Mixing brassicas for planting?

[LostthePlot]

I would like to know if you can mix brassicas up when planting? I know they all need nearly the same planting distances and the trouble is I have commited the numero uno boo-boo when growing seedlings and mixed up the labels or lost them for one reason or another. I seem to have 'lost' my cauliflowers in amongst these, and, as anyone who grows brassicas from seed, they all look pretty much the same whilst at small stage. I have my sprouts and cabbages labelled (a few of each) but they all still look the same. So can I mix the planting or can anyone tell me what the difference is, leaf wise, to diferentiate the plants at seedling stage?

[Snadger]

The cauli's have an ovate leaf shape as well!

In my Potager based lottie the emphasis is on growing veg decoratively. To do this I will be using formal planting regimes of various brassicas including red cabbage and red sprouts to form a visual display. For instance in a 4 foot by 12 foot bed I may have a red cabbage on each corner with some red sprouts in the middle and other brassicas laid out formally in between and undeplanted with tagetes and other flowers that attract insects.

The only problem I can forsee is when it comes to harvesting I will be loathe to spoil the pattern by cutting a cabbage for instance!!

[Flummery]

I agree Snadger. I've read books about potager planting and invariably they show you a photo with all the veg mature and ready to eat. Either you eat 20 red cabbages all at once (you wouldn't, would you? If you wanted 20 you'd sow successionally) or you ruin the pattern. I love the idea but I don't know that I could make it work!

[rustylady]

Plant them out, you will soon tell the difference when they start to grow properly (and certainly by harvest time). They all need similar growing conditions so they should be fine.

[serenity]

I agree flumery, I really want to turn my little front garden into a pottager but like you say really all the plants need to be at a similar state of maturity to pull it off. I am going to try tho, have the seeds and the ground so why not. Not sure any of the brassicas will be edible tho as netting it all off will kind of ruin the point

[serenity]

will do lj, thanks for the advice. I have never grown brassica before and wasn,t going to try but the redbor kale looks so decorative and you can't buy chard round here for love nor money