Mika you are right! Those black metal markers work out quite expensive but I started off using them 5 years ago for my roses and don't want to change. I like the black because they are not so obvious. This year, with the new iris and daylilies, a total of EUR80.- for labels also got me thinking. So I went for the cheaper white plastic markers which I have used on some of my seedlings. They didn't look half bad with the white P-touch tape. Last month however, while I was cleaning up around my seedlings, I accidently knocked one with my trowel and it shattered into three pieces! Obviously 2 years of exposure to the elements was too much. My DH was sympathetic to my dilemma and started experimenting ....
Not the best pic!
At the top is a marker DH made out of some copper pieces he had lying around. Would be perfect but on checking the prices for copper sheeting and taking into account the time to make it - TOO EXPENSIVE!
The bottom one is the plastic marker which has proven impractical for long-term use.
The middle is aluminium which DH came up with. Cut from a 1m piece. It is 1.5cm wide and 12.5cm long and won't rust and very quick to make. Works out to CHF0.41 per marker! The clear P-touch tape with black print looks perfect on it!
So that's how I am going to label all my new iris and daylilies!
