The rain and sun won't fade this

[ContainerTed]

I got to thinking about putting names on the plants out in the garden. I keep maps and lists, etc. But like everyone else, my plant tags have a habit of getting lost and/or sun/rain fading to the point where you can't read them. Some folks, in other discussions, had talked about things like metal tape that you could write on and essentially embossing the names.

I was looking around the internet and found sets of punches that have the letters and numbers and can be "stamped" on anything metal. So, then I started to think about what kind of metal I could find in good supply for real cheap.

Here's my solution. Full names or abbreviations can be stamped into metal and plastic. With the plastic, you can add a bit of Sharpie and the name stands out a bit more.

On the negative side, it looks to be a time consuming job, but I have a lot of time between now and planting out. On the positive, I think it will survive the weather. And, as a bonus, it gives me a use for those canning lids.

You thoughts???

[JamesL]

Ted,
I like it. Presuming you have the time to do it.
An inexpensive permanent solution.

[Cole_Robbie]

That is a really neat idea! Sheet metal would be cheaper than new lids, but then the tags would have sharp corners. Your lids look unused, but used metal lids from anything would work also, then it would be free.

[ContainerTed]

These are all "used" lids. I also drill a hole on the edge of these lids and then hang them up in the garden using string. They twirl and flash in the slightest wind and keep most of the birds out.

[bwaynef]

Here's the same idea ...'cept you don't have to have a set of punches/letters. Just "write" on them with a pencil, a pen (nothing felt-tipped I'd imagine) ...or a sharpened stick even.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/100-METAL-TR...item3f021018cf

[ContainerTed]

BTW, the set of punches was only 16 bucks each. I got a 1/8" set and a 1/4" set. I think I like the smaller one better. Oh, BTW, the used canning lids are technically free.

I like bwaynef's idea-

[delltraveller]

The canning lids are large enough that they would be easy to locate, too.

[rwsacto]

Others have cut strips from aluminum cans, punched a hole in the end for a wire and used an old ball point pen to engrave the name into the tag.

[Got Worms?]

Others have cut strips from their hands with aluminum can stock trying to make labels to use in the garden.

I like Ted's idea, or use old vinyl venetian blinds cut into labels with a scissor and marked with a paint pen.
Charlie

[clara]

Some years ago, I bought 2000 wooden tongue depressors (those for ear, nose and throat specialists) on ebay for very little money. I drill a small hole in one end (can do about 12 at a time with the machine), put a small wire through the hole and then write the variety's name on both sides of the depressor with a permanent pen. The depressors are attached to the sticks/spirals etc. and I've never had any writing fade away by sun or rain. I've also experimented with plastic tags, but sometimes the writing was gone, at least on one side.

When all my depressors are gone, I'll come back to your idea, Ted (if I have enough time). clara

[Doug9345]

One year I bought a box of tongue depressors at Michaels for $5 for a 1000 of them. THey called them something like craft stick, but they weree the same thing except not individually wraped an sterile.

[Tapout]

Use white siding it lasts forever outside.

[Doug9345]

What do you write on it with?

[ScottinAtlanta]

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trks...sors+&_sacat=0