My old plant tags were just masking tape and a sharpie for years.
After my basil and mint got mixed up in the garden last spring, I bought a cheap label maker from the hardware store for about twenty bucks. Do you find that proper labels make you pay more attention to what you're growing?
Funny you should mention that. I read a gardening blog last month that talked about how the simple act of labeling can make you a more mindful gardener. It really stuck with me. Having a proper tag makes me stop and actually look at the plant each time I pass by, checking its progress. That little bit of extra attention means I notice problems, like pests or dry soil, way sooner than I used to. It turned a chore into part of the routine.
What do you use for your labels? I tried popsicle sticks but they got all fuzzy after a few rains. Now I just write on those plastic blinds you can cut up, they last forever. It really does make you pay more attention when you see the name right there.