Plant Labels & Master Lists

brokenbar · March 9, 2014

I am appalled at how much dang plastic tags for seedlings cost. Tags seem to go up every year. Here is my method(s):

My Master list is very simple

P for Pepper, followed by a number, the name, the description

P1 Cayenne Spain Hot
P2 Cayenne Africa Hot

T for tomato

T1 Romeo US Paste

You get the picture. A simple numbering method means no writing long names on small tags. I bought these last year at .99 per 100, free shipping, re-usable, water proof:

I saw that the seller was again offering these (other colors available) on Ebay for the same price;http://www.ebay.com/itm/171123657351?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1497.l2649

The tags just go through the string so no having to cut them off. The tags are about an inch and a quarter across, plenty of room, using a paint pen, to write one letter and a number. At a penny apiece, even I, miser that I am, cannot complain. I might have mentioned that I also put the letter and number on each cup that contains a seedling. If you use peat cups, this obviously will not work for you.

dipchip2000 · March 9, 2014

I have solved my label problem by buying brandnew miniblinds at lowes for about
5 or 6 dollars each. Cut off all the hardware and string leaving nothing but the vinyl slats. They can be cut to desired length with any pair of scissors or shears. I usually cut mine to about 5 inches which works well with my 3inch pots. I also use a black paint pen to mark them. Its cheap,efficient, and never fades out. You can get hundreds from extra long or extra wide blinds. Buy the cheapest because you are going to cut them up anyway.

ron

salix · March 9, 2014

Great system, Mary, and thanks for the label info/source. Ron, I do the same -BUT, I buy the blinds at our local hospice thrift store. They are new, still in the box and I pay only 1 or 2 dollars. The only downside is a very sore hand because I end up doing all the cutting in one fell swoop. Wouldn't be so bad, but I like to cut the corners off one end to make it tapered.

brokenbar · March 9, 2014

See, that's my problem...arthritic hands. We still have some made from blind material but they are getting pretty ragged. I also just got tired of writing the whole varieties name on a tag. I get the paint pens on Ebay for 5 for 6.00 and sun or rain, the writing lasts all season. I planted 1300 peppers this year (126 varieties....) so an easy master list and easy tags just make my life well..easier!

I also find that the hanging tags are easier to locate on large plants rather than those in the ground, underneath all the foliage. I use the pink ones as they are so easy to see (like everything else, it seems, the eyesight is not what it used to be!)

mecktom · March 9, 2014

Mini blinds have worked for me for years....keep an eye out at the local dumpsters!!

ginger2778 · March 9, 2014

I like this idea. I am a super cheapo, and the blinds are hard to cut. What I do is go to Walmart, buy notebook dividers, they are translucent plastic. One sheet makes about 30 labels, the plastic is easier to cut than mini blinds, 8 sheets to a package for $2.99+ tax. So about 240 waterproof labels for $3. Your way is less expensive, and easier to see! I think I just converted.

Marsha

Worth1 · March 9, 2014

I have used something like this with a master list.
25=variety
T=Tomato.
R=Color

So a 25TR would be on the label and the master list.
The master list would have what it was.

Worth

brokenbar · March 9, 2014

I would like to think I could remember all the plant details as in "days of yore" but that is absolutely hysterical

I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday! Actually, a nice Totuava steak (Sea Bass) in a Mirasol (Guajillo) marinade, grilled to perfection! The Husband is away on a Peccarie, or more commonly, Javaporco hunting trip in Brazil. I am "at my leisure" for a change and enjoying the solitude. We have had so much company...they all know we are only home in Mexico every few months so they foist themselves upon us (especially when it's winter and this year, what with the awful US weather, we have become a "free" winter resort for every Tom, Dick and Harry that we know. I think we just need to buy a little beach shack and let everyone stay there!) Anyway, A Master List for me is essential. I refer to mine all the time and add details, etc. But keeping it simple is really the best way to go!

Alpinejs · March 9, 2014

My system is designed for the lazy man (me). I have the venetian blind label
at the base of the plant, but once the plant grows and gets bushy, I am too
lazy to get down and search, so I use pink surveyors tape tied to the top ring of the 53" cages that I use and write the name on the ribbon with a felt pen. Unless I
misunderstand Brokenbar's system, would I have to go to a book or sheet to
see what T-32 stood for or such as that? I am too lazy to do that and have a
strong desire to know each of my plants on first name basis.

peebee · March 10, 2014

Quote:

Originally Posted by brokenbar

I would like to think I could remember all the plant details as in "days of yore" but that is absolutely hysterical

I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday! Actually, a nice Totuava steak (Sea Bass) in a Mirasol (Guajillo) marinade, grilled to perfection! The Husband is away on a Peccarie, or more commonly, Javaporco hunting trip in Brazil. I am "at my leisure" for a change and enjoying the solitude. We have had so much company...they all know we are only home in Mexico every few months so they foist themselves upon us (especially when it's winter and this year, what with the awful US weather, we have become a "free" winter resort for every Tom, Dick and Harry that we know. I think we just need to buy a little beach shack and let everyone stay there!) Anyway, A Master List for me is essential. I refer to mine all the time and add details, etc. But keeping it simple is really the best way to go!

I lived in Hawaii for 10 years and I feel your pain! Yes, people think they MUST see you now that you live in a resort (for them) area. What a relief to move away to CA. Not as desirable a destination. Only have visitors once a year now.

dipchip2000 · March 10, 2014

I forgot to mention that when the plant gets larger and I put my CRW cages around them I take the miniblind label and punch a hole near the end with a paper punch and zip tie to the top wire of the cage. No more bending over to read. The smallest beaded zip ties are one dollar for a package of a hundred at lowes. They have always lasted all season. Use the black UV tolerant ones.

ron

luigiwu · March 10, 2014

How are they reuseable? How do you remove what was written with your paint marker from the previous year?

brokenbar · March 10, 2014

Finger nail polish remover or a little paint thinner on a cloth...comes right off.

dpurdy · March 10, 2014

I've used mini blinds to make labels in the past. I made a bunch of small ones for seedlings and some larger ones for the garden. They're a little time consuming to make, so I use a rainy or snowy day leading up to spring, to do simple projects like this one. Here's a couple of pics to show how I made my plant labels. The large ones are 11 inches long and the small ones are 4 inches in length. Very simple and very cheap, but they do the job.
dpurdy

habitat_gardener · March 10, 2014

I'm even cheaper. I use the labels that come from nursery plants, which I find tossed on the ground at the community garden, or in a local nursery's recycling dumpster. Many of these are blank on one side. I write on them with a grease pencil, which lasts all summer. Each spring I wash and erase the still-usable labels.

I also give away a lot of plants, and if I have time to write labels for them, I use a sharpie. Since I've spent $0 on the labels, I don't mind using 100 of them when I give away plants.

I've also used wooden popsicle sticks, which I used to find at craft stores for something like $3 for a box of 1000. Lately the price seems to have gone up, though. I do still find these at craft shares, for free. Sharpies don't work as well on them -- the ink runs along the grain of the wood. Pencil or pen work better. Composted when no longer usable as a label.

March 9, 2014	#1
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	Plant Labels & Master Lists I am appalled at how much dang plastic tags for seedlings cost. Tags seem to go up every year. Here is my method(s): My Master list is very simple P for Pepper, followed by a number, the name, the description P1 Cayenne Spain Hot P2 Cayenne Africa Hot T for tomato T1 Romeo US Paste You get the picture. A simple numbering method means no writing long names on small tags. I bought these last year at .99 per 100, free shipping, re-usable, water proof: I saw that the seller was again offering these (other colors available) on Ebay for the same price;http://www.ebay.com/itm/171123657351?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p398 4.m1497.l2649 The tags just go through the string so no having to cut them off. The tags are about an inch and a quarter across, plenty of room, using a paint pen, to write one letter and a number. At a penny apiece, even I, miser that I am, cannot complain. I might have mentioned that I also put the letter and number on each cup that contains a seedling. If you use peat cups, this obviously will not work for you. __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

March 9, 2014	#2
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	plant labels? I have solved my label problem by buying brandnew miniblinds at lowes for about 5 or 6 dollars each. Cut off all the hardware and string leaving nothing but the vinyl slats. They can be cut to desired length with any pair of scissors or shears. I usually cut mine to about 5 inches which works well with my 3inch pots. I also use a black paint pen to mark them. Its cheap,efficient, and never fades out. You can get hundreds from extra long or extra wide blinds. Buy the cheapest because you are going to cut them up anyway. ron

March 9, 2014	#3
salix Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: north central B.C. Posts: 2,310	Great system, Mary, and thanks for the label info/source. Ron, I do the same -BUT, I buy the blinds at our local hospice thrift store. They are new, still in the box and I pay only 1 or 2 dollars. The only downside is a very sore hand because I end up doing all the cutting in one fell swoop. Wouldn't be so bad, but I like to cut the corners off one end to make it tapered. __________________ "He who has a library and a garden wants for nothing." -Cicero

March 9, 2014	#4
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	See, that's my problem...arthritic hands. We still have some made from blind material but they are getting pretty ragged. I also just got tired of writing the whole varieties name on a tag. I get the paint pens on Ebay for 5 for 6.00 and sun or rain, the writing lasts all season. I planted 1300 peppers this year (126 varieties....) so an easy master list and easy tags just make my life well..easier! I also find that the hanging tags are easier to locate on large plants rather than those in the ground, underneath all the foliage. I use the pink ones as they are so easy to see (like everything else, it seems, the eyesight is not what it used to be!) __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

March 9, 2014	#8
brokenbar Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: South Of The Border Posts: 1,169	I would like to think I could remember all the plant details as in "days of yore" but that is absolutely hysterical I can barely remember what I had for lunch yesterday! Actually, a nice Totuava steak (Sea Bass) in a Mirasol (Guajillo) marinade, grilled to perfection! The Husband is away on a Peccarie, or more commonly, Javaporco hunting trip in Brazil. I am "at my leisure" for a change and enjoying the solitude. We have had so much company...they all know we are only home in Mexico every few months so they foist themselves upon us (especially when it's winter and this year, what with the awful US weather, we have become a "free" winter resort for every Tom, Dick and Harry that we know. I think we just need to buy a little beach shack and let everyone stay there!) Anyway, A Master List for me is essential. I refer to mine all the time and add details, etc. But keeping it simple is really the best way to go! __________________ "If I'm not getting dirty, I'm not having a good time."

March 9, 2014	#5
mecktom Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Southern Virginia Posts: 342	Mini blinds have worked for me for years....keep an eye out at the local dumpsters!!

March 9, 2014	#6
ginger2778 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Plantation, Florida zone 10 Posts: 9,283	I like this idea. I am a super cheapo, and the blinds are hard to cut. What I do is go to Walmart, buy notebook dividers, they are translucent plastic. One sheet makes about 30 labels, the plastic is easier to cut than mini blinds, 8 sheets to a package for $2.99+ tax. So about 240 waterproof labels for $3. Your way is less expensive, and easier to see! I think I just converted. Marsha

March 9, 2014	#7
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	I have used something like this with a master list. 25=variety T=Tomato. R=Color So a 25TR would be on the label and the master list. The master list would have what it was. Worth

March 9, 2014	#9
Alpinejs Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Alpine, Calif. in winter. Sandpoint Lake, Ont. Canada summers Posts: 850	My system is designed for the lazy man (me). I have the venetian blind label at the base of the plant, but once the plant grows and gets bushy, I am too lazy to get down and search, so I use pink surveyors tape tied to the top ring of the 53" cages that I use and write the name on the ribbon with a felt pen. Unless I misunderstand Brokenbar's system, would I have to go to a book or sheet to see what T-32 stood for or such as that? I am too lazy to do that and have a strong desire to know each of my plants on first name basis.

March 10, 2014	#11
dipchip2000 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Muskogee, Oklahoma Posts: 664	I forgot to mention that when the plant gets larger and I put my CRW cages around them I take the miniblind label and punch a hole near the end with a paper punch and zip tie to the top wire of the cage. No more bending over to read. The smallest beaded zip ties are one dollar for a package of a hundred at lowes. They have always lasted all season. Use the black UV tolerant ones. ron

March 10, 2014	#12
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	How are they reuseable? How do you remove what was written with your paint marker from the previous year?

March 10, 2014	#15
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,540	I'm even cheaper. I use the labels that come from nursery plants, which I find tossed on the ground at the community garden, or in a local nursery's recycling dumpster. Many of these are blank on one side. I write on them with a grease pencil, which lasts all summer. Each spring I wash and erase the still-usable labels. I also give away a lot of plants, and if I have time to write labels for them, I use a sharpie. Since I've spent $0 on the labels, I don't mind using 100 of them when I give away plants. I've also used wooden popsicle sticks, which I used to find at craft stores for something like $3 for a box of 1000. Lately the price seems to have gone up, though. I do still find these at craft shares, for free. Sharpies don't work as well on them -- the ink runs along the grain of the wood. Pencil or pen work better. Composted when no longer usable as a label.