Target Marker Setup

Owned by Matthew Kutugata
Last updated: Oct 29, 2024
3 min read

 

The markers should be placed permanently across the potting area. After installation, they should not move for any reason.

Marker Files

Do Not mix old markers with new ones. Throw out your old markers

 

MD:

  • 62 markers made up of 4 staggered row

NC:

  • 68 markers made up of 5 staggered rows

TX:

  • 58 markers made up of 5 staggered rows

Materials:

  1. 3-4-ft rebar stakes (x number of markers)

  2. String line

  3. Measuring tape

  4. Small sledge hammer

  5. Flat Black spray paint

  6. Spray adhesive

  7. High Heat automotive flat clear coat spray

  8. Lamination sheets

  9. Laminator

  10. 3D printed caps or some type of rebar cap  Rebar safety caps (available at Lowes or HomeDepot) (x number of markers)

Setting Up Marker Positions

Installing Rebar:

  1. Align markers using a string line and measuring tape (see inset of your respective marker layout images below)

  2. Mark the marker locations on the ground with something that won’t permanently stay on the weed fabric

  3. Hammer the rebar 10-in - 20-in into the ground, with 18-in - 24-in remaining above the ground where you marked on the weed fabric. Try to keep the rebar as vertical as possible. You can use a level.

Preparing and Placing Markers:

  1. Paint the rebar safety caps or 3D printed caps flat black

  2. Cutout and laminate new qr codes

  3. Markers should have a white borders, do not cut to the black markings

  4. After the rebar caps have dried, stick the laminated markers cleanly onto the rebar caps using the adhesive spray. Be sure to avoid smudging the markers with adhesive residue.

  5. After the adhesive has dried, spray the markers with a layer of the high-heat automotive clear coat for protection against the sun.

  6. Place the caps on the pre-installed rebar in order longitudinally so that if a few fall off near the same area, we know where they belong.

 

 

 

 

 

 

These marker locations are flexible in terms of spacing to avoid getting in the way of pot locations. Important considerations include:

  1. Keep the total number of markers as close as possible to what’s indicated for each location

  2. Stagger alternating rows of markers to maximize coverage

  3. Place the markers in order going along the potting area. This will help if a few get knocked off by the wind. Don’t order the markers randomly.

 

Pot Spacing dimension

  • Pots should be spaced on 1.5’ centers both laterally and longitudinally

  • Species groups should be separated by skipping a row of pots

 

Measuring Marker Locations

  • Use an RTK gps to measure marker locations. This is the easiest and simplest way.

  • We don’t need absolute accuracy, only relative accuracy when measuring the coordinates with the RTK.

  • Export and send the coordinates to Matt at mkutuga@ncsu.edu