Labels on plantings

bertrand-mabel

It is so easy to sow seeds and forget what they are.

If the packet is used up then that can be the label with the date added.

If no packet, then making a note in the diary about what you have sown and when so that you can check back.

Fairygirl

Pencil is often better for labelling, or a Chinagraph pencil, rather than those so called indelible markers. They just wash off outdoors. Fine for any indoor sowings, and short term use.
Making a note in a book is always a good idea, as long as you know which tray/pot is which. Ten pots the same, but with different seeds, is just as tricky as no label at all   

GardenerSuze

Old ice cream tubs, margarine tubs etc can be cut up to make labels.

Loxley

I've been using bamboo labels like this, with a soft 6B pencil

Woodgreen

Fairygirl said:

Pencil is often better for labelling, or a Chinagraph pencil, rather than those so called indelible markers. 

An idea for the next student who wants to invent something to help gardeners perhaps? An indelible indelible marker?
I've not tried a Chinagraph pencil yet, will get one next time I'm anywhere that sells them.

JennyJ

Chinagraph pencils work for me apart from that I can't get (and keep) a sharp enough point on them to write small enough to fit everything I want to write on the label (plant name, date sown and how many seeds (if they're not teeny tiny ones)). If someone could invent something that writes like an ordinary pencil but sticks like a chinagraph, that would be fantastic.

Fire

I don't find that chinagraph work well on plastic.

I find Stabilo Write 4 All work pretty well for outside labels.

nutcutlet

Fire said:

I find Stabilo Write 4 All work pretty well for outside labels.

That's the one that works for me, legible until the plastic label gives up.
But I only use labels in pots not out in the garden

Woodgreen

It seems to come down to needing a fine point marker that won't fade or disappear.

So often, after just one winter, I find the name is indecipherable, but bizarrely there are dots where I've left off writing a letter or changed direction with the pen.

There follows a mad session of 'Join up the dots' which is rarely successful, followed by 'Wait and see what comes up.'

Does that Stabilo pen last a long time @Fire?

 

Fire

I've found the Stablio fine for 2-3 years outside. I can't speak for longer than that. Sanding the label with a bit of sand paper will probably help writing stay on longer than writing on a smooth/shiny surface.

Woodgreen

I'll try one of those @Fire, and the sanding idea makes sense.