[michellela]

I purchased two styles of plant markers but both made from white plastic.  For some plants I used the pen that came with the kit and for others I used a permanent marker I already owned.  Both types have turned out useless as the sun seems to have bleached away what was written.  This isn't so much of a problem as I've only planted a small amount but next year when I (hopefully) get into full flow this may prove to be my undoing.

So... what do you use that is effective?

[DD.]

The back of an envelope and a pencil to draw a plan and take home.

[Ice]

I use a pencil to write on my white plastic plant markers. They never fade and I can use an eraser and reuse them.

[Junie]

i had the same problem and turned to my parents, who use pencils, but find these wear off too, though not so quickly.  They also said they used to use a Dymo machine.  I managed to find one ( the old fashioned, embossed ribbon type) in four colours, so for the veggies I have a different colour for each family for the crop rotation.  It is a more expensive way, but I have not had any problems at all and reuse the labels - I usually put the vegetable on one side and the variety on the other so that if the variety changes I can just peel it off.

using the machine is very satisfying too   

[DD.]

The back of an old envelope, copied  to another piece of paper when you get home has never let me down.

If the first copy is lost, you can restore the other piece of paper as a back-up. The system commands are quite simple and are cost effective.

[JayG]

10/10












(Unless you mean my cucumbers, cordyline, spring onions............................. )

[RichardA]

pencil on plastic markers.
I also have an old notebook that I keep in the shed and another in the greenhouse which I use to write up my diary on wet days. (I am lucky as my happy acre is at home) Diary used is a hard back book so less chance of losing stuff and a reference for next year if too much of this and too little of that and why did those leeks end up in the way.
Thinking of changing onto a computer based system so can add photos etc but really like doing things in pencil and in feet and inches etc.
R

[michellela]

I think that using a pencil is a simple and effective solution, particularly as a pencil is something I can easily keep in my allotment bag.  Good suggestion.

The use of the Dymo is genius and I might not have to buy my own as I might be able to use the one at work.  Will have to ask about that tomorrow.  I did used to have one which I used for marking up the myriad plugs in my multi-adapters but only God knows where it went.

It has to be said that I'm not great with bits of paper so while that's a good suggestion it probably wouldn't work too well for me in the long term.  Although I could use the same principle and just save it on my computer along with the plan I've drawn up for what veg I'm hoping to grow next year.

A diary might be handy and if I wait till a couple of months into the year I can get a cut price one.  Cheapskate.

--I forgot to say thanks for the suggestions.

[arugula]

Yep, another vote here for pencil on the white plastic markers. Werks every time!

[DD.]

When I do use labels, (seed trays for example), I use markers cut out of empty margarine tubs. Just don't bother on the plot.

[Nige2Plots]

As I have said before, I print and laminate.

[Debz]

No point in labelling anything in my garden because the crows and magpies pull out white labels.  I mark the end with a stick and try and remember what I put where until they show themselves for confirmation.  I keep the seed packets for their names in the drawer at home.

[RichardA]

for a diary I just use a hard backed book with lines (we call them meeting books), some days you have nothing to write, some days a lot and some days perhaps you want to put a drawing in etc so just write the date and draw a line when you finish otherwise you have a lot of blank pages if you use a bought-in diary. You will get several years notes into one book in any case so easy to look back. Or use a lever arch file with blank sheets written on as the diary "pages" and invoices, drawings, photos, copies of articles, to-do lists, "what I vow never to do again" lists etc etc interleafing with them by date order.
R

[Spana]

I dont write on anything.  I just put a stick or a pile of stones at the end of a row to mark where it is.  As soon as the seeds are showing you can tell what they are.

[michellela]

I don't think I can get away with not labelling because I'm new and don't know what I like yet.  My plan is to grow a number varieties of different veg and then see which I prefer.

I have to confess that I'm obsessive enough to have a created a database to store most information in.  It includes a table each for seeds, suppliers, treatments and stuff I'm growing.  It's proving to be quite useful as each item has a section where I can add notes.  Also, I can give a rating to each thing I've grown so I can see which suppliers have a better average rating etc etc blah blah blah.  It's all very good but it's also good to have something you can keep in your pocket for those times when using your computer is impractical.

For those who haven't fallen asleep yet (and who care) it's all done using apache/mysql/php and yes, I'm sad!