Snowball Y

Family: Brassicaceae Brassica

Velvety, snow-white curds arrive with a crisp, fine-grained bite and a clean, sweet brassica flavor that feels bright rather than sharp.

Snowball Y forms tight, rounded heads with a protective leaf collar that helps keep the color pure and the texture tender—ideal for showcasing in the garden and turning into elegant, crowd-pleasing preparations. Grow it for reliable 75-day performance and a standout harvest that looks as fresh as it tastes.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 75 DaysHabit: Rosette

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 28th
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 2nd
Harvest Begins	Jul 16th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	75
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Rosette
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	40
Min Night Temp (°F)	32
Harden Off (days)	6

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

With its tight, tender curds and clean, sweet brassica flavor, Snowball Y cooks up with a delicate bite that holds up to roasting without getting cabbage-y. Use it to show off: high-heat color or a buttery lemon finish makes the sweetness pop, and it stays elegant even in a gratin.

Best Uses

roasted florets at high heat until caramelized on the edges
quick sauté or steam then finish with butter for a glossy coat
riced cauliflower as a light, neutral base for sauce-heavy bowls
staged gratin: par-cook, then bake under cheese for creamy browning

Flavor Profile

clean, sweet brassica flavor fine-grained, velvety curd bite bright, not harsh tender when cooked through

Kitchen Pairings

lemon brown butter garlic parmesan capers chicken stock

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my Snowball Y (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) heads getting soft and brown, and what can I do?

Soft, spreading brown tissue on the curds is often bacterial soft rot, which thrives in cool, wet weather and after splashing water. Remove and discard affected heads, then improve airflow by spacing plants correctly and avoiding overhead irrigation. If conditions stay wet, water at the soil line and keep leaves as dry as possible to slow further spread.

How often should I water Snowball Y during the main head-forming period?

During curd development (roughly mid-season toward the last third before harvest), keep the root zone evenly moist, not soggy—about 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week depending on heat and soil. Let the top 1 inch of soil dry slightly between waterings to prevent waterlogging, especially because Brassica oleracea var. botrytis is prone to head rots when the foliage stays wet. Mulch lightly to stabilize moisture and reduce fluctuations that can lead to loose or poor curds.

When is Snowball Y ready to harvest, and how do I know?

Harvest when the curds are firm, dense, and fully white (or tightly colored for your cultivar), and the head reaches a typical market size for Snowball Y—around 75 days from sowing/planting per your schedule. Check daily once heads are forming: if the curds start to loosen or show any flowering hints, harvest immediately because Brassicas can turn woody or flower quickly. Use a sharp knife to cut the head with a short stem, and harvest before heat spikes for best texture.