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This is a guide about making Popsicle stick plant markers. Popsicle sticks are great for making inexpensive plant markers.
This is a guide about cork plant markers. Corks can be used to make simple recycled plant markers.
This is a guide about making stone garden markers. Choose some pretty smooth stones to use for making garden plant markers.
This guide contains sand dollar plant markers. These dried sea urchins can be made into colorful garden accessories.
You can make garden tags out of leftover aluminum roof flashing (the kind on a roll). I took a simple tag design that I drew, printed it out on heavy paper, and cut it out. I took that template and a Sharpie and traced that design onto the flashing metal multiple times. I cut it out with regular scissors, then punched a small hole with a hole punch for a place to hang them. The garden tags can be decorated by embossing if you like, simply etch the name of the plant you are identifying with a sharp tool.
By jason0475 from Collegeville, PA
I have moved multiple times and added and split perennials to each flower garden. Sadly, after tending to a variety of gardens, I have had trouble keeping track of what's been planted and where.
My solution? When plants are at their peak, I write with a Sharpie on white plastic knives, the name of the plant and when it blooms. I stick the labeled knife in the center of the plant so I can easily locate my investment each spring and summer. I have used this trick for over 18 years and haven't lost a plant yet!
By blasg from IN
This is a method for making plant labels that are weather resistant and pretty, for the project presented in Birds and Blooms Magazine by Kirsten Sweet. The designer did not give measurements for the labels she made. So I came up with my own. There is no intent here to take credit from her. Plus she mentioned using ultra-firm stabilizer and iron-on adhesive. When I went to buy some I found it to be very, very expensive. I had to find a more economical way. (Besides, I don't get along with irons.) So here are my instructions for the labels.
Approximate Time: 2-3 days for glue and sealant to dry.
*Do not use Mod Podge! It caused several problems after 6 days!
Note: You may use any base material that is weather resistant.
Note: It's fun to have a different pattern for each base. I went to my neighborhood fabric shop and looked through their "scrap" box. Nicely, already cut squares of over 40 different patterns!
Note: Aleene's "OK To Wash-It" is very sticky and takes a long time to dry. So be patient. This makes the labels water proof and washable, which is needed as the labels will get wet each time the plants are watered. When I thought I was finished, there were still tiny sticky spots, so I put some baking powder on those spots.
Note: You may use wider strips of fabric canvas, but it will cover more of your decorative background. The name of the plant doesn't need to be seen from far away. The label is for the person growing the plants.
Note: There are binder clips that have pretty decorations on them also. So there is no need to use plain black.
Hang the shoe holder from a strong door or fence or from nails placed through the grommet holes at the top of the holder into some wooden surface, fill each pocket with soil, plant the seeds, water your seeds, clip on a label!
Note: The hanging shoe organizer I found was from www.casa.com. It was the only one I found with a bamboo top edge, which I felt might support the weight of the soil better than one with a cloth top edge.
By JazzyMe from Los Angeles, CA
Editor's Note: JazzyMe doesn't have a completed photo of the vertical planter as she is giving it as a gift.
Save those plastic knives from your picnic to make durable row markers. Mark plant variety and planting date with permanent marker. Push knife with handle side in the ground.
One of the most difficult things to find for the garden is plant markers that hold up to the seasons. After experimenting for decades, I have many suggestions...
I save all plastic labels that come with bedding plants. I clean them a bit and store them in a baggie along with a roll of good masking tape and a permanent marker.
Use old forks as garden markers. Simply "weave" your seed packets through the tines on forks you no longer use. Stick them in the garden to mark your rows. Even plastic forks could be used, but be sure they are firmly pushed in the ground.
Instead of buying plant markers go to your hardware store and ask for a bundle of shims. These are very inexpensive wooden slats and have plenty of room to use a permanent marker to write the name of the plant.
Have leftover wooden spoons that come with the little ice cream cups or popsicle sticks? Use them as labels in your garden.
Instead of paying $5 for 20 garden markers, go to the Dollar store and get 30 plastic knives for $1 instead. Use a permanent marker for your plant name and place accordingly.
If you take a short length of 1/2 inch water pipe and cut it lengthwise about 1/4 inch with a hack saw and then cut one side in to your cut, it gives you a curved embossing tool. Making a straight embossing tool is easy. Any piece of metal with the same thickness as your curved tool will do.
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By Regina
Hi Regina! Just found this site.
I used old horizontal blinds to make my plant markers. Each slat cuts easily to whatever size you prefer and they won't go bad in weather. You can use them for years! A neighbor was throwing them out and I rescued them from their trash. If you don't have any, check to see if you can find them at a thrift store. Best wishes and happy gardening! :) aprlfool59 (Sharon)
I just cut up a used bleach bottle, or other fairly strong plastic bottle. I mark it with a Sharpie, or other permanent marker.
Something you can use are the wooden tongue depressor-type sticks that craft stores sell in big boxes. Use a Sharpie or other waterproof pen and then after the ink is dry you can lay a number of markers on a sheet of newspaper and spray them with a clear spray...just a light spray to weather-proof the ink.
I just replaced my white, plastic vertical blinds. They went straight into the garage because that area is where I keep things to be used differently someday! The blinds cut easily with just a scissors and need only a permanent marker for this project. When official warm weather starts, I plan on using them for plant markers.
I could kick myself. My neighbor just threw out a set of the thin plastic blinds. The bulk trash was a week late picking up trash. In my heart I knew that there was something about those blinds that I could use. never the less I do have several milk jugs that I did some failed experiments (cut holes in them) and I still have them. Thanks
