Plastic labels

[supersprout]

I managed to break most of mine last year (trod on most of them or caught them when cutting the grass edges!)

So I'm looking into making some from wood - anyone got any idea's how

1.5" lath offcuts, 8-10" long - mark the family BIG (e.g. spuds) and the name with a little plastic label? Helps with crop rotation too

[Amanda1]

why don't you try making your own from used milk cartons. There's a piece on how to do it in this months GYO. You can then just throw them away when you're done and make some new ones

I've done this aswell, I get about 17 labels from the bottom part of a 2pint milk carton but I also wanted to re-use my old plant labels. Some of them are quite absorbent so the marker hasn't come off so I'm just going to use the other side with a different colour pen and throw them away after use. The carton labels have worked really well, I'm already working out how many labels I'll be able to cut out by the time April comes (I don't tend to sow before then). I've also managed to accumulate about 20 loo rolls to use like root trainers. Roll on April!

[yoanbob]

perfume or nail varnish remover works well.
also when labeling try using china markers instead of pen, its like a vwery waxy pencil type thing, it wipes off easily for next year and is water proof.

[Alison]

I don't ever like to throw things away but do agree it can be hard to remove the writing. Usually resort to nail varnish but like the idea above re the china markers - only problem is, I've no idea what they are or where you get them from. Anybody able to help?

[CarolineSonning]

I don't ever like to throw things away but do agree it can be hard to remove the writing. Usually resort to nail varnish but like the idea above re the china markers - only problem is, I've no idea what they are or where you get them from. Anybody able to help?

Alison, not sure if it's the best source but I spotted some on Amazon.

[Alison]

Alison, not sure if it's the best source but I spotted some on Amazon.

Thanks, have had a look so I now know what I'm looking for . Not sure I want 12 though so will have a look in my local craft shop.

[CarolineSonning]

Not sure I want 12 though so will have a look in my local craft shop.

I spotted one of their suppliers selling a pack of 2 which looked more reasonable! http://www.amazon.co.uk/CHINA-MARKER...&s=home-garden

[Alice]

Thanks for that Yoanbob, and for the link Caroline. They look like a good idea. I'll give them a go. Could be nice little pressies too for gardening friends - or people who have sent you seeds.

[Two_Sheds]

Last year I used a DVD marker (permanent) to write all my labels. 'cept it was a Poundshop marker and washed off or faded in the sun....result 100 blank labels, 100 trays of unknown seedlings. Buyer beware!

[Sue]

Hi
I spent two winter evenings scrubbing my plastic plant labels, lots of elbow grease, a toothbrush and a substance called Pierre d'Argent which I got from ecotopia, its 100% natural and biodegradable, made from clay, soap flakes green soap, glycerine and vegetable oil.
It's not too abrasive but enough to get the marker pen marks off. A bit messy but have got hundreds of nice clean labels.
Sue

[Snadger]

why don't you try making your own from used milk cartons. There's a piece on how to do it in this months GYO. You can then just throw them away when you're done and make some new ones

I've started to ogle milk cartons now!! OH thinks iIve finally cracked!!!:eek

[lyndap]

When clearing our plot last year we dug up some sizable stones. Large pebbles really. On a rainy day me and the kids painted on the names of the veg we are growing and placed them at the end of the rows. They look great.
They dont break and the strimmer does no harm. They wont blow away and if we wanted to we could wipe them with terps and re do them.

I really love this idea.I think I might give this a go with my 3year old grandson (def not with 2year old grand-daughter though,shes a titch but stroppy...more likely to chuck the stones at something than paint them )

[vicki lorraine]

Lovely idea Lyndap,
Your 3 year old could paint the background colour on and you could write the names on.
Children love to wash the stones too as they change colour in the water. Then they dry quickly and change back. Children are happy doing this for ages. Perhaps this could be a job for the 2 year old.
Im a preschool teacher so love to get them all involved.

Happy painting.

[eskymo]

I've given up using plastic plant labels - Even though I use permanent marker - it seems the text always disappears a few weeks after I've planted things - the sun seems to make it fade. I've opted to using wooden lollipop sticks this year and dipped one half in varnish, so that they don't go mouldy and written on the other half - I'm hoping these will be more permanent this year.

[nick the grief]

The best thing I've found is the cheapest pencils you can find ( The ones in hotels are good) as they tend to be soft lead and this won't fade and is easily removes with a bit of scouring pad.