Irises: Aluminum cans become Iris ID Markers, 1 by Pegwesttx

Pegwesttx wrote:
I had intended to clean out an iris bed this afternoon but the rain has kept me inside so I thought I'd take time to share this NO COST DYI iris marker idea with you. For nearly a decade I have been keeping track of what iris are planted where with these DYI markers. They would be good to use when nothing else is handy.

#1 You need a pair of cheap sissors like mine which came from the Dollar Store.

#2 An empty pop can (aka soda cans, coke cans, beer can)

#3 Cut the can in half across the middle being careful to keep hands away from sharp edges.

#4 The bottom half is what is good to use. (Put the top half into the recycle bin.)

#5 Holding the bottom half in your other hand, make 2 cuts straight down from into the can's edge to the bottom on opposites sides.

#6 Now carefully fold the corners down into triangles so there are no sharp edges but two points which will be pressed into the ground.

#7 Write on the bottom (now the top of your marker) with a Sharpie, grease pencil, or paint marker. Put name and whatever else will fit.

#8 Now also write as much info on the bottom of the inside. I can get iris name, TB, and hybridizer written.

#9 Plant this can next to your new iris baby. Press into the dirt. The Sharpie marker will wear off if exposed to the sun but if the marker gets buried it will last. The underneath ID in the ground will last forever.