I'm an idiot! Can this be saved?

[WillyNelson]

Like a prize numpty I labelled my sowings of PSB, kale, calebrese and sprouts with non-permenant marker pen. Watering them has washed the lables clean and I've no idea which is which. Will I/we/you be able to tell which is which one they germinate and the true leaves being to grow or should I just chuck the lot & start again?

Thanks

[Nicos]

I'd just carry on growing them- then plant them out in groups where the leaves look similar in colour and shape.
Post piccies when they are a bit bigger and we'll see if we can ID them for you.

We bought a pile of young plants from the market last year and the guy put them all in the same box- and we too had a bit of a mix up when it came to identifying them!!!!Oops!

[vicky]

You do the same sort of thing to all of them, so just plant out regardless - it'll be a surprise!

[Two_Sheds]

Yeah, just plant them all out, the spacing is roughly the same for all brassicas (24"-36"). (and I've done the non-permanent pen too)

[zazen999]

I'd whack them in a corner somewhere, pop a decent net over them and come back to them in a month or so.

[Glutton4...]

LOL Now you know why I always welcome people to the 'Madhouse!' You're definitely not the only one! Enjoy the effect when they all grow in disorganised rows.

[Jono]

I'm sure you'll be able to find pics of seedlings on the web to help you identify them.

Definitely don't start again though. I'm forever forgetting to label my stuff, but its rarely a problem once things establish.

[Poddington Pea]

I haven't labelled anything. I'm ok, but I will ahve to guess when it comes to my potatoes! In future I'll label things, but when the mood takes me to sow seeds and I actually have a minute my son is often there to help. It's more of a case of 'quick, shove some compost in a pot, stick a seed in, water, get out of there before all hell breaks loose!' (my son is 17 months and thinks compost is for eating and seeds are for hens to eat)

You'll be fine!
X

[King Carrot]

It's all part of the learning curve - I did the "washable ink came off the pots and now I don't know what the %^&* anything is" one myself in the past - I always "try" to make sure I use a permanent marker now

I think the only one you may be able to ID early on, is the Kale depending on the variety, I think the others are much of a muchness until they're a bit bigger, so have yourself a lucky dip.

[falkon]

Even if you use permanent marker, it will still fade out with the sunlight ( IR rays ) , so you have to renew the writing now and then on the plastics sticks... The writing last more nicely on wooden sticks though

[womble]

Whatever sticks you like, plastic or wood and write with a PENCIL

[WillyNelson]

Thanks all. I'll keep tending them and see what becomes what. Winter veg lucky dip!

PS - Jono, I've been very much enjoying your blog & twitter feed. Nice work.

[Kristen]

I have a sketch of my plot and when I plant out I write on the sketch what's where. Pencil / Indelible doesn't help when a toddler pulls all the labels out and makes them into a nice little collection to hand to you!

[chris]

I did the same. I now use a pencil (easy to rub off after too ).

[WillyNelson]

I have a sketch of my plot and when I plant out I write on the sketch what's where. Pencil / Indelible doesn't help when a toddler pulls all the labels out and makes them into a nice little collection to hand to you!

An excellent plan. Must remember this as my 3yo loves relocating things!