Waterproof marker pens that actually work in the garden

LessImpecunious

Hello all - am having to make my annual Xmas wishlist, and one item that I'd like to recommend to the elves is a waterproof marker pen that works in real garden situations - i.e., will write on something that may be a little damp and muddy, such as plant labels or plastic sacks that I'm storing a compost mix or similar in. All the ones I've tried have failed in similar circumstances!

kippers

I gave up finding one of these years ago so i will be interested if someone comes up with one.  I use a piece of paper written on with pencil and then i use sellotape to stick it on my plant lables…its the only thing ive found to work long term

Emmia

I use pencil on my plant labels, seems to last longer without fading.

YoungBlueEyes

I gave up looking for a pen that would actually reliably work, and started doing it the other way round. Just get a normal marker pen and write on something that’ll hold the ink - I’ve been using window packers but big tile spacers are good too ime. 

ETA these https://www.screwfix.com/c/screws-nails-fixings/packers/cat7290011?cm_sp=managedredirect-_-screwsfixings-_-packers

subjecttocontract

I use a felt permanent market pen. It has to be applied to a dry surface but then it dries quickly and remains permanent & waterproof.

LessImpecunious

Emmia said:

I use pencil on my plant labels, seems to last longer without fading.

Agree - I actually use pencil on plant labels - rubs of easily (but requiring effort, so only when intended) when I need to reuse...it's the plastic sacks that are the main problem...

Dustyevsky

I am still digging up labels written by the previous owner and reading them. He wrote in pencil....at least 15 years ago.

Sadly, it's always vegetables. He reserved his posh marker pen for the shrubs and perennials, and those labels are blank!

LessImpecunious

subjecttocontract said:

I use a felt permanent market pen. It has to be applied to a dry surface but then it dries quickly and remains permanent & waterproof.

It's the "apply to a dry surface" bit that's the problem - there always seems to be enough damp about in the potting shed to stop the pens working...

LessImpecunious

Dustyevsky said:

I am still digging up labels written by the previous owner and reading them. He wrote in pencil....at least 15 years ago.

Sadly, it's always vegetables. He reserved his posh marker pen for the shrubs and perennials, and those labels are blank!

Am beginning to think it's a forlorn hope...(TBH that's what I thought already, just hopeful that someone would have discovered a truly magic magic marker...) Guess I should try pencil on the plastic sacks (lightbulb emoji!)

Farway

LessImpecunious said:

subjecttocontract said:

I use a felt permanent market pen. It has to be applied to a dry surface but then it dries quickly and remains permanent & waterproof.

It's the "apply to a dry surface" bit that's the problem - there always seems to be enough damp about in the potting shed to stop the pens working...

How about indelible pencils? 

You know the sort, lick the tip & get a purple tongue, Stows behind your ear for handy use.

Emmia

LessImpecunious said:

subjecttocontract said:

I use a felt permanent market pen. It has to be applied to a dry surface but then it dries quickly and remains permanent & waterproof.

It's the "apply to a dry surface" bit that's the problem - there always seems to be enough damp about in the potting shed to stop the pens working...

I keep my(wooden) labels in the house, avoiding dampness.