microfarmer

I did the map thing for all my fruit trees, but haven't added my bananas to it yet. Seems like I can scrape something up in a computer program.

For out in the yard, I like the conduit/aluminium stakes with a sign on top...

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My new hero...

Patty in Wisc

As Sandy just said, I use old mini blinds cut to size - mostly for potted plants.
JoeReal posted that he cuts aluminum soda cans into strips. Then, he lays them onto something cushioned (cork -phonebook etc) & engraves with a ballpoint pen. Doesn't matter if the pen works or not, just to use the ball point. He punches a hole in one end to tie to plants. Inexpensive & easy.

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Got a lite?
Patty




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Patty in Wisc has sadly passed away 9/05/11. We will miss you Patty.

harveyc

I already have a nice aluminum label maker (much easier to read than my own writing!), but those strips are just 1/4" and I'd like something much larger for my nanners.

The USDA germplasm repository staff use labels that come out of some sort of printer that look sort of like from a regular laser printer, but the labels are clear and are stuck to white labels. They are very durable (I've had plants with some of their labels that are already about two years old). I'd like a much bigger font, however.

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john_ny

The polyester, or mylar, labels, that I mentioned in my previous posting, come in white, or clear. (maybe colors, too)

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John

harveyc

Thanks again, John. I did check out the vinyl letters and will check more into that later. That vendor linked in your first post didn't seem to have the mylar lablels but I'll do some searching for that later.

Since I have a pomegranate test plot with about 130 plants I may want to get something that can serve my needs for that as well.

Harvey

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D_&_T

I'm planning on getting some letter stamps from Habor Freight and stamp some metal strips with them. Be permeant if faded (discolored) just little cleaning and its back to NEW!! or clear coat them!!

Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

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john_ny

Harvey-
The link is for the vinyl letters only. If you're interested, I'll dig out the name of the outfit I get the polyester labels from. Let me know.

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John

Michael_Andrew

Tog Tan

This is the simplest way I can think of when I have to shift my plants around as they grow.
Basically, I use a piece of bamboo and split it a little at the top and then push in a piece of white plastic. Then a permanent marker is used for the ID and date of planting. You will be surprised how long this can last out in the field here with the strong sun and frequent rains. If it falls apart, I just replace it as bamboo is plentiful here for the taking.

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Tog Tan has sadly suddenly passed away 6/16/09. We will miss you Tog Tan.

alpha010

The method I would use (which can be a bit pricey) is to go to my local vocational school and seek out the Machine shop teacher. ( I graduated as a skilled machinist from my local trade school) Talk to him or her about whether the students learn basic CNC programming. Ask them if they would be interested in taking on a small project of machining the names into either aluminum or acrylic 3/8" thick plates.
It is a bit pricey for the materials, but you help out students at a school to learn and the plates look awesome especialy if the acrylic is colored or bi-colored (I made 2 plates like this both were bi-colored blue over white and one was freehand on a bridgeport 3/4 horse 20" mill and another on an okuma cnc vmc) or the aluminum is annodized prior to macining.

Like I said, it's a bit pricey, and will take a bit of time to do but, if you are going to have the same things planted each year, the plaques will last forever.

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LOL! My house doesnt exist on the member map!


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Chironex

Cool ideas! Thanks!

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Scot

Tomsamba

I use brass shim stock and those "U" shaped wire staples that are used to hold down weed block fabric. Hammer each letter of the name into the soft brass shim stock and Voila! help for an aging memory!

harveyc

never seen brass shim stock....where do you buy it?

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Tomsamba

There are quite a number of sources...but I realize if you are not in my field they may be unknown to you. Try < www.mcmaster.com>

BIGDAWG69

I use plastic cutlery knives - 100 for $1 at the dollar tree - then I write in sharpie on both sides and stick it in the dirt - on side gets sun fade - flip it around or just rewrite it - I guess I will try writing in pencil someday so it wont fade out

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Abnshrek

You don't need a plate if you do a digital diagram of your property and list all the plants in the key. the only plants you write on are in pots (the pots or use marker plates) since they are mobile.

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I'm a Nannerhead :^)

harveyc

Bucko, for the area I cover and number of plants I have, that isn't really practical. When I'm out in my garden and am wondering how close one of my many bananas might be to flowering, I like to look at a label and confirm the variety, etc. without having to go in and look at my computer. I have a digital map of a 4 acre chestnut orchard which has had thousands of grafts of around 30 varieties and it's a pain having to go in to confirm some of them, though I have them memorized pretty well after 10 years. My bananas change much more often, though.

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planetrj

I have a dual system, because first off, you obviously can't hang something on the trunk, because in a couple years (or sooner), you'll be chopping it off. So, I use Zinc "stick in the ground" type markers, then I have a Brother PT2700 which label writes on vinyl (I buy white/black letters). These tend to last for about 5 years. By then, I've needed to move the ground label anyway (because of the mat growth). So, if you're putting them in pots (I'd imagine being in NY), then you should be fine. My secondary backup (in case the metal tag gets pulled out), I stick a Bamboo stake into the middle of the mat (if using a pot, the edge of the soil line would be equivalent), and write on it with a china marker. Those don't fade like Sharpies do, and it should last as long, so you have a secondary backup to know what's what.
The best part of my Brother label writer is that it works on USB, and I print directly from my Excel worksheet, so I always have my inventory of my plants. This is a great fail-safe (but not fail-proof) way of keeping track very efficiently and effectively. I always know what I have and what I don't.

Good luck!

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you will never have enough bananas ^_^

harveyc

Hey, RJ, thanks. But this is my thread and I'm not moving to NY! :P

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planetrj

OH! Sorry.. (Blonde Moment)

I just realized, and you're up by Antioch.. so you should be fine. hehe

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you will never have enough bananas ^_^