Ginevra Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I’m being facetious. 😂 But I did realize what might be a solution to a small, yet maddening problem in my vegetable garden every year. I grow many of my own plants from seed and I’m always trying to figure out an effective yet inexpensive way to label and keep track of the varieties. I have written on craft sticks, but they soon “disappear” once the tomatoes or peppers get tall. I think they decompose or something. Anyway, the disappear. Sometimes I use plastic sticks, but they get a but pricey and it bugs me to then have dirty plastic sticks all over the garden. And they still tend to get buried in foliage such that I can really find them, either. But! What if I make a little cardstock tag, laminate it, and attach it with a twist-tie or string to the top of the tomato cages? This would work, no? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 I think you'd have to use really thick laminating material to get it to last all season, but I do think it's a good idea! I use those plastic sticks- each season I pull them all up, scrub them, and then I am able to re-use them the following year. I've started using the super long six inch ones and I love them! They're so long they never get lost under the foliage at all. But, you got me thinking... some of those plastic labels already have holes in them. Stringing them up and hanging them on the cages would be a great idea. https://www.amazon.com/Mkono-Plastic-Labels-Greenhouse-Supplies/dp/B06XPCW7PK/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=plastic+garden+labels&qid=1553296857&s=gateway&sr=8-9 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Luggage tags (Dollar store kind) 🙂 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 12 minutes ago, Lady Marmalade said: I think you'd have to use really thick laminating material to get it to last all season, but I do think it's a good idea! I use those plastic sticks- each season I pull them all up, scrub them, and then I am able to re-use them the following year. I've started using the super long six inch ones and I love them! They're so long they never get lost under the foliage at all. But, you got me thinking... some of those plastic labels already have holes in them. Stringing them up and hanging them on the cages would be a great idea. https://www.amazon.com/Mkono-Plastic-Labels-Greenhouse-Supplies/dp/B06XPCW7PK/ref=sr_1_9?keywords=plastic+garden+labels&qid=1553296857&s=gateway&sr=8-9 I think this is the way to go! You probably don’t remember this but several years ago, you gave me several recommendations for tomatoe varieties you found to be good bearers. I just started my seeds today and I still think of you when I plant Arkansas Traveler, Pantano Romanesco and Cosmonaut Volkov. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 You could also use different colors of ribbon and keep the "key" inside the house. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 1 minute ago, Quill said: I think this is the way to go! You probably don’t remember this but several years ago, you gave me several recommendations for tomatoe varieties you found to be good bearers. I just started my seeds today and I still think of you when I plant Arkansas Traveler, Pantano Romanesco and Cosmonaut Volkov. Cosmonot Volkov is the only non cherry size tomato I plant... they haven’t borne well for us, but flavor has been excellent! I love the idea of variety tags placed high. I have tried labeler labels (like Brother) which give sticky back that can be wound onto a stick... with mixed results... I guess that too could be put on tomato cage. Though only planting only one variety of cherry tomato, one of bigger cuts down confusion. I have that problem sometimes with lettuce, spinach, types of basil though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 4 minutes ago, happi duck said: You could also use different colors of ribbon and keep the "key" inside the house. I have done something like this before, indicating the varieties on my graph paper plan. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted March 22, 2019 Share Posted March 22, 2019 Indoor/outdoor like this: Brother Genuine P-touch TZE-345 Tape, 3/4" (0.7") Wide Standard Laminated Tape, White on Black, Laminated for Indoor or Outdoor Use, Water-Resistant, 0.7" x 26.2' (18mm x 8M), Single-Pack, TZE345 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004I2M4AK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_hvxLCb6WCP42W 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 Or DIY metal markers with aluminum like this: https://youshouldgrow.com/garden-markers/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katy Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 These are easier but more expensive: https://homeiswheretheboatis.net/2018/04/16/diy-hand-stamped-garden-markers/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 (edited) We purchased an old mini-blind at a garage sale for $1. We pulled out the 1" white plastic slats, cut them to an appropriate length, write on them with sharpies. You'll have to rewrite or use new ones each year, but it works. You get a lot of marker material for cheap. Edited March 23, 2019 by Bambam 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lady Marmalade Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 16 hours ago, Quill said: I think this is the way to go! You probably don’t remember this but several years ago, you gave me several recommendations for tomatoe varieties you found to be good bearers. I just started my seeds today and I still think of you when I plant Arkansas Traveler, Pantano Romanesco and Cosmonaut Volkov. Awe, this is so awesome! And those are still good varieties. 🙂 I'm always looking for new ones, but the old faithful varieties are always such a treat. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wintermom Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 Draw a map of your garden and indicate approximately how many plants of each variety along with their location. I've seen people do this, and it was also helpful in the pre-planting process of deciding how to organize the garden. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pen Posted March 23, 2019 Share Posted March 23, 2019 12 hours ago, Margaret in CO said: Strange idea, but look at sheep and goat ear tags. You can write on them and they last forever. What do you use to write on them? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HS Mom in NC Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 There's a variety of options at Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/s?k=plant+labels&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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