13 DIY Plant Markers from Recycled and Natural Materials

It’s garden season again–yay! Having accidentally left all my plant markers in the garden of my old house (I hope the new owners enjoy them!), I need to make new ones this year, so I thought that I would explore my options.

Y’all, there are a LOT of plant marker tutes out there in the world!

I’ve confined my results to those that use either natural or recycled materials, obv, but also to those that aren’t so finicky that it would break your heart if a kid stepped on them (better on that then on the plants!), and that look easily doable–I want to spend my time on my plants, NOT my plant markers.

Spoiler alert: As a result of my research, I think I’ll be painting rocks and Mason jar lids this year. What are YOUR plant markers going to look like?

1. clothespins. These are quick and easy–and easy to disassemble at the end of the season!

2. copper. These will age nicely, but you’ll need to put them somewhere that they won’t get battered.

3. dinosaurs. Here’s a perfect way to use up the small toys that your kids have outgrown–if they ever do!

4. found object hanging markers. These are fun to embellish with whatever pretties that you can discover around your house; my kids like to use alphabet beads.

5. keyboard keys. You can reletter keys to get the letters that you need–otherwise, you’d need a LOT of old keyboards in order to label your garden!

6. painted rock or brick plant markers. You can let the kids have a larger canvas with these plant markers; just seal them when they’re finished, so they don’t fade.

7. juice can lids. I think I’m going to use old Mason jar lids for this project!

8. shaved sticks. These look best when wood burned, I think, but hey–whatever gets them in the ground!

9. soda can plant markers. I’ve learned the hard way that soda can edges can be sharp, so it wouldn’t hurt to take these for a turn around your bench grinder before you stamp them.

10. stamped spoons. These markers will end up on the small side, so they’re great for container gardens.

11. stamped washer plant tags. These are understated, and won’t draw the eye away from your pretty plants.

12. vinyl blinds. Some older types of blinds are not food-safe, so know the provenance of your old blinds or use them with your ornamentals.

13. wine cork plant markers. Better start drinking up the wine, if you have a big garden this year!

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About the Author

Julie Finn I'm a writer, crafter, Zombie Preparedness Planner, and homeschooling momma of two kids who will hopefully someday transition into using their genius for good, not the evil machinations and mess-making in which they currently indulge. I'm interested in recycling and nature crafts, food security, STEM education, and the DIY lifestyle, however it's manifested--making myself some underwear out of T-shirts? Done it. Teaching myself guitar? Doing it right now. Visit my blog Craft Knife for a peek at our very weird handmade homeschool life; my etsy shop Pumpkin+Bear for a truly odd number of rainbow-themed beeswax pretties; and my Google + for links to articles about poverty, educational politics, and this famous cat who lives in my neighborhood.