100+ Organic Early Snowball Cauliflower heirloom Seeds - (Non Gmo )-BRASSICA OLERACEA---A066

100+ Organic Early Snowball Cauliflower heirloom Seeds - (Non Gmo )-BRASSICA OLERACEA-A066

Early Snowball Cauliflower Seeds (Self Blanching Type) Heirloom Vegetable. Uniformly shaped, snow white heads that are thick and solid with tight curds. Good for both early and late season crops. Introduced in 1888, Early Snowball is somewhat self-blanching which means the large outer leaves tend to curl around the white head protecting it from the elements – in spite of this, many growers will still tie the leaves up and around the head to protect it. Best grown during cooler portions of the growing season.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea) is a member of the vegetable group known as cole crops, which grow and mature during mild weather. In U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10, cauliflower can be grown in the fall and winter from late-summer planting. "Early Snowball" is a fast-growing cultivar that matures approximately 55 days from transplanting. Self-blanching "Early Snowball" has leaves that curve over the tops of the heads, providing protection from direct sunlight. This growth habit causes yellowing of the curds -- the cauliflower heads.

Take a soil sample in the summer to test for pH level. Follow the soil test kit instructions. Amend the garden soil if test results indicate a pH greater or less than 5.5 to 6.5. Apply horticultural lime over the garden to increase the soil pH level, using a rate of 10 pounds of lime evenly spread over 100 square feet of garden space to increase the pH level 1 point. To lower soil pH 1 point, substitute 2 pounds of elemental sulfur. Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost, well-rotted manure or other organic matter over the garden. Loosen the garden soil and incorporate organic matter and any other amendments with a spade or rototiller to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Wait at least 30 days and then spread 2 to 3 pounds of 8-16-16 fertilizer over each 100 square feet of garden space. Spade or rototill to turn the soil under. Pull soil up into 4-inch-high raised rows if the garden bed is not well-draining. Space rows 25 to 30 inches apart. Direct sow the cauliflower seeds into the garden from August 1 to September 1 in mild-winter regions of USDA plant hardiness zones 8 to 10, or set out transplants from August 15 to September 1. Sow seeds 1/2 to 1 inch deep. Set transplants in deep holes 15 to 18 inches apart, covering the stem with soil up to the first pair of leaves. Thin seedlings of direct-sown cauliflower 15 to 18 inches apart for proper spacing. Pour one cup of 20-20-20 liquid starter fertilizer, prepared according to label instructions, into each planting hole when setting out transplants in the garden. Irrigate the garden if rainfall is not sufficient to keep soil slightly moist. Use drip hoses or flood furrows to provide moisture without overhead watering. Harvest cauliflower heads before flowers in the curds begin to open