I find that the writing of black Sharpie pens that are exposed to the sun fades badly. But the knives that I write on and bury are completely legible for years. And they dry almost instantly. We use the white knives and bury them completely.

Carl - I haven't had as good results as you with the sharpie markers. I've tried so many different writing mediums. The paint is the only thing that I have found that seems to last for over 2 years. I had written with a sharpie on some of the labels made with blinds and buried them in the roots of the plants when I planted them out in my garden bed. I had to dig them all up the following year and I could barely read most of the labels they had faded so badly. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me.

I have had problems with the mini blinds and Sharpies. But not the knives. I think the mini blinds get a layer of gunk or oxidized vinyl on them that comes off and takes the Sharpie with it. I think that's why pencil works better on the mini blinds. The pencil wears through the layer. And the knives are new and completely clean and the Sharpie sticks really well. But it still sun fades or weathers.

Even using a number 2 pencil on blinds has not worked for me, as it also fades quickly in the ground. Maybe I am not using the right pencil. I have heard that a grease pencil will work well. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/...

Go with what works for you. You probably live in a harsher climate than I do. Most everyone does.