Snowball Y Improved Cauliflower Seeds

Start Snowball Cauliflower seeds indoors 8–12 weeks before your last expected frost, sowing ½ inch deep in peat pots. Use peat pots, as cauliflower has sensitive roots, and transplant shock can stall head development or cause the plant to button, producing a tiny, premature head instead of a full one. Germination takes 7–14 days at soil temperatures between 57–68°F. Keep the mix evenly moist. Before moving seedlings outside, harden them off over 7–10 days.

Cauliflower needs full sun, at least 6 hours daily. Rich, fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter gives the best results. Work compost into the bed before planting. Space plants 15–18 inches apart. Water plants consistently. The soil should stay evenly moist because even short dry spells during head formation affect texture and flavor. Add a mulch layer around the base of each plant to keep moisture in and soil temperature stable during warm days.

Feed Cauliflower Snowball Cabbage with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer early in the growing period, then ease back on nitrogen once the head starts to form, as too much at that stage pushes leaf growth at the expense of the curd. Snowball Y Improved blanches itself, but it is worth checking the inner leaves occasionally to make sure they are actually covering the head. Heads are ready when they are tight, firm, and fully white. Cut with a sharp knife and leave a few outer leaves on for protection during storage. Refrigerate for up to two weeks, or put in a freezer.