Plant/Flower & Shrub Tags

um...... I try not to be, but I don't have a good history!! This is my first garden and I very nearly killed everything by not watering enough.... then watering too much!! Think I am sort of on track now though (and I do come on here and ask loads of questions!!)

Historically, I leave plants to almost die - then remember and panic and overwater (in my pots in previous rented places!)

 

I used to use tape the plastic tags to lolly-sticks with duck tape and leave them out. Most of my plants are flowering perrenials, so when they died back I'd forget what was where, being as forgetfull as I am :confused: I found they got a bit battered & washed-out. Now I still keep the tags, but just in a tub. I totally agree with pete though, I'd rather use a book (or my Mum) as a reference for information as they can be so vague.

 

I substitute them with my own labels which are a bit more discreet,as Pete and Beki says there's not much information on them anyway.

 

I use to label all my plants in the ground but have since got my act together and now keep a detailed graphic data base for the plants where and what they are which worked out ok for me but not for my beloved Bob, who has started to take a huge interest in gardening since getting me (himself) a greenhouse.

Now it's a case of me doing him a little detailed book that tells him which plants like a good old water and where they are etc. Not too much hard work for me as I'm really pleased Bob's getting into this gardening hobby and at least watering slows the guy down now some what. Hel.xxx.

 

I keep a record of the plants that I have bought, with their full name etc. If you have the full name you can always Google information about the plant at a later date. For some plants I put the name on my own label and put it by the plant if its new or I if want to mark the position overwinter. I try and have a system - but it doesn't always work. White labels for general plants, Yellow for Salvias, Brown for plants that aren't hardy (and need lifting overwinter) and green for annuals.

 

i have just started to make a reference on my computer, drawn a plan of tthe garden and what is where then with the help of all you guys, im naming things and with a little refference on how to look after them also taken a small picture of each and put it with the desciption.... just my little input!!

 

im just using publisher and creating a book like effect with the plan of the garden at the front, i myself have only just started this thou hopefully take shape soon....

 

With the exception of the small labels on roses I always chuck them along with the pots.

I can Id most plants and the folk I work for are either very keen enthusiasts with equal or slightly less plant knoledge than me or no intrest at all therfore the labels are no benefit.

 

I have created a spreadsheet on Excel too, with hyperlinks to photographs. My Mum says I'm "anal" lol, but I love it. It's something to do when it's too dark to go out gardening! It mostly consists of names & colours, then like PeterS said I can look up any further info as when using other reference material...Google, books, GC etc. I add to it all the time, this year I created a worksheet documenting seeds sown and their germination rate.