«Snowball» - Organic Cauliflower Seeds
1.14 €
Cauliflower Snowball is a superb heritage variety, first bred in America in the 1890's there probably still isn't a better cauliflower to grow in the garden. The pure white, snowball-sized heads can be harvested when small, 5cm (2in).
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Organic Cauliflower «Snowball»
Cauliflower Snowball is a superb heritage variety, first bred in America in the 1890's there probably still isn't a better cauliflower to grow in the garden. The pure white, snowball-sized heads can be harvested when small, 5cm (2in) or left to mature to 15cm (6in), they can also be forced.
This easy maintenance variety is very suitable for the home gardener, the dwarf and compact plants can be set closer than others. Vigorous, early and reliable, the plants mature uniformly and have good leaf coverage. Though strictly speaking described as an early cauliflower, Snowball is in fact far more versatile than that, similar to 'All Year Round', it can be used for successional production all year. 65 to 70 days to harvest.
Sow
Sow thinly, 2cm (¾in) deep in a seedbed. Final rows should be 15cm (6in) apart for mini caulis or around 60cm (24in) for larger cultivars. Thin the seedlings to a final spacing of 15cm (6in) apart for mini caulis or 60cm (24in) for larger cultivars. However, best results come from sowing in cell trays using any good multi-purpose potting compost. As cauliflowers mature in a rush, avoid raising too many plants at a time.
The main sowing period is March to May, although early crops can be achieved by sowing under glass in January/February or sowing cultivars in the autumn in a glasshouse or coldframe.
Grow
Cauliflowers do best in very fertile soil, and digging in a bucketful of well-rotted manure or organic matter before planting, and raking in 150g per sq m (5oz per sq yd) of Growmore or other general purpose fertiliser, will help growth. Firm the soil by treading before planting.
If growth is checked, at any time during growth, they produce small, deformed heads. To avoid problems, water plants well the day before transplanting and make a hole deep enough to hold the plant with the lowest leaves at ground level. Fill this hole repeatedly with water. This will fill the hole with soil and ensure the plant is sitting in a large area of moist soil. Firm the soil very well against the roots.
Space summer and autumn cropping types 60cm (2ft) apart and winter cultivars around 75cm (2.5ft) apart; spacing of 30-45cm (12-18in) apart, provides mini, 'one person' curds. Water well in dry weather, watering every 10 days, and apply sufficient water to thoroughly wet the root zone. Once the plants are growing well, add 30g (1oz) per square metre of high nitrogen fertiliser such as sulphate of ammonia to boost growth and curd formation.
Harvesting
Start cutting when the heads are firm; once the florets start to separate, it is too late.