garden marker ideas?

I've been making little concrete markers -- pour the concrete you get for stepping stones at craft stores into little containers (I use the containers from Her Royal Majesty Brigid the Magnificents' dog food) and either stamping the name into it or writing it with a toothpick. But they get buried kind of easily. And I will NOT pay $1 each for the brass ones. (Sorry -- I do love my garden but for what I'd pay for those I could order lots and lots more plants.) Anyone do anything that looks decent but is still visible a month later? I've tried the plastic ones (permanent markers, HA!) and the birch ones (very nice, but they snap in two way too easily).

How about checking at the craft store. I know that there are paint pens that work on clay pots.and I think.maybe concrete.
The metal markers come with pencils/pens that don't particularly work well for me..I have some really pretty Clean faced markers this season...argh. I cannot use the cut up window blind ones in the back yard, due to short dogs--would be a hazard for them. I thought about using stones etc. with a large nail glued to the back and stuck into the ground-but the nails would have to be really deep so not knocked out of the ground. I have kind of given up on that idea-although might work well where animals/kids don't roam.
I don't like spending $$ on markers either.

Good thoughts. Yeah, it drives me crazy -- if the little plastic or birch ones actually could ride the storm, so to speak, I'd be fine with them. But I want to not have to worry about forgetting what a new plant is, or which rose is tamora and which is sharifa asma. Maybe I'll go to Hobby Lobby and just roam the aisles until I get inspired.

I wonder if burning the name along bamboo would work. Of course, then you'd have lengths of bamboo sticking up all over the garden. I'll keep brainstorming.

Hmmm... maybe this is the way I'll make my fortune... better not quit my day job just yet...

I have experimented with both the metal and wood markers. Names always wore off. Recently someone recommended using a laundry marker. After almost 3 months, it hasn't even faded. Will let you know if they last through the winter.

I thought a sharpie WAS a laundry marker? That's what I meant by permanent marker. Should have made myself clear. Is that what you're using?

Laundry markers are definitely better than permanent markers - I have been using one for a couple years now (on plastic spoons - mainly for my "plant sale"or my sharing, not in the beds). I haven't had even one fade as yet. I guess because they are specifically for going into water, they are best.

Luandry markers are not the same as Sharpies. I thought so to at first. The ones I got are made by Sharpie though. I found them in the grocery store. I think they were with the office/school supplies.

Well, I'm glad to know that. I do use the white plastic markers for seeding things.

And I just got back from Hobby Lobby. I got some of those small (about 1/4 inch) white beads with black letters on them -- like they used to use to ID us babies way back in the day. I'll make the little concrete blocks and just press those into the wet concrete. It will take quite a few as I have three zephirine drouhin roses. If they come out looking decent and actually working, I'll post a picture.

I can't wait to see those!!!!! What a great idea.

Thanks! Usually I can come up with something. I've always said there's a solution to every problem. Now, whether what I come up with works or not is a different matter!!!

brigidlily, definately post pictures.

There is an old home near where I live, no one has lived there for over 20 years, but they were serious gardeners. There are still lots of metal markers around the yard, and thay are still legable after more than twenty years! I would love to know where those markers came from and what they used to write on them.

I use popsicle sticks in the greenhouse. I write with ink (not ball point) then spray the sticks with clear laquer. You have to use a water based ink as the laquer will cause ball point to run.

X

I've used popsicle sticks for sprouting seeds but can't make them last much longer than that.

I made 7 of the beaded markers and when I can figure out how to get the camera ready I'll take pics. I'm not overly impressed with them, but they'll do the job.

I'm still eager to see them and suspect they're better than you think!

Did you see this ad in the classifieds?

Well, it's not there anymore. But:http://davesgarden.com/mail/pmailpic.php?pid=642178
links to part of our dmail conversation about how much and how big and so on.

There's even more info here:http://davesgarden.com/mail/pm/150704/
Definitely a DG small business idea.

xxx, Carrie

I use the large plastic forks, the kind you would use for serving at a picnic. I write on them with a china marker (sometimes known as a grease pencil) and that holds up for a couple of years. I usually have the marker in my pants and renew the writing when necessary. They don't look as good as some of the other kinds, though.

bridgidlily, I like your idea, those can be painted and decorated how you choose to and adds a little spice to your flower bed to boot... I will have to check into it. I was planning on putting small stepping stones in to each garden bed I am doing in the sping, My SIL has molds for them and your idea reminded me about her having those. I will have to call her up and see if I can use them :o) That would be a great winter project for me :o) Thanks for the idea.

Connie

I'm still meaning to take a picture of these. I will eventually. They're not bad, just a little small. Then again, you don't want an entire stepping stone unless you have a lot of something.

Maybe I'll make a great big one that says "weeds." ;p

LOL - bet you could sell a ton of them!!!!

finally took pictures! And made some more last night. Thought I'd be real clever with color and mixed the mix with leftover coffee instead of water. Never thought about how the acid in the coffee would neutralize the alkali in the cement. Live and learn. The pics aren't very good, but that's the photographer's fault!

Hi, brigidlily, and everybody. been lurking because I'm always looking for marker ideas. these cement ones look great to me.

Absolutely great!!! Very, very clever.

I'll certainly need to watch out -- these could get buried easily! Maybe I should lean them on the bush rather than set them on the ground.

could you find a way to put them on a metal stake? like a lollipop? insert a heavy zinc or aluminum stick thru a hole in the can while it's still wet?

I'll have to give that one some thought. It's probably the best idea, to have them upright without winding up costing more than the brass ones I can't afford!