Labels - I need an easy solution
 

Ok, this seems like a dumb problem, even to me. But my brain isn't coming up with a nice easy solution.

I have the white plastic plant labels with the name of each tomato variety written on them, stuck into the containers. But, now that the plants are getting bigger, it's getting to be a real nuisance to bend over and root around in the foliage to view the label. (I do have a chart on the computer for backup).

I have Florida weave, so there's a stake every 2 plants. What I'd like to do is find a way to easily affix the labels to the top of the stake, so I can read it without bending over. It's metal t-posts at the ends of the row, and wood stakes in between the plants.

I was thinking of tape, but not sure what would be waterproof.

Any ideas?

If you don't mind buying labels, I'd recommend [url]http://www.everlastlabel.com/[/url]

They have many different styles and they are all durable. They're in Southwest Michigan, so shipping to you should take 2-3 days tops.

I also made some labels this year by printing names on an 8 1/2 x 11" sheet of paper and then having it laminated at the local UPS store. Cost me about $2.00. Cut out the individual labels, punched a hole with a hold punch and used twine to affix to each cage.

I use pieces of cut-up milk jug for labels.
I use a paper punch for the hole and a twist-tie for securing.

[IMG]http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y98/cooko75/tag.jpg[/IMG]

~Dig

Well those are all some good ideas, thank you. I was thinking of how to get the current labels attached to the post. But it certainly wouldn't hurt me to make some new ones!

I knew my brain wasn't working well today.

[QUOTE=DiggingDogFarm;222217]I use pieces of cut-up milk jug for labels.
I use a paper punch for the hole and a twist-tie for securing.

~Dig[/QUOTE]

I like it. Probably going to try this one next.

I did some searching a few weeks ago and was surprised that not much showed up online. Might be out there, I just didn't find it.

I use neon post it notes and mark it heavy with black marker the name of the tomato. I then tape it to the wood stake with heavy duty clear packing tape. The summer sun usually bleaches out the name as time goes on but you can still somehow make out what it is.

The tape usually holds on unless too much water seeps behind it. Sometimes I replace them mid-season. Just love finding extra stuff to do in the garden.

It's possible that something like rubber cement would work to attach them to the wooden posts.

Barbee gave me the idea to use cut up aluminum from pop cans. You can use a blunt pencil tip to engrave the name of the plant and then twist tie them to the plant, no fading of ink that way. I didn't have time yet to do it this year but next year I will, I already have my pop can label stash started.

I basically use the same method as fortyonenorth, but I use 3x5 index cards and have found that using a lead pencil for labeling works better than ink pens or permamarkers - won't fade and not a problem if it gets wet. When laminating leave an inch above the top of the index card and punch the holes about a half inch above the top of the index card. If its too close to the top of the index card then rain will seep into it.

[QUOTE=lurley;222225]Barbee gave me the idea to use cut up aluminum from pop cans. You can use a blunt pencil tip to engrave the name of the plant and then twist tie them to the plant, no fading of ink that way. I didn't have time yet to do it this year but next year I will, I already have my pop can label stash started.[/QUOTE]


Very neat idea for a more permanent marker!!


~Dig;)

I have been using that rubbery stretchy surveyors tape that comes in bright colors. I use pink, neon yellow or orange. I just hold the roll and pull off enough to tie with and write on the roll the variety and the date set out then cut or tear off that piece and tie it to something at eye level. I use a sharpie marker and it usually fades some by the end of the season but if the plant lasts long enough I can just make another and tie it on to replace the faded one. It does look a little like a used car lot with all the little ribbons of tape blowing in the wind. The thing I like the most is the ease of doing this and the cost which is next to nothing. Below is a picture of my trellis with markers tied on.

[QUOTE=b54red;222236]I have been using that rubbery stretchy surveyors tape that comes in bright colors. I use pink, neon yellow or orange. I just hold the roll and pull off enough to tie with and write on the roll the variety and the date set out then cut or tear off that piece and tie it to something at eye level. I use a sharpie marker and it usually fades some by the end of the season but if the plant lasts long enough I can just make another and tie it on to replace the faded one. It does look a little like a used car lot with all the little ribbons of tape blowing in the wind. The thing I like the most is the ease of doing this and the cost which is next to nothing. Below is a picture of my trellis with markers tied on.[/QUOTE]

That's another very cool idea!!!

I like it!


~Dig

Tam

Use the labels you have now. Punch a hole in it and use the smallest Zip-tie that will go around your t-post. some t-post even have holes in them at different increments which would let you use an even shorter Zip-tie. You can buy the Zip-ties at Lowes or HD and a pack of 100 is less than 3.00. Be sure to get the black ones because they are UV protected and will break easy from sun exposure. I use them and attach the labels to the cages about shoulder height.

ron

This isn't the easiest or quickest solution - but I read about somewhere & thought it was a great idea if you are at all artsy...

Find some decent sized rocks & paint or draw the label on them! Seal with outdoor podge and you are done! You can get pretty creative with the rocks. My parsnip label has a picture of a parsnip for the P, Tomato always has a tomato picture for the O. If anyone is interested I will post a pic later.

Cheers!

i found that anything i wrote with was faded by the sun regardless of what it was. i use a map and keep 1 copy in the house and 1 copy in the garage. after a couple of weeks i sorta know the plants by location in the garden but once they start to produce fruit i know by the shapes and colors but then i just grow 8 or 9 plants.

tom

B54red - that sounds like a nice easy idea. Where do you buy that tape?

DIPCHIP2000 - I was thinking of that, but these labels seem like they might be hard to get a hole into. I'll have to give one a try - I might need to use a drill (lol, making it not meet my "easy" criteria)

Tam

I just use a single hole punch from dollar store. Try it and see.

ron

I make my own, which I can get two seasons out of if I need to. They are just an ID size Laminating Pouch, the hole is done using an ordinary paper hole punch. Zip tie them to the stake or cage. ;)

Lots of great ideas. OK, I'm going to see if I can punch a hole in those labels first - since I'm feeling lazy, and they're already written...

use a zip tie and zip tie the current wood label to the t post they are pretty cheap and work

I use flagging tape and a permanent marker ($2 roll). The marker fades a bit over time but I can still read the name at the end of the season.

The paint markers that are used on plastic livestock ear tags don't fade. They're a bit pricey, but one goes a long way.

[url]http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-identification/id-ear-tags/y-tex-tag-ink-pen-marker-for-permanent-marking-of-identification-ear-tag-2260020[/url]

~Dig

Oh cool, I love Tractor Supply. And Farm and Fleet.

And while you're at it, the ear tags would make a great, super durable label. [url]http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-identification/id-ear-tags/all-american-ear-tag-y-tex-large-blank-white-2267200[/url]

[QUOTE=DiggingDogFarm;222285]The paint markers that are used on plastic livestock ear tags don't fade. They're a bit pricey, but one goes a long way.

[url]http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-identification/id-ear-tags/y-tex-tag-ink-pen-marker-for-permanent-marking-of-identification-ear-tag-2260020[/url]

~Dig[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=fortyonenorth;222317]And while you're at it, the ear tags would make a great, super durable label. [url]http://www.tractorsupply.com/livestock/livestock-identification/id-ear-tags/all-american-ear-tag-y-tex-large-blank-white-2267200[/url][/QUOTE]

Yes they sure would!
They'll last a very long time, several years!


~Dig

Heres what I do. I bought a package of Avery Weather proof labels (not cheap but one package will last for years) 2x4 size. I have a laser printer so I was able to print my varieties out on them, but you can also use marker. Then I cut them out at 1/2inch strips, and put them on cut up milk jugs.

That way I can reuse the plastic. The labels hold up well
Here in the desert too. This is one of the ones that were affixed to a pre bought label.

I'm not for sure if this was brought up yet but here is my take on the tag subject.

Many of you guys sit around the house dreaming of you tomato garden in the winter.
Too cold to do anything outside and nothing else to do.
With my solution you will have tags for the rest of your life and never have to worry about Ink fading or UV deterioration.

You can buy blank brass metal tags on line for around $29 a hundred count.
get a metal lettering and numbering set and do as you wish with the tags.
My suggestion would be a number letter combo for a code as to what you have.
Tie the tags to your cages with copper wire and you have it, tags for life.
You only spend money one time and it is over.

I also think with today's technology you could put bar code labels on a tag and scan.
When you scan you have the ability to input information as you wish.
Just think of it, you go to the garden scan a plant and put in information you can then put on a data base for later reference.

I use this system at work and it is great.
I can go to a job do my work and without paperwork everything is on this database for later reference by way of what we call a rout code.

This is a really fantastic system.

With the way I read about you guys and your record keeping it would seem you would embrace this technology with open arms.:)

Me, I just like a good tomato.:lol:


Worth

I got that idea from here. Maybe Darrel?

I printed the names on 8-1/2 X 11 paper with a regular inkjet printer, cut the names out with scissors, laminated them with clear tape (2" wide like you tape boxes with before mailing/shipping), trimmed the tape a half inch or so from the edge of the label, and attached them to wood clothespins with thumbtacks. Clip them to the top of the post or top of cages. Works fine................

That's nice and easy and low tech.