I was wondering where you can purchase those plant labels that I've seen on the forum in pictures. They are white and look like they are plastic. A friend gave me some seeds and I wanted to label the pots so I wouldn't get them mixed up. Thanks in advance for any help.
Matt Bagley
Auburndale, FL
Zone: 9a

Matt
I have seen the commercially made labels at some Wal Mart stores, garden centers and Big Lots but I make my own out of old mini blind slats. I cut them the length I want them and just use a sharpee to write on them. If you have any old mini blinds that need replacing save the blinds and just cut the slats off as needed or buy a small cheap mini blind (under $4.00 at most discount stores) and you can get hundreds of plant labels from one mini blind. I have been using the same blind that I replaced two years ago for labeling everything in my garden. I just keep it in the back of a storage closet until I need more labels. Sometimes you can find them at yard sales too for next to nothing.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Penny,
Thanks for the advice. I would never have thought of the mini-blind idea. I'll also look at Walmart or Lowe's.
Thanks again.
Matt Bagley
Auburndale, FL
Zone: 9a

Matt
I believe when I saw the plant lables at WalMart they were in the $2.00 range for maybe 12 or 23 lables but that was last year so don't quote me on that. For me that was just too much money for too few labels as I would have had to buy about 4 or 5 paks. If you do end up using blinds, they cut like butter with ordinary scissors.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

Matt,

The cheapest are on Ebay. I think I paid $9 for 300 if you need YOUR mini blinds to keep the sun out!

Penny,

Your ecology knowledge amazes me. Very cool!




Pam NJ 6B

I ordered mine from International Greenhouse Company - with shipping a thousand cost about $25.00. The item is CN-1000BX-4. It comes in a fat roll and isn't as long as I would like, but not bad.

I use wooden popsicle sticks for labels. They won't last forever, but they're fine for a few months. If you get the multicolored ones, you can color code your plants, if that makes sense for what you're growing. I've found them at WalMart and KMart and you can get hundreds for pretty cheap.

Because I deal with so many greggii and microphylla cultivars and they look so much alike I use lasting tags. I don't feel like I can pass on a plant that is mislabeled or unlabeled. Currently I am dealing with one that came to me with the wrong label, it was a substitute in an order I made 2 years ago. I know it is wrong because I already had the plant and this one was different. Normally it wouldn't matter much, but the darned mislabeled plant is proving to be the hardiest and longest blooming in its class and one worth spreading around. So no wooden tags for me, although I understand your reasons.

Now that I think about it it did get passed on to Pam, we dug a piece of one out so she could share the pain.

The mini blind slats do last a long time. I am reusing some for the 3rd yr.

Penny
Niagara Falls, NY
USDA zone 6a/6b
Heat zone 4
Sunset zone 39

As you said, it really just depends on how long you need the tags to last. If just temporary, wood is cheap and works great. For longer lasting labels, I've also used surveyor's flagging and tied it around the stem. That's very cheap, too. I've also cut up plastic bottles of various sorts. Doesn't get much cheaper than that.

Thanks to all who responded. I've been looking around for an old mini blind but haven't come up with one yet. I guess I'll have to go to Wally World!!! Thanks again.
Matt Bagley
Auburndale, FL
Zone: 9a