Broccoli Rabe in Rich County, UT?

Rich County is in Zone 5a with an average last frost of May 31. Plan your Broccoli Rabe planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Rich County, UT?

Rich County, Utah is in USDA Hardiness Zone 5a. The average last spring frost is May 31 and first fall frost is September 15.

🌱

Your Rich County Garden Planner — Free

A 22-page printable planner built for Rich County (Zone 5a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Rich County, UT. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: June 2026.

Sources & credits

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