Scientific Name: Brassica oleracea Botrytis Cultivar Group

Common Names: Cauliflower 'Snowball', Cauliflower 'Early Snowball'

Family: Brassicaceae

Origin

This open-pollinated heirloom cauliflower variety 'Snowball' was developed in the USA and first offered to the public in 1883 by the seed merchants Peter Henderson and Company.

Culinary Uses

This is one of the finest flavoured heirloom cauliflowers available with heads that are dense, crisp and tender.  'Snowball' is great for steaming, adding to soups and other cooked dishes, or roasting which really helps to bring out it's nuttiness.  It can even be chopped into florets and served raw with a dip.  

Growing Tips

Snowball is an easy to grow cauliflower with a compact growth habit.  Snowball cauliflowers grow well in warmer climates compared to other varieties.  Bend leaves across the developing cauliflower head to prevent sun scoring.  Inspect cauliflower plants regularly for cabbage white butterfly caterpillars, remove these by hand and feed them to your chickens or the local magpies.  Spraying plants weekly with an organic Bacillus thuringiensis preparation such as Dipel can also be effective.  Water regularly and consistently.  Cauliflowers prefer a neutral pH around 7.0, incorporate garden lime prior to planting if soil is acidic.   This variety has resistance to downy mildew. 

When To Sow

In cooler regions of Australia sow Cauliflower 'Snowball' seeds from October to February, in temperate regions sow from February to May, in the subtropics sow from March to June and in the tropics sow from April to July.  

How To Sow

Sow Cauliflower 'Snowball' seeds 6mm deep spacing plants about 50cm apart to allow room for growth.  Choose a growing site that receives full sun or light shade for best results.

Time To Germination

Cauliflower 'Snowball' takes between 7 and 10 days to germinate after sowing.

Time To Harvest

Your heirloom cauliflowers will be ready to pick 9 to 12 weeks after sowing.