Another Random: How do you label your plants? - Page 2

ContainerTed · January 30, 2013

Just found this thread. Here's a link to a thread I just started yesterday. What do you think of my solution?

http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=26355

Alpinejs · January 30, 2013

I use a combo of some of the above ideas. When I plant out, I use the white plastic label
stakes like HD sells They go at the base. Then at the top of a 52" tomato ring or close to
eye level on a stake, I tie a strip of pink surveyors tape with the name written in a sharpie.
Yes, it fades, but my insurance label is now shaded below the plant. I can usually read the
tape all season long. Incidently, the plastic labels can be re-used. Just clean them with
WD-40 and a steel wool pad. My logic for the system is that I am either too old or too lazy
to get down on my knees to read the ground stake, but it is there for insurance.

January 30, 2013

This was posted in another thread--I like the idea.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TR...item3f021018cf

gggeek · January 30, 2013

Man I feel crazy for just sticking with Popsicle sticks and good ole pencil. End of the season, just push them into the dirt and let the worms do the work. Tip: go over the writing several times to make it bold.

nativeplanter · January 31, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluebonnets

I cut labels from soda cans/energy drinks and write on them with a pen. The ink doesn't work but it makes an impression that lasts and I stick them in the ground but now I am wondering if it would work to cut the labels into rectangles, punch a hole on one end and hang them up on the plant or cage.

I did this last year, and really liked how well it worked. The soda cans were easy to cut with regular scissors. I put the can strips on an old towel, then it was really easy to make the ballpoint pen make an indent. And by pushing hard, I could get the pen to act as a punch for a hole in the end. I then used twist ties to attach them to the vine clips. That way I could easily move the tag around if it got hard to find.

I've tried popsicle sticks a few times, but for me they always rot at the soil level before the season is half over, and then break and get lost. I'd like to try the mini blind route, since I have raised beds, but I refuse to buy new ones and haven't found ones being discarded yet.

One year I used a paint pen to label rows of veggies by writing on large clam shells (I live near the beach). They looked really neat and lasted a few years before the paint chipped off (unless I stepped on them).

dipchip2000 · January 31, 2013

I use the paint pen on cut up miniblinds. I spent 4dollars at Lowes for a 36x56
cheap miniblind and cut it up with scissors and made over 600 labels. I use a paper punch for the hole and tiny zipties to attach them chest high to tomato cages. I always put them on the north side and have never had one fade or become unreadable. I dont have to bend over to see them either. Black paint pen on white miniblind is great for an old mans eyes.

ron

b54red · January 31, 2013

I just use cheap plastic surveyors tape of whatever color I happen to find and then write with a Sharpie. They can be tied to cages, trellises or the plant itself. The only problem is in our very long season if a tomato lasts long enough the writing will fade but by that time I know what the plant is. I have gone back and relabeled them with new tape before the old ones fade completely. If I can find a good garden marker locally then I will try one and see if it will last longer. The advantages of the tape is that it is cheap, very versatile and can be attached at eye level.

Cole_Robbie · January 31, 2013

I spent 4dollars at Lowes for a 36x56
cheap miniblind and cut it up with scissors and made over 600 labels.

That's less than what it costs me to buy labels a thousand at a time. Great idea!

bboomer · January 31, 2013

I use paint sticks. I write the names of each plant on the stick, put em in the ground and they stay up until the end of the season when they compost into the soil. A big box store gave me dozens for free.

CrazyMtn · February 1, 2013

These are durable, cheap, quick, and you can reuse them. http://www.fntpost.com/Products/Trap...te-On)+25+Pack
I have never used them as plant tags just as trap tags. Having a map has saved me many times in the garden and starting seeds.

January 30, 2013	#16
ContainerTed Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: 6a - NE Tennessee Posts: 4,538	Just found this thread. Here's a link to a thread I just started yesterday. What do you think of my solution? http://www.tomatoville.com/showthread.php?t=26355 __________________ Ted ________________________ Owner & Sole Operator Of The Muddy Bucket Farm and Tomato Ranch

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January 30, 2013	#17
Alpinejs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Alpine, Calif. in winter. Sandpoint Lake, Ont. Canada summers Posts: 850	I use a combo of some of the above ideas. When I plant out, I use the white plastic label stakes like HD sells They go at the base. Then at the top of a 52" tomato ring or close to eye level on a stake, I tie a strip of pink surveyors tape with the name written in a sharpie. Yes, it fades, but my insurance label is now shaded below the plant. I can usually read the tape all season long. Incidently, the plastic labels can be re-used. Just clean them with WD-40 and a steel wool pad. My logic for the system is that I am either too old or too lazy to get down on my knees to read the ground stake, but it is there for insurance.

January 30, 2013	#18
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	This was posted in another thread--I like the idea. http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TR...item3f021018cf

January 30, 2013	#19
gggeek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SC Posts: 64	Man I feel crazy for just sticking with Popsicle sticks and good ole pencil. End of the season, just push them into the dirt and let the worms do the work. Tip: go over the writing several times to make it bold.

January 31, 2013	#21
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	I use the paint pen on cut up miniblinds. I spent 4dollars at Lowes for a 36x56 cheap miniblind and cut it up with scissors and made over 600 labels. I use a paper punch for the hole and tiny zipties to attach them chest high to tomato cages. I always put them on the north side and have never had one fade or become unreadable. I dont have to bend over to see them either. Black paint pen on white miniblind is great for an old mans eyes. ron

January 31, 2013	#22
b54red Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Alabama Posts: 7,068	I just use cheap plastic surveyors tape of whatever color I happen to find and then write with a Sharpie. They can be tied to cages, trellises or the plant itself. The only problem is in our very long season if a tomato lasts long enough the writing will fade but by that time I know what the plant is. I have gone back and relabeled them with new tape before the old ones fade completely. If I can find a good garden marker locally then I will try one and see if it will last longer. The advantages of the tape is that it is cheap, very versatile and can be attached at eye level.

January 31, 2013	#23
Cole_Robbie Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Illinois, zone 6 Posts: 8,407	I spent 4dollars at Lowes for a 36x56 cheap miniblind and cut it up with scissors and made over 600 labels. That's less than what it costs me to buy labels a thousand at a time. Great idea!

January 31, 2013	#24
bboomer Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 67	I use paint sticks. I write the names of each plant on the stick, put em in the ground and they stay up until the end of the season when they compost into the soil. A big box store gave me dozens for free.

February 1, 2013	#25
CrazyMtn Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Montana Posts: 11	These are durable, cheap, quick, and you can reuse them. http://www.fntpost.com/Products/Trap...te-On)+25+Pack I have never used them as plant tags just as trap tags. Having a map has saved me many times in the garden and starting seeds.