I have labeled almost everything that I get from the swaps and purchases too......but I have this sweet little terrier that came into our lives last year. When fall hit, she saw all the full little white things in the garden and proceeded to pull them up and chew on them. I tried to get ahead of her by burying some but have given up. When the label is buried you can't take a quick peek to see it.

I understand. I have helpers- the short two legged variety- who have pulled up/lost/mixedup/removed labels for me. *sigh*

I am on this team so just gave up on the labels.

LOL At least it's good to know I'm not alone! If it's not the racoons, it's the kitties pulling them up and chewing them. Ya wouldn't think they tasted that good...

I labeled every single plant at the butterfly garden, bought nice holders and made computer labels with common and scientific names plus some info about the plant.
Well, now 1 year later the labels have all faded almost to nothing even though I sealed them.
I first thought to do it with PTouch tape but it was to costly, and pencil won't work on metal.
Does any one know of a good "permanent" label that won't cost an arm and a leg?

PTouch here. A roll of tape makes a LOT of tags. Redoing tags doesn't sound one bit fun to me.

Grease pencils work well, I've heard, teh extra hard graphite pencils found in the art section hold up better than regular pencils. Some people swear by paint pens.

Thank you Trish, I may have to break down and buy the machine, they are a little high now, but I have to do 95 of those labels so it will be quite a chore, but I know that PTouch labels last, we shall see.

I'm "try to label." Will use the markers that come with the plants, but they deteriorate and get buried or shifted when the neighborhood feral cats decide my beds are litter boxes. Got EON markers from Mamajack and Susan in the spring and I like those, but Sharpie fades fast in Texas summer sun. My brain has a thicker than ever Teflon coating now, so remembering what I got and where it is and such is extremely unlikely. Especially since I have gone daylily crazy this year and bought 80+ , the names for which I will NEVER remember by myself. So, permanent markers it is and look for a paint pen and a grease pen.

Mostly I'm in the no label category. Most of my plants were here, or were gifts, or had no pot labels, or only sketchy information (Daisy doesn't tell you much!) This spring I got the bright idea to cut up yogurt and cottage cheese cartons for labels. a quart size will make 20 or more when the sides are cut into strips about 1/2 to 3/4 inch wide. I cut off the ridges near the top of the carton and make one end pointed, then round the corners on the other end. One side is plain white, the other has colors. I wrote on them with a regular marking pen. If faced away from the sun, I can still read them. My later efforts were with an art pencil, we'll see how that works. Meanwhile, I have names and in some cases only color descriptions to help me decide what plant to put where when I move them around this fall.

#2 pencil lasts best.

I agree Linda.

I go with the ones that come with the plants. Hopefully by the time they fade or disappear I remember which is which. Really only try to keep track of my Heucheras , Echinaceas & Hellebors. Also try to keep a list of what I have.

I use a black paint pen on metal tags -- going on 2 years now and they still look new!

Is that different from a permanent marker?

Mary, yes. My understanding is paint adheres better and lasts longer than permanent markers.

Debra

I know for sure that Sharpies fade.

And wash out, for that matter...

Where would I buy a black paint pen? What do they cost?

Mary, do you have a Hobby Lobby near you? I can't remember if I've found them at Walmart, but here's what they look like from HL.

You can probably find them cheaper on line.

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/cra...

Thanks, Sharon. It's150 miles to the nearest one.

I'll see what I can find, Mary.
Don't be driving 300 miles for a paint pen.