labelling - sad bad case

[campanula]

started already! messing up the labels! yes, this year was going to be so different - no invisible writing (from permanent markers - ha!), no tattered bits of paper, clinging to the side of seedbox with wet sellotape,no cheap ideas - lolly sticks, barbecue skewers with cute flags glued on, tippex which has totally smeared on pots - yes, i have tried them all but this year, i was going to make a supreme effort at total organisation.
However, not even two weeks into seed season and they are bu**ered already. The peppers have become interchangeable with tomatoes, why did i have to try 6 types of lettuce (but at least they are same vegetable) and as for the numerous flowers.......hope i will recognise leaves or garden will be usual mish mash. still, all those little green lives are so thrilling.

[Muddy_Boots]

Welcome to the magical mystery tour which are our gardening efforts    Just think how wonderful it will be when you recognise something you'd forgotten.  On of the great joys!

And, the greatest gift of all, you can eat it!  

[Mrs Ava]

I sympathise totally Campanula.  My poorest effort was cut up bits of yoghurt pots - far to shiny so the writing either smeared, or just rubbed clean away.  I start with good intentions, and when it is only one label per tray it isn't so bad, it is when you pot things on, to have to write 50 labels, all the same....there must be a better way!  I have tried grouping them and hoping, and this is fine, unless they are perennials or shrubs, which all loose there leaves...................I could go on.  :-/

[tim]

We all 'preach' - but (mostly) we always fail. And tell me about a 'permanent ink'? = Tim

[Hugh_Jones]

My own system rarely lets me down. I use 9 contrasting colours of Humbrol model paints. A dab of the brush on each pot or tray lasts for years, and using two different blobs on each pot gives 72 different code permutations. Simply use one colour code for each variety and keep a chart - with copy filed on the computer for safety.

[Debs]

I'm a straight forward girl myself!

I use labels and a pencil...

debs

[Hugh_Jones]

You obviously haven`t got a garden full of squirrels, magpies, jackdaws and all the other lovely creatures that can`t resist shiny white labels.

[The gardener]

Snap! Debs!

and to Hugh, have been there,and know what you mean I virtually bury my labels.

I have taken to putting my planting layout on a spread sheet and leave a copy hung up in the greenhouse or in the car, meaning I use very few labels.

It also helps with rotation, I know what I had where the previous season.

[Garden Manager]

I try to minimise the labels i have to use, yet still try to keep organised.

Its Ok when I have enough to fill whole trays then one label per tray is enough. It is when i have  few odd plants over, not enough to fill a tray, but too many to all go in one, then it has to be the old front to back left to right system as used by nurserymen. Which works fine intill you turn the tray around to give the plants even light! then things can get a little confusing! lol

there is hope on the horizon though.  The weekly magazine Amateur gardening has free seeds with it most weeks of the year. the best bit is they provide smart little labels with the seeds with the variety and a little picture of what the plant looks like. So the job is done for those seeds at least.  All I have to do is add the date of sowing on the back  The labels seem to wear well too, have had some outdoor all winter and they have not faded or cracked (an many labels do).

[Muddy_Boots]

Sounds as if there is a case for a competition for the most efficient and permanent labelling system here  

[Tenuse]

Yes Richard I like the seeds that come with a ready printed label, I just wish they came with 250 instead of just one!!

Hugh when I first read your idea I laughed but thinking about it it seems eminently sensible and I might give it a go!

Ten x