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Post Date:
16th Feb 2023
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Post Summary:
Are you frustrated by having your best harvest ever but didn't keep notes of sowing dates or even the variety names? GrowMad's David shows you some fail-proof labelling and record-keeping methods to keep you from losing the plot...
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The GrowMad Guide to Labelling and Record Keeping
| Introduction
Fantastic looking crop, bumper harvest, outstanding flavour!
Want to replicate all of this for next year but forgot to label and keep accurate records?
How many times have we had the best of crops only to find we have failed to label and record correctly? We’ve all been there, I certainly have on more than one occasion and I’m sure I’m not the only one.
The sowing and planting season is an incredibly busy time of year, especially if you have to juggle growing your own with the day job and home life.
Fill pots, fill seed trays, sow seeds, water, move to cold frame, plant out, sow more seeds…the list is endless but what about labelling and record-keeping?
Did you forget to label them, be honest...you have no idea which is which, have you David?
| Every Season is the Same...
Every season is the same:
I know what that is
I will remember that one over there is a different variety
Don’t worry, I will recognise it by the foliage
I’ll do it tomorrow
But:
Actually, I don’t remember which one is which
Don’t recognise which is which
I’m sure, almost certain that is…
And it gets worse…
At harvest time if only I could remember which variety that was
Which seed supplier did I buy that one from?
Is that cabbage summer, winter or spring?
Is that a courgette or cucumber plant?
Is that potato an early or main crop variety?
The list of excuses and ‘if only’ goes on and on. The answer to all of the above is to label everything and keep records at every stage.
You won’t forget to water it, so don’t forget to label it!
Labels come in many forms, shapes, sizes and materials. If you require something a little more 21st century, there are electronic/digital labelling systems too.
If you wish to keep costs to a minimum, why not consider making your own?
Luckily for you, as always, GrowMad is on hand to assist. Below we have listed some of the more popular label types and recommended suppliers.
| Not All Labels Are Created Equal
At GrowMad, we use all types of labelling systems, some random, some highly organised.
Here are the GrowMad suggested plant label types and recommended suppliers:
| Standard Traditional White Plastic
The good old white plant label does the job every time and is the most cost-effective method of labelling your plants.
Even if resources are stretched, consider buying at least one packet of these...
GrowMad's recommended white plastic label suppliers:
The Essentials Company | Elixir Garden Supplies | Labels 'n' Things | The Garden Superstore
| Coloured Plastic Labels
Easy to see and useful if you wish to simply colour-code your variety listings. Simply keep a note of variety and which of the colours it relates to.
No worrying about the ink fading in the sun...
GrowMad's recommended cloured plastic label suppliers:
The Essentials Company Labels 'n' Things Elixir Garden Supplies Sarah Raven
| Black Labels
Black plant labels used with a white marker pen always stand out in a crowd, subtle but highly fashionable.
Treat yourself to a little luxury...
GrowMad's recommended black label suppliers:
Nutscene Labels 'n' Things Sarah Raven Harrod Horticultural Viridis Hortus
| T-Shaped
The T-shaped plant labels come in a range of sizes and are useful if you require a larger label or wish to present digitally produced print. Some also have angled heads.
Make a statement with a T-Label on your plot...
GrowMad's recommended T-shaped label suppliers:
Elixir Garden Supplies Labels 'n' Things The Essentials Company Garden Labelling The Garden Superstore
| Wooden
Add a touch of class to your plot or greenhouse with some wooden plant labels. At the same time, grab a plant label that is a little more eco-friendly.
Look no further, GrowMad has your back...
GrowMad's recommended wooden label suppliers:
Labels 'n' Things The Essentials Company Alitags Sarah Raven Garden Labelling
| Digital Printers
Bring yourself into the 21st century with some digital labelling. This digital printer from Brother is our go-to printer for all our quick labelling requirements.
Reliable labels every time and so easy to use...
GrowMad's recommended digital label printer suppliers:
Harrod Horticultural Brother Labels 'n' Things Two Wests CVP Digital
| Thermal Printed Labels
An alternative to tape printing is to produce and print your own adhesive labels. At GrowMad we use a Dymo Label Writer 450. It comes with its own easy-to-use software for designing layouts and prints onto your choice of label type and size...
GrowMad's recommended thermal label printer suppliers:
| Label Marker Pens
Don't forget to consider marker pens to go with your labels. Pencils are great but a good marker pen will be more permanent. Ensure the pens contain long-lasting, weather-proof indelible ink.
Go get a pen...
GrowMad's recommended label marker pen suppliers:
Elixir Garden Supplies Labels 'n' Things Garden Labelling Harrod Horticultural Sarah Raven
For a more comprehensive list of label manufacturers and suppliers, why not visit GrowMad/Product Directory/labelling
You can find labels and digital labelling under Garden Essentials.
| Keeping Records
Keeping detailed records is just as important as plant labelling, especially if you are fortunate enough to have the harvest of a lifetime.
Without good record-keeping, would you be able to replicate the results next season? It's just not worth trying to remember, there are always so many other things to consider.
An Excel spreadsheet is an excellent way of making your lists.
Things to consider for record-keeping could include:
- Vegetable Type
- Variety
- Seed Supplier
- Sowing Dates
- Germination Days
- Heated Propagator or Direct Sown?
- Prick Out Dates
- Planting/transplanting Dates
- First Harvest Dates
- Harvest Finish Dates
- Notes
| Conclusion & Takeaway
Make plant labelling an essential part of your veg gardening tasks, to ensure 100% plant and variety identification.
If you choose to use a traditional handwritten label, ensure you either use a pencil or an indelible ink marker pen that won't fade in the sun. Take care with paper labels, the slugs and snails love nothing more than munching on paper and ink.
Once you have labelled, make detailed notes and allotment records and keep them in a safe place. If you don't, you may regret it.
Now, go sow some seed, happy growing.
