i would usually put them behind the plants .. so when the plants grew they would be hidden ... so they wouldnt piss you off ... lol ...

if i put them in the garage ... i would lose them [you know that stack of 20 years of random labels]... and they wouldnt be with the plant when aunt Ethel wanted to know what it was ...

not to mention ... if i paid $100 for something.. i want them to know what it is ...

ken

Makes sense to me to try to keep plant labels near the plants, especially if you are a novice. Garden labels are very typical....I wish that more people would label their plants. I'm not sure why you think it's silly. :-)

Sillier, I think, to keep the labels in a box in the garage where they won't do the gardener much good.

I do this for various reasons. One is if it is a new plant to me and I want the tag until I'm sure I have the name memorized. Another reason is if it is a marginally hardy plant and I'll want to know where to look for it in the spring. Another is that lately, I'm only visiting my plants on the weekends, except a quick run-through with watering can for potted plants on Wed or Thur. Sometimes tiny just-boughts can totally disappear within a week - from getting eaten, shriveling, drowning, baking, and all sorts of other things... and I'll want to remember that I'd planted something that is no longer there, so a judgment about that can be formed.

But totally agree, I don't like looking at them, and throw them away after the reason no longer exists.

Gardening begins with one step. Yes, it might seem silly someone is using markers for their snapdragons and marigolds, but if they are new to gardening, they may not be familiar with any common plants. The day will come when they can tell at first glance, what these annuals are, and they won't need a marker. But markers make sense for seasoned gardeners that want to remember the name of a special cultivar, or planted seeds and they want to remember where they are. Or they just have trouble remembering plants names. Suppose it would just be a good idea to place the marker in with the plants in such a way that it doesn't look tacky and draw attention away from the beauty of the plants. Not using markers and just playing guessing games can be fun too. Strolling around and contemplating the abominable mystery of the plant kingdom.

I understand all the reasons for keeping them for all your reasons as long as you hide them in the pots. Haha! I do keep them in my veggies so I know the colors of the peppers I planted. I just can't understand the way someone would plant 50 plus petunias and leave them in for every 4 pack of plants. I want to see there beautiful flowers and not the tacky tags. Keep one hidden. Lol. I am sorry for venting here. I live for summer and my flowers and garden.