I buy from a seller nrb44 (I think that is his userid) on both the LA and Ebay. They are 11.5 metal markers and then I use the P-Touch to make my labels using the tape that is for outdoor use.

I have some white markers I got from another seller on the LA for my seedling beds and use a sharpie pen (waterproof) but I noticed today the writing is starting to fade,again, so I guess I better redo them. I also have a garden map I keep just in case some critter decides to pull a marker up.
If I had a source for used blinds I'd use them too.

Julia

I definitely keep a garden map since markers can disappear and I already have enough NOIDS! It is constantly being updated when new ones get added or moves are made, but well worth the trouble.

My kids got me a Brother labeler and I love it. But since I just got it, I don't know how it will weather after a few years.

Got my original markers from everlastlabel.com and buy item F (tall display labels) and the pencil that I ordered separately did okay, but I was having to relabel everything afer two seasons.

It would be nice to know what those markers are that the nurseries use, wouldn't it?

Vickie

The nurseries might be using china markers (also called wax pencils or grease pencils). The "lead" of these pencils is sort of waxy, so it will be water resistant. They are available in black, white, and other colors as well. China markers can be cleaned off of many items, but unless something rubs it, it mostly stays put until you want it to come off, so I would guess it would be good for writing on those metal tags.

I think a garden map is a MUST, because any sort of tag you use in the garden has the chance of getting lost. That is what I used to do. For a quick, cheap, altho not terribly long lasting tag, I used to use popsicle sticks (the ones you get at craft stores) and write on them with a Sharpie. My garden was small enough that usually by the time that had gotten lost or too hard to read, I'd memorized what things were, and I always had the garden map to fall back on just in case.
Casey

My markers are engraved and entirely too expensive, and I still keep a map. If I would just always update it, I would have very few NOIDs. Here is part of one, complete with leaf streak.
kay

Guess I should post it:

It has been in the garden two years, but the ones that have been there three years are the same.
kay

I buy cheap vinyl blinds at BIG LOTS. The 36" seem to be the best value. Then I cut them into 7+ inch lengths. I use a black china marker to write names on topside. It is nice and black and stays for about 5 years. I use a soft lead artist pencil to write name on bottom. It will last as long as the marker, just not as visible. Some bury a small plastic tag below ground level in front of clump. I don't but I think it's a good idea. Maps are good too, just lots of up-keep.
Ed

ok this came from Bob at Blueridge daylilys,
Hello, Holly
The labels come for horticulturalprinters.com They only drawback is the labels are only available in rolls of 1,000...
We use a permanent garden marker available from EON Industries. You can find them on line. Most people use "Sharpies" and they don't last very long at all. I have some labels that are 10 years old and I can still read them. LOL Happy Gardening, Bob

Bob from Blueridge Gardens wrote this also
In the garden, we use zinc plated rose markers with TZ tape (black on white) and our P-touch machine. Nothing works better... Bob

Last year I used pepsi cans cut into strips , well these held up through the winter and this spring i was cleaning around the plants and cut myself deep from this stupid idea, not worth trying!

i got to looking ebay had p touch tape cheap,
ever last label co. had zinc rose markers 100 40.00

Here is a link that might be useful: Zinc Labels

Are you sure Wal-Mart has TZ tape on sale?

You have to have TZ tape for the Brother p-touch labeler and not just any p-touch tape. Otherwise, the labels won't last.

mamallamas, you can get rolls of aluminum flashing at Lowe's or Home Dept, and with heavy-duty scissors you can cut out metal tags. Just be sure you round the corners of square or rectangular tags so you don't cut yourself.

Nancy

I gave up on labeling. I bought tons of labels and they never survived the winter well. They got crushed and some mangled and others disappeared all together. I paid a lot too. I think if I were to label them again I would invest in the engraved ones that last forever - the pic you see above. They are so pricey though. For now, I'm not labeling and keep a map. About half my labels are still functioning for now.

I used a Sharpie on white plastic stakes I had purchased and every single name faded off so I have a big pile of NOIDs in my pot ghetto. I had potted up several mail order purchases of bulbs and daylilies and now I get to wait for them to bloom to know who they are....I had no idea the Sharpie would fade away in three months.

I bought a permanent marker from a local horticultural supply house....not cheap but it doesn't fade away.

Well, in the 3 garden patches I have, iI use pvc pipe cut in 1 ft pieces with a T pipe for the label. the t's come in 10 pieces per bag and the pipe is 10 ft long I think. I use the touch label method but for temp label, i use a paint marker from the craft dept at walmart. That will last a couple of years. For the beds and garden, I use engraved markers...Ellie