marking location of bulbs

We have lots of flowers from bulbs in the yard that were planted ages ago by previous owners. Next November I want to dig up some of the bulbs and either give them away or sell them. There are several kinds of bulbs/flowers all mixed together in the yard. Does anyone have suggestions on how to mark each variety of flower while they are blooming (probably soon) that will last in the yard until this fall?

I thought about putting a popsicle stick on which I have written, say, "narcissus", in the ground right in the middle of a bunch of narcissus blooms. But the area will need to be mowed this summer, and the popsicle sticks will be in the way.

Take photos both close-up and from a distance. Try and give yourself distance markers so the narcissus might be "10' from the edge of the walk" and then take a picture of the walk so you'll know where you measured from or plant some muscari in with the narcissus because they will send up green leaves in autumn though the mowing might cut them back.

I gave one method in this thread.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/1082157/

If I had access to a metal detector I'd put nails in the ground where I wanted to dig bulbs. I'd either paint the heads different colors in some kind of color code or use different size and kind of nails to identify colors and kinds. Flat to the ground the lawn mower will miss them but a metal detector would find them.

What about those flat markers that golfers use?

Doug, I tried to read your posting in the thread you gave, but I am not a paying member, so could not pull it up. Can you copy and paste in this thread? Thanks!

If you don't want to leave a stake in the ground after the foliage dies down because it interferes with mowing, then this what I would do. Put a stake or something into the ground near the bulbs and then take a picture. This way you'll know where the bulbs are relative to the stake. To relocate the stake in the fall run, a string from each corner of the house and measure each leg. This will allow you to relocate the stake. You could also just save each string. See the picture I attached.

Best way I know to get exact labeling is, at flowering time use white plastic plant labels, write with a marker pen that you use for freezer, as the flowers fade, carefully dig up each clump and put each separate type of bulb into a large free draining container with soil/compost, this is to allow the foliage to die down naturally as this foliage feeds the bulbs for thew next year, after the foliage has died down, you can remove it, also you can divide the bulbs into packs of 6 or 12 to sell or give away, make sure you don't store the bulbs in plastic bags, they will rot, I know it sounds crazy but I find the best way to store bulbs after lifting them and removing the dead foliage is to cut up ladies tights, cu the legs into tubs and tie a knot, pop in the bulbs and tie the other end, hang these up either on a coat hanger or several nails, the hosiery allows air to circulate they cost nothing and well recycling is the new gold rush eh. remember to tie your label as you fill your bags of bulbs, name like Tulip, pink, month of flowering and hight, this will allow you to answer any questions people may have who want to buy the bulbs, it is important you keep the bulbs dry and cool, so a garden hut would be good or garage, well ventilated. good luck. WeeNel.