Cheap way to make plant labels?

rosie383

We have got an allotment this year and I really need to make some plant labels. My friend suggested cutting strips of marg tubs to use. What would I use to write on them that would weather ok, or can I use anything else?
Gone are the days when you would find ice lolly sticks everywhere. We used to collect hundreds of them as kids and made loads of things out of them.
One thing I did use last year were a few wooden chopsticks that had been lurking in my kitchen for years. wrote on them in pencil and they were grand. Need lots more for this year.

Pete*G_4

permanent marker should be fine.

rosie383

Ok. I will see if I have any different coloured plastic to cut up. I could do yellow for spuds, red for tomatoes etc, so I could see at a glance what was what. just have to go off now and get a permanent marker.

paybacktime2008

Plastic milk bottles are good. Chop the bottom off for a plant pot then cut the top into strips for labels. Biro works on them.

rosie383

That's even better as I always just put those in the recycling bin, whereas I keep my empty tubs for storage, freezer etc. And it means I won't have to go and buy a permanent marker.

peachespeaches

My dad uses plastic milk bottles cut into strips and writes on them with a permanent marker. Wilko used to sell a pen for writing on plant labels too, and their plant labels are pretty cheap if you havent got enough plastic to cut up!

Davesnave

This is fine for veg, so long as people don't run away with the idea that permanent marker is permanent! There may be a few brands that last a very long time, but for truly permanent labelling of plants like fruit trees, perennials etc, pencil lasts longest.

paybacktime2008

another use for milk bottles...off topic but cute

http://www.silkysteps.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1266

jammy_dodger

how about splitting a small branch ?I cut8 inch lengths of fallen wood , split in half then split again whittling into a pointy end just like expensive wooden plant labels you buy but these are free and only take an afternooon to make a whole bag full . i write on them with permanenet marker .nice and rustic

gillian62

McDonalds & KFC and probably others, have little wooden drink stirrers that are great to use as plant pot labels.

System

I clean the print off the ones that come with bought trays of plants using kitchen cleaning powder. (Bar Keepers Friend on my case) Cut them up if they are huge. You only need a tiny scrap for seed trays.
Also not everything needs labelling - it knows what it is, sowings in the ground only need a marker - like a stick - till they come through.
It's only if you were trying out varieties you might want to label them for the whole season.
In my borders I use a little circle of stones to indicate "there is a lily bulb under here" and when cutting down plants the disappear completely I use three short sections of the stalk as a marker much more discreet than plastic labels.