I love the extra strength adhesive one Anna. I have had tags made from that that are at least 10 years old and still going strong.

I hope this isn't overload for pour Tim?

I changed back to extra strength after being disappointed with the regular adhesive.

I think Tim likes overload...

canadanna said:There are also black on clear and the option of extra strength adhesive ....more decisions!

WHAT!!!????!!!!

I just ordered two reels of the regular stuff.
I never heard of this extra-strong adhesive.

I seem to use more of the "angry" emoticons than anyone else. I must have an anger management issue.

I also decided I dislike the metal label holders, like the one in my previous picture. They seem a bit unsightly when scattered about the semp garden. I think I'll just use the standard, flat, white plastic push-in markers with my printed labels stuck on. I plan on pushing them almost all the way down in the soil so they don't stand out so much. It will require pulling them out on the occasions I need to read them, but they won't disturb my delicate sensibilities.
I wonder if the labels will last longer or shorter when placed subterranean. I also wonder if sunlight will disintegrate the plastic that remains above the soil line.

Tim not sure what plastic push in markers your using but I found these to be sturdy; Luster Leaf Rapiclip 8-Inch or you can order some from Chris. Her's are clear, Greg uses them and it gives a nice clean look.


This is one of his multi pictures.

The clear ones that Chris makes just disappear, and make for a very nice looking garden site.

Julia, those look nice and subtly unobtrusive. An interesting choice.
I thought I had the whole label situation figured out. It now seems not so.

These are the plastic markers I was referring to:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/221361...

I don't know which would deteriorate faster, these flimsy plastic stakes or the regular-strength label adhesive.

valleylynn said:The clear ones that Chris makes just disappear, and make for a very nice looking garden site.

Well... at least I could still use my new Brother label maker. The label tape I have is the wrong color, I would want black-on-clear. But the adhesive is the wrong kind so I would need to replace it anyway. I can't be using sub-strength adhesive.

Tim, the labels showing on your link will only last maybe 2 years. They get brittle and crumble.

If you want a new home for your metal labels I will buy them from you.

I use the white plastic labels to make an extra label buried under the plant (using #2 pencil). They don't disintegrate if they are not exposed to light. I have had above ground labels disappear so hidden labels can save the day.

valleylynn said:Tim, the labels showing on your link will only last maybe 2 years. They get brittle and crumble.

Yeah... I'm not sure what I was thinking there. I was perhaps figuring along the lines that Connie mentioned. Although I can always use them for temporary seedling markers.

valleylynn said:
If you want a new home for your metal labels I will buy them from you.

That is a distinct possibility... or perhaps a trade of some sort could be worked out. The ones I have are the Paw Paw miniatures (M).

with Lynn about those markers only lasting a few years. I use them in the greenhouse or in 4 inch containers for markers. Pencil is the best for a hand write label. I have tried paint marker, various markers and they all fade from the elements. A very good idea to place a label under the plant, can save the id of a cultivar.

Great point Julia. I have had the same experience. Pencil will last longer than the label.

Which ever way works for you Tim. I love those labels.

Pencils or grease pens do last a long time. I was going to do that with the metal labels but it's virtually impossible to erase them to reuse on a different plant. I figured with the labels I could scrape them off and stick on a new one. Or at worst just paste a new one over the old one.
I'm beginning to think my current method of maintaining a map on paper is quite practical. But I'm getting tired of dealing with the sheets of paper, always having to retrieve and sort through them instead of just bending down to read a label. And it's only going to get worse.
The label maker though is quite handy. I've been labelling my closet shelves so I know where all my clothes should go.

Tim, this is good that you are at least happy with your label maker.
I was afraid you were going to talk/think/type yourself out of everything...

Those regular strength labels work well enough. I've used both, only since 2013 labels are totally fine. I do push them nearly to the ground unless I want to read them and forget to put them back
You're gonna love your label maker Tim

gg5 said:Those regular strength labels work well enough. I've used both, only since 2013 labels are totally fine. I do push them nearly to the ground unless I want to read them and forget to put them back
You're gonna love your label maker Tim

I already love the label maker. It works better than I'd imagined. It's my other choices that seem misguided.
Greg, what color scheme are your labels and what do you attach them to?

Mine are the clear 4inch acrylic labels from Goldfinch4 (Chris)
Here is a clearer picture. I use black ink with clear tape unless I have bought a plant from Chris because she includes a label and hers are white ink on black tape. I think these are 1/2 inch so the tape fits perfectly

Thanks. I also have some labels from Chris. I have one in front of me right now as I ponder. I have several out in the semp garden and it seems to me that I never even notice them. The last time I saw one I thought "how did you get here?" I might order some blanks from Chris and give them a try. Why not, I've tried everything else.