labeling the plot...

[danmon_81]

So what do you use to label veg around the plot???

Im currently using/recycling cut up old marg tubs and contact lens fluid cases...
I tried some scrap wood last year (i prefer the natural look)...i remember Carol Klein using them....

what you using????

[zazen999]

I've got a range of things - bought labels, cut up packing case strips, wooden sticks painted in chalk board paint, stones with 'seed saving' painted on for those that I'm saving for the seeds [obviously] which need to be labeled or the OH will pull them up when he's feeling 'helpful'.

[Eyren]

Um, I haven't so far

I label my modules and pots, because frankly one tomato seedling looks exactly like another*, but when it comes time to put them out I like to keep written notes on where everything is planted. I have an A4 ringbinder full of notes going back to 2006 - the legacy of all those projects we had to do at school, I think!

For my pot labels, I have a few of those nice T-shaped copper tags, but mostly I use strips cut from plastic milk cartons - quick, easy and free!

* Unless it's a potato-leaved variety like "Matina"!

[Eco-Chic]

Cool ideas. I've far too many 1 pt and 1L milk cartons for my needs. Now have another use for them.

[Snadger]

Sticks with crop written in felt tip! (which reminds me I must pull out the markers for last years spud rows, even though they are now full of leeks!)

[lynda66]

last year i had a massive bag of white plastic knives forks and spoons, so used them with indelible marker.

they didn't last the winter, so bought some plant labels from wilkies shock horror

[sharonr]

I wash and reuse white plant labels. I write on them with a pencil and it comes off ok when I wash them.

[Digger-07]

For row markers I use cut up venetion (spelling?) blinds which I was given by another plot holder. Black marker stays on forever and the same strip gets used in a different place next year.

[kiwirach]

so far i am just recording things in a garden diary....every now and again i draw and up to date plan of the plot labelling where things are.
this year i may have to try some inground markers because i will be having more in the ground, and a few varieties of the same thing.

[jackie j]

Plastic labels with permanant marker pen but I also put the date so I cant reuse them. I have tried using the pencil but it washes off in the rain.

[Pompeylottie]

Already this year I have managed to mess up my labelling, I am using cut up plastic milk containers but have used non waterproof marker and now I have "surprise" tomatoes as the variety names have washed off! Bit of a nusiance as I am planning to sell the plants at work again (for 20p) which goes towards our nominated office charity for the year. I did the same last year - still haven't learnt my lesson!

[Eco-Chic]

More useful advice

Note to self: Make sure ink is indelible/date in pencil.

[kernowyon]

use drinks cans, easy to cut into strips and if you use a ball point pen on a pile of newspaper you can 'etch' the name onto it, that way you don't need to worry about if the ink runs/fades etc.

[Two_Sheds]

so called 'permanent' ink does fade in sunlight, so pencil is better. You can rub it off for re-use with some wet & dry sandpaper.

I like the longer plant labels for outdoors, as they easily get trodden in the ground... we had no idea what spuds we were digging up as all the labels were lost in the soil & foliage.
This year I am tying my labels to support canes.
I might even get round to using the slats out of an old louvre door that's in my shed.

I tried Ball Pen balls on top of canes, but they shatter after one season too.

[bluemoon]

I go the old plastic milk bottle route too. I like them as they can be made quite large for marking rows as well as standard size for pots and trays. I've just seen a chicken drinker made from one too. The chap uses a commercially bought drinker, but then dots a few ex-milk cartons around the place with a hole cut in the side. It means his chooks are never far from a drink in hot weather.