Cell markers

[Dixana]

Well since I'm growing 1-2 of roughly 20 types of tomatoes I need to be super careful in how they're marked so I can keep track to save seeds. Suggestions? I was thinking toothpicks with pasking tape but the sharpie won't stay on the stupid tape if it gets wets.....

[Duh_Vinci]

Dixana,

If I understand you correctly, you are talking about making some kind of flags?

If so, you are right, permanent marker does not last... I found that for me, the least expensive method that works is old blinds (of if you don't have any, walmart sells them for as little as $2.99 - these will last you for 4-5 years worth of label making).

White blinds tend to be a little more porous, so permanent marker stays very very long time. I was cleaning the garden past weekend, found few of those labels from last season still in the ground, and still, very readable.

Blinds are easy to cut to any size you want too...



Regards,
D

[Dixana]

GENIUS!!! Now I wonder how mad the hubby would be If I chooped up the living rooms the cat and child have half destroyed anyway....

You're awesome D!!

[Duh_Vinci]

Dixana,

I don't think I'm the first one by any means

But few years back, I was lurking through the seed racks at Lowe's and noticed $3.99 for a pack of plant markers. About 20 or so in the pack, which I thought was ridiculous! And I already had the blinds for the basement of the house we just built in the basket. So there it was for me, and I have been using the same blinds set for the past 3 years

Have fun!

Regards,
D

[DoubleDogFarm]

This is the Garden Marker we use and highly recommend it.

http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/prod ... marker-pen

Eric

[Marlingardener]

Permanent markers are more or less permanent. I use cut up blinds with china markers. Many craft stores sell marking pens made for marking china, and those are permanent!
I've even saved markers from one year to use the next. Yes, I am frugal, or as my husband says, I throw nickels around like they were manhole covers!

[Dixana]

Thanks for the link eric.
For the outside garden I'm thinking of starting a mini home business making clay garden markers. When I showed a few of the farmers market girls a stetch last year they loved it and wanted some, but I haven't found access to a kiln as of yet. I mold clay into little veggies and paint them, or make little spades and write plant names on. Very cute for the simple gardener. Don't think I'm going to make them for my 20+ mater varieties though LOL.

[gardenvt]

I use a spread sheet to note where things are in the flats. Tomorrow, I will be starting a variety of veggies in a 200 plug flat. I block off each area for a particular seed and note it on the printed grid.

Once I move these up, I use plastic markers for each pot - these can be bleached so are reuseable.

Tomatoes are the one plant that get clip on type tags once they are large enough. I got mine at a farm store - 50 for $2.50 and they can be reused.
I still put an upright plastic marker in the pot but I like the clip on type in case the squirrels decide to raid the garden so I will know which plant is which.

It works for me.

[soil]

we use the 300 pack of Popsicle sticks from the dollar store. easy, cheap, effective.

[DoubleDogFarm]

we use the 300 pack of Popsicle sticks from the dollar store. easy, cheap, effect

I've done this also. A box of 500 tongue depressors. Inexpensive and biodegradable.

Eric

[csvd87]

you can also draw up a cell map.

I got a 200 pack of wooden coffee stir sticks from wal-mart for 72 cents.

[soil]

also if you grow bamboo or know anyone who does, you can split it into thin strips easily, cut them to about 5-6 inches in length and use them as temporary markers/labels. they last about 6 months or less depending on how wet they get and hot hot it is. i find one small bamboo pole will give me a few dozen labels.

[lily51]

I use the greenhouse megastore for many of my supllies for my 18x28 greenhouse. There is a roll of 1000 plastic markers that tear off, for about $15-$17. This is probably more than you want or need, but maybe you can find someone(s) to share the cost with.
Things are cheaper the earlier in the year you purchase them. I tried using popsicle sticks in the greenhouse, but even with permanant marker, the writing faded over time. Sharpie waterproof markers work well on the plastic labels.

[Kisal]

A paint pen works much better than permanent ink. That's what I use now, thanks to a suggestion by Lorax here.

[Bobberman]

Look for the vertical blinds they are larger and you can get 100,s of tags from them. I cut mine in a triangle with the sharp edge in the dirt! Also the back of floor vinyl is great! On my boxes of seeds planted I put the seed package inside a small zip bag and staple it to my styrofoam box no writting! Put all your seed packs on your color copier or just cut the part of the seed pack you want and do 20 seed packs on one sheet and put it into a plastic bag. You can also put a piece of clear tape over the labe you copy and tape it to the seed box! Another thing is save your old seed catalogs and cut the label out for the seed you are planting in the plastic bag! it does look more professionl. if you are selling plants get the seed catalog and blow up the plant picture and it will sell much quicker!
+++++Sometimes when you read your own post you get something out of it that you forgot you actually wrote. The part about making a color copy of the actual seed pack is a great idea then put it in a plastic bag and staple of clip it to the box! is also reat for selling the plants!