| Archive for Downsizer For an ethical approach to consumption |
| quixoticgeek |
Non plastic plant labelsI am trying to reduce the amount of plastic I use in the garden, especially for things like plant labels. I have tried using chip forks, but they rot down very quickly, typically in less than a season.Can anyone recommend an affordable non plastic alternative for plant labels? Thanks J |
| Mistress Rose |
If you can find someone who cuts oak or chestnut you may be able to get some small bits that will do well for labels and should last for ages. Even odd bits of other woods should last a few years if you take them out and dry them when you have finished with them.
I can understand why you want to reduce the amount of plastic used, but could you use bits cut from things like yoghurt pots or other things that aren't usually recyclable so you are using things that would otherwise go into land fill? |
| Shan |
I write on my plastic labels with pencil and re-use them year after year after year. |
| Mistress Rose |
I do too, but they do break down eventually. |
| oldish chris |
Any old stick will do. When they are beyond use, chuck them to the back of the rhubarb patch where they will feed little creatures.
Wilkinsons Stores sell them, made from bamboo or birch. |
| wellington womble |
I have seen slate labels - if you have a tile cutter you could cut bits from slate tile seconds. And wooden ones from cut sticks - you could use anything for them. I'll find a pic.
http://www.homeroad.net/2011/03/seed-stakes.html?m=1 |
| sueshells |
Wooden lolly sticks used for crafts - like these on ebay:
290955796989 (item number). Lots more quantities and there are larger ones too - just put "wooden lolly sticks" into a search in Children's Crafts section. |
| Nick |
http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?t=10356&highlight=copper+labels
http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?t=55444&highlight=copper+Labels http://forum.downsizer.net/viewtopic.php?t=16915&highlight=copper+labels Comes up so often, might be worth stickying or an article? |
| Cathryn |
I have cut up plastic milk bottles and written in indelible pen on them. Sort of worked okay.
Do you want more tips for your article Nick? |
| Nick |
My vegetables come from shops. I may not be the global expert. |
| LynneA |
For tried and tested varieties, I re-use the previous year's labels. May still be plastic, but it gets some extra mileage from them.
The plant and variety goes on the front, the date on the back, then crossed out when used the following year. |
| Mistress Rose |
You can often scrub the writing off plastic labels. |
| wellington womble |
If you do them in permanent marker, they last years (especially if you are too disorganised to bother with dates). Also, permanent marker comes off with alcohol.
I wonder if you can get recycled ones? I'm going to use sticks next year, though as I like the idea of that. I used ceramic tile offcuts once, but they all flaked (they were glazed, and didn't stand the frost. I bet slate would be better) |
| gregotyn |
I make them out or Brie cheese boxes, it is a thin wooden base and ideal to cut-and a good excuse to have another piece of brie when I am short of labels. |
| Mistress Rose |
Some of your kindling might do well to Gregotyn. 
|
| john of wessex |
Sister in Law is a Doctor so knows about these things............
Tounge Depressors - the local pharmacy can order them. Only last a season but as my brother says no damage to anything if you hit them with a strimmer |