Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Snowball Cauliflower is a unique vegetable in the Brassicaceae family. Snowball Cauliflower is well known for the smooth white snowball-like heads with smooth curds reaching 7 inches. This variety is self-blanching, so no tying is needed for the green leaves to grow up and over the white head, protecting the vegetable. Snowball Cauliflower is well suited to cooler temperate climates and is known to produce uniform, heavy yields. They can be used for fall and winter harvest, and for both fresh eating or freezing. This seed can also be used to grow microgreens!
Snowball Cauliflower is delicious both raw and cooked and can be prepared in a variety of ways. Cut florets into bite sized pieces and serve with florets of Waltham 29 Broccoli with a ranch or spinach dish for a healthy and fresh appetizer or snack. Roast in the oven with oil alongside other hearty vegetables like Little Finger Carrot or sauté in a stir-fry. This variety of cauliflower also makes wonderful pickles that will last you well into winter.
NAME: Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis)
VARIETY: Snowball
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 2 – 11
TYPE: Annual
SUNLIGHT: Full sun
SOIL: Loam, fertile soil with a pH between 6.0 – 7.0
PLANT HEIGHT: 12 – 30 inches
SPACING: 6 – 8 inches
TEMP: 40 – 75 °F
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Sow seeds into cell trays or pots about one month before your last spring frost
Plant 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep into a proper seed-starting soil mix
Keep the soil moist but not oversaturated while the seeds are germinating
Once the seedlings emerge, continue to provide supplementary light under grow lights
Before transplanting outdoors, harden off seedlings for several days. Do this by taking them outside during the day and bringing them in at night (Outside temps should be above 50°F when you start this process)
When they get to be 4 to 6 inches tall, plant them outdoors, 18 to 24 inches apart with 30 inches between rows
If frost is a possibility, cover your seedlings with a milk jug or something similar, to prevent frost damage that will stunt the seedlings
If starting outdoors, sow seeds once your soil can be worked and immediately after your last local spring frost has passed
Sow seeds 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep, spaced 3 to 6 inches apart
Once seedlings become 5 to 10 inches tall or wide, thin out seedlings so they are spaced 18 to 24 inches apart, which will allow plenty of room for them to grow and mature
Water consistently; 2 inches of water per week minimum, making sure the soil is always moist
Mulching around the base of the plant will help retain some moisture
Temps that reach above 75°F almost guarantee the plant will bolt and never fully mature
For fully mature cauliflower heads, you should make sure your soil is very rich in organic matter before transplanting seedlings; in conjunction, a top dressing of compost and applications of 5-10-10 fertilizer will aid growth and health
Heads will be ready for harvest once the they are compact, white, and firm, generally within 60 to 70 days
Harvest by cutting off the head of the plant with a large knife, be sure to leave some of the leaves around the head on to keep it protected and preserved better
