[rogertb]

Hi chaps ... not so much for space saving more for reduction in waste I would like to find compact varieties of cabbage, cauli and broccoli ... anyone any suggestions (I'd like to buy them all from the same supplier as well so i don't have to pay 3 lots of postage.

Many thanks as ever to anyone taking the time.

Roger

[m1ckz]

try speedy seeds

[mumofstig]

For cabbage I grow Hispi for spring and summer, it's quite a small cabbage. I order some of my seeds from
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Premier-Seeds-Direct/Cabbage-/_i.html?_fsub=1133095018&_sid=79364908&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

You only pay postage for the first packet, and they do have a small packet range.

Minicole is a good small Oct-Dec cabbage, but an f1 so the seeds are a bit more expensive. I do think it's worth it, though - I usually manage to get it in the Wyevale 50p end of season sales 

[snowdrops]

Won't just planting them closer together result in smaller crops? Or am I being too simple? Answers on a postage stamp 😄😄

[Goosegirl]

Won't just planting them closer together result in smaller crops? Or am I being too simple? Answers on a postage stamp

I think you are right there - worth trying.

[Eblana]

Won't just planting them closer together result in smaller crops? Or am I being too simple? Answers on a postage stamp 😄😄

Yip, I space mine 60 cm x 60 cm for largish heads/curds and 30 cm x 30 cm for smaller heads/curds and have just been using the usual varieties (Avalanche for cauliflower, Fiesta for Calbrese and Hispi and January King for Cabbage). 

There is one lad on my site who lives alone and plants all his brassicas 20 cm x 20 cm to get mini heads to feed just one, he succession sows 4 of each every 2 to 3 weeks he uses regular varieties for cabbage and calabrese but he uses a variety called Igor F1 for the cauliflower (they are really cute at about the size of a tennis ball).

[compostqueen]

I like compact varieties and have found Hispi to be fantastic    I love savoy Cabbage Samantha (truly a small one!) Pixie is a wee cabbage, Igloo is a good little cauli. Broc and calabrese hmmm. Calabrese is less tall than broc but not small enough for my liking   

[moose]

I also use Hispi, minicole, igloo and samantha (thanks CQ). I was pleased with the result of calabrese Kabuki from:- http://www.nickys-nursery.co.uk/garden-shop/seeds/baby-vegetables/calabrese-kabuki-40-seeds/all

Check back on the Beechrove Garden factsheets and you will see a report where Jim sowed a square metre with varying numbers of cabbages. I'd have to check but I think 16 was the best option for a small family sized cabbage.

[rogertb]

Excellent chaps, thank you so much. I'm going for Igloo, Pixiee and Kabuki ... all available from Nickys so all solved. I'll come back with the results .... can't wait to get on with it.