An alternative to a grease pencil (China marker?) that I have used for years on the sides of black plastic pots is "Mean Streak - Waterproof Permanent Marking Stick" made by Sanford Corp., Bellwood, IL USA 60104. I still have the same marker I got over 10 years ago, and I no longer recall where it was purchased. Writing on the pots has remained intact for at least 5 years, all exposed to the weather. One disadvantage: if you reuse pots, be sure to mark a line through the old writing, as I have not found a way to remove the white marks. Richard Smith northern California, z 9ab In a message dated 2/10/03 8:13:31 PM, batlette@cox.net writes: > Speaking of grease pencils, I have looked for months for white ones and > finally found some on a dusty, unused shelf at the building supply yard, of > all places. We like to mark the outside of the black plastic gallon pots in > case our stake(s) disappears from the inside. > > Cathy Craig President PBS > Maritime zone 9b > >