by Kathy Bildner
Grant Committee Chairperson
I will start by asking you all, what do you think about this? To label or not to label.
For most of my wild flower gardening life I did not label anything in the yard.
In the Fall I labeled flower pots that I planted seeds in, so I could know what was coming up in the Spring. I made these signs out of old window blinds.
Somewhere along the years I started putting signs in the yard to remind me where I had planted something. Many ephemeral things disappear for part of the growing season. More than once I accidentally dug something up.
Then I started labeling a few things because I needed neighbors to know I was planting things that had names, not just random weeds.
I was surprised how many folks walking down the sidewalk stopped to look at the names of things they liked. I saw people using their phones to photo the name of a sign. I had people stop to ask me questions.
In general, I think the signs are important to our mission of educating others.
I put signs on things that are blooming. On some things I take the sign down when they are done blooming. This avoids some confusion.
There are many types of signs to be used.
The ones that come with the plant when bought work for a while. Then there are the home-made or store-bought signs. I saw old slate roof tiles used as signs in someone’s yard.
One of the advantages of us Wild Ones going to others yards is to see how others manage their yards.
Last year I bought a Brother label maker. I saw these labels in Kevin’s and Penny’s yards. (Lower right) I continue to like it.
Last month I ordered some signs from Wild Ones of Twin cities. These have a photo and the common and scientific names. They cost $3 a piece plus shipping.
(Lower left) I like these too. I especially like the photo, so those who are not familiar with our wild flowers will know this plant will eventually have a flower or they can see the flower and place it with the sign.
Does anyone else have sign ideas, thoughts for or against using signs? Please post your ideas in the comments so that others can read too
What kind of sign are you using?
Our large group must have ideas and opinions!
If you are interested in the Twin Cities signs, here is some information.
They do have plants not native to Missouri, so watch the scientific names. I counted 6 plants on the list we do not have here.
The Twin Cities chapter web site:
http://www.wildonestwincities.org/p/w.html
Marilyn Jones is the person who will place your order. $3 per sign plus postage. MarilynDJones@gmail.com
If you are interested in Brother label makers
You need the machine, the tape to type on and the metal posts.
Thanks so much for this information. Very good.
I do plan to label both for myself and for education of folks who walk by.
I do love the labels with photo especially for the passersby.
I like to label for the first year so that I get used to what the plant looks like in all stages. For this I use the label from the pot the plant comes in. Unfortunately, I live in an area of high squirrel activity. Apparently one of their favorite games is to move my labels. I have found my labels all over the place.
None of my gardens are close enough to the sidewalk – yet – But I love the idea of tagging those plants. Thanks!
I use a label maker and label all my perennials.
Thanks for all of the ideas. I have used the ones that come with the plant. Also I have used a Sharpie marker on plastic plant labels but they do not last.
I like to label for my own information as well as marking where something was or will be.
I like labeling for the two reasons highlighted in this post,
1. so I don’t end up digging them up accidentally when they go dormant and 2. neighbors have been asking me for a while now to put labels!
I thought the Wild Ones Twin cities label was excellent, but they have the city name Minnesota printed on them at the bottom. It would be nice to know if they would leave that out for out of town orders.
I find the sharpie and even permanent ink does not last. Pencil seems to stay for a longer time.
When I still had my house and planted natives, I used the metal markers. Sharpies work for a year but do not last. I found a special pencil, wax based that lasted. Don’t remember where I found it tho. Sorry. Really miss my garden! Stay strong and keep planting natives. They work!
I’m too lazy to label unless I put out seed and want to remind myself where to look for the seedlings. But my garden club has come up with an innovative choice for our butterfly garden in subdivision common ground — labels created with a 3-D printer. We are hoping they will be more durable than most (the plant name is raised in the plastic resin) and that bored teenagers will find something else to mess with!
Thanks Kathy! Yes, Label, label, label. I have trouble keeping them where they should be and being able to read them. You have provided some helpful information!