muddypaws
Ohio
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:14 am Post subject: Cheap Garden Markers |
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I priced some on line and, well, I'm cheap. Home Depot has these little square blocks for landscaping for 25c. Thought I could write the name of the plants (mostly hosta types) on them with maybe a paint pen? Any suggestions?
Also, what do you use to mark your plants?????
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Delly
 Quizmaster
Clintwood Virginia
Posts: 312
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:16 am Post subject: |
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I used some old wooden spoons that I found at a yard sale, I painted them with outdoor paint in bright colors, then used the same kind of paint to write down the names of the plants. When I was done, I used a heavy duty clear top coat and "planted" them near the plants as identifiers!
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cherylad
Regular Plants Contributor
S. Liberty County - Texas
Posts: 5268
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:34 am Post subject: |
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A really cheap way is to use a permanent marker on plastic knives, spoons and/or forks. Of course they aren't permanent, but they do last a while.
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Karrma
Western Washington State
Posts: 264
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 7:26 am Post subject: |
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My dad had some aluminum or metal tags, that he could write on, and the indentation stayed forever. I have not seen those recently, but they lasted. I use popsicle sticks, write with a heavy pencil seems to last better than pen.
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carolyn keiper
northern ohio
Posts: 2626
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:43 pm Post subject: |
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I do recommend using a pencil on wooden markers if you choose this material. Permanent marker will fade outside, pencil does not.
I made the aluminum can instructions (I found on the stew here, somewhere) for my plants that I wanted to keep their scientific and common name by them. I cut a wire hanger, straightened it and then re-bent it with 10-12" "legs and about a 4" label space. I then cut an aluminum can (carefully, cut off the top and bottom, the width you need it), measure the label for the width of the frame and fold over and flatten for the frame as needed. Use a pen and write on the label using a surface such as a cutting board (you will need to press hard) to make nice permanent writing on it.
I keep a supply of them on hand to make the labels as needed.
( photo / image / picture from carolyn keiper's Garden )
Last edited by carolyn keiper on Tue Sep 13, 2011 2:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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marlingardener
Central Texas, zone 8
Posts: 2379
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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Never throw away old Venetian blinds! The slats, cut to appropriate lengths, make great plant markers. Granted, they aren't as lovely as Carolyn's aluminum ones.
I tried using one of those black "Permanent" marker pens, which faded. However, a china marking pen lasted. They are available at most hobby shops (although I am still trying to figure out why anyone would want to write on plates). One Venetian blind will give you a lifetime's worth of plant markers.
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stratsmom
Southern Oregon
Posts: 2561
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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I was going to say old mini blinds! I bought a daylily off of ebay and they had it marked with the blind, I thought that was the most amazing idea  Guess I'm easily amused 
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marlingardener
Central Texas, zone 8
Posts: 2379
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 3:34 pm Post subject: |
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Stratsmom, brilliant minds run in the same vein (or in this case, Venetian slats)  .
I use the slats to mark trays of seedlings; mark where I have planted seeds in the flower beds (I do occasionally forget where I've planted things); and to mark plants that I'm giving away.
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Donna S
Virginia
Posts: 591
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 10:26 am Post subject: |
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I use bleach bottles, milk jugs or any plastic container that you can write on. They are easy to cut and you can make labels any size you need.
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Cayuga Morning
New England
Posts: 442
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:11 am Post subject: |
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Wow! I like all the different solutions to this problem. I have noticed that ordinary marker fades, sometimes over just one winter. I use the aluminum tags that you make an impression on. I bought them at a garden store for $2.79 for 50 (Cole's Aluminum Markers).
But I love the venetian blind idea. So if I write on it with a china pen (who knew there were such things?) or pencil, it will last?
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Netty
Regular Plants Contributor
Southern Ontario zone 5a
Posts: 10307
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| Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2011 11:25 am Post subject: |
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I use old blinds too, with pencil. Marker will not stay so it MUST be pencil
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muddypaws
Ohio
Posts: 105
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| Posted: Tue Sep 20, 2011 1:50 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the great ideas! I think I'll try the flat rocks (got lots of those) with permanent marker. I bought a bunch of hosta "starts" from the internet and now i have about 25 different kinds. Have lots of shade in my yard.
Thanks for the ideas!
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