how can you tell the difference?

[gwynnethmary]

Help!  I sowed some sprouts and some cabbage seeds in a big bath- my version of a seed bed.  They're looking good- much better than the sickly looking things I've been nurturing for months on end after sowing them indoors far too early!  The problem is, I can't remember which are which (did't label them!).  As they develop, will they become recognisable and different?

[gwynnethmary]

[valmarg]

Well. it looks as if you are going to have surprise greens (as opposed to those terrible peas back in the sixties). ;D ;D ;D

valmarg

[saddad]

Well if one was red cabbage, or sprouts that would help....................  ;D

[suncekoret]

The sprouts will have more rounded almost spoon shaped leaves

[tonybloke]

A timely lesson folks? Label written before you sow!!!! ;)

[nilly71]

  As they develop, will they become recognisable and different?

Yes, the cabbages have a big head on them & brussels are small with lotsof them ;D ;D ;D

Neil

[davyw1]

Its not hard to tell the difference its just one of the garden skills that you pick up with time

SWEEDE

[attachment=1]

CAULIFLOWER

[attachment=2]

CABBAGE

[attachment=3]

SPROUT SLIGHTLY DARKER GREEN

[attachment=4]

[gwynnethmary]

Thanks everyone!  I think I may have the answer in that there are are a lot more of one than the other, and I probably thought that as sprouts are tall and thin I could squeeze more of them in!

[chriscross1966]

I think you'll be badly dissapointed if you squeeze in sprouts.... they need about 1.5-2 feet around each plant, most modern cabbages are OK at a foot, som eof the older biggies needed 16-18 inches..... sprouts need spacve though...

chrisc

[Tee Gee]

I don't disagree with you CC but I put mine 15" apart either way.

I have done this from the time that I read that on the narrow bed system you can plant plants closer.

I find it works for me and the other advantage I find is; they support each other better!

[gwynnethmary]

Well, I put in my sprouts and cabbages today, and am now quietly confident that I could tell the difference- the cabbage leaves look like cabbage leaves!  All I had to do was wait a few days.  I've been amazed at how much quicker these have come on in the bath outdoors, sown later.  No more faffing about in february on windowsills for me- at least where brassicas are concerned!  My newbie enthusiasm should have calmed down a bit by next spring!

[elvis2003]

 ;D my newbie enthusiasm has lasted three years now! wonder if ill ever stop getting so excited at the sight of new things,hope not!

[Borlotti]

Last year I got a surprise my cabbages (so I thought) turned out to be mini cauliflowers.  I really must label, but the plastic greenhouse did get blown down in the wind last year and everything got mixed up, that is my excuse.

[mormor]

I did the same - not in a bath - with broccoli and brussel sprouts.(Lost the labels somehow) Have now planted them out and wait for the interesting result!  Does it matter that they are mixed?

[gwynnethmary]

If your broccoli is the same as mine, the leaves are light bluey green, and more edged than the sprouts, if that helps.  But I don't really think it matters, unless you're a bit of a tidy freak, like me!

[antipodes]

This year I have lovely red cabbage and Brussel Sprouts and broccoli (calabrese) growing: sown straight into the coldframe and forgotten about. Planted out at 10 cm high. and they have taken really well now they have been planted out. I won't do them any other way now. Indoors just doesn't work properly, they like it cool it seems.
They were easy to tell apart, they are completely different colours!