Winter is hitting hard! BUT… That doesn’t mean we can’t prepare for spring! How?… You say. Well, listen up, because I’ve got just the thing! Inventory those seeds darlin’, because we’re going to make some beautiful DIY Garden Markers!
Let the gardening begin! Last spring, I had some seedlings started, and all I had to mark them with was popsicle sticks and a permanent marker.
It wasn’t very pretty. In fact, it was downright ugly!
I HAD to do something!
So I relied on my graphic designing skills and set out to make a Garden Marker that was pretty to look at.
It took me several days. BUT…I finally finished a design I was sure to be proud of!
Recently, I updated these garden markers. I made more illustrations, and added new plants to the list! I’ve added butterfly labels, more herbs, more vegetables, and some medicinal plants too!
Do you want to learn how to have the HOTTEST Garden Markers on the block?
Gathering Supplies to Make DIY Garden Markers
Originally, I picked up the baker’s twine, glass gems, modge podge. a sponge brush, and a glue gun at the Dollar Tree.
This spring, I’m remaking my garden markers. I want to try to perfect this process a little more. So I’ve bought a bigger better glue gun, different glues to try out, and better glass gems that are clearer!
Plus, I’m going to be printing these on vinyl paper instead of regular printer paper. Vinyl paper offers more protection from the outdoor elements.
I’ve ordered the supplies, so when I try them I’ll update the post once I’ve finished.
Check out more Dollar Tree gardening supplies, I made a list!
DIY Garden Markers
Supplies:
First, let’s talk about supplies. What will you need to make the DIY Garden Markers?
- Mod Podge – Matte preferably, but you can also use glossy.
- Scissors
- Vinyl Printer Paper, glossy or matte. This kind of paper is best since it’s waterproof.
- Baker’s Twine – I found mine at the Dollar Tree. You can also purchase baker’s twine on Amazon.
- Sticks – Find sticks and cut them the length that is most useful to you. You want them at least 3/4 – 1 inch around.
- 1-inch Glass Gems – I stopped getting mine at the Dollar Tree because they aren’t very clear. I’ve got some clearer glass gems ordered from Amazon. I’ll repost when I finish the new ones.
- E6000, to glue the glass gems onto the wood. It’s capable of gluing glass, and wood together.
- Small Sponge/Foam Brush – Found mine at the Dollar Tree. You can also purchase sponge brushes on Amazon.
- Glue Gun – Glue Sticks – I recently bought an amazing glue gun. It actually stands up, no more dripping and falling over hot glue and gun for this gal!
- Garden Marker Printables: The last item you’ll need to make these beautiful garden markers PDF. There are several packages to choose from below.
Outdoor Modge Podge – I recently found that Mod Podge makes an outdoor version. I tried using this version of Mod Podge on vinyl paper and it smeared the dye on the image. Also, it says that it’s for covered outdoor areas, and it NOT waterproof. So this is a method I can cross off the list.
Which Garden Markers Do You Want?
I’m offering several different packages of garden markers.
Grab $10 off any package! I’m running a spring special for 2020. I don’t know about you but I’m itching to start gardening! So before spring officially begins, let’s make some pretty garden markers!
A new coupon coming soon!
Basic Vegetable Garden Markers PDF
Mega Vegetable Garden Markers PDF
This package includes over 100 vegetable plant labels.
Buy Mega Vegetable Garden Markers PDFHerb and Medicinal Garden Markers PDF
This package includes over 60 herb and medicinal plant labels.
Buy Herb and Medicinal Garden Markers PDF
This package includes over 50 butterfly plant labels.
Buy Butterfly Garden Markers PDFSave $40 and buy them all!
Get all the garden markers! Over 200 plant labels!
Buy Ultimate Garden Markers PDFIf you’d like a free printable kinda like these you can find a couple here. Though, there aren’t any titles, just an illustration, plus less to choose from. They are cute though!
DIY Garden Marker Tutorial
DIY Garden Markers | DIY Plant Labels
Make your own beautiful garden markers this year. Great for community gardens and personal gardens!
The pictures will disappear when you hit the print button! So you don't have to worry about wasting ink!
Materials
- Twine (color of your choice, I found pretty twine at the Dollar Tree)
- Sticks – Find sticks and cut them the length that is most useful to you. You want them at least 3/4 – 1 inch around.
- 30 pieces Glass gems
- Garden Marker Printables (Print out the garden marker printables, and cut around the dotted lines)
Tools
- Scissors
- Hot Glue Gun
- Hot Glue Sticks
- Mod Podge
- E6000 Craft Glue
- Sticker Paper
Instructions
- First, plug in the glue gun, and set it aside somewhere safe away from kids, animals and flammable items.
- Brush a very thin coat of modge podge on the flat part of the gems.
- Lay the circle face down into the modge podge. Glance on the rounded side and make sure you can see the image and text. The picture will look much clearer after the glue has dried. Now glue on top of the paper, on one side, and again a very thin layer of modge podge!
- Quickly, put the two sides together. Make sure to line up the pictures.
- For this next couple of steps, make sure you have the twine out and unraveled a bit, and the glue open and ready to use. Grab one of the sticks, and put a dollop of glue on the end. I found it helpful to also add a little bit of glue from the hot glue gun, because the E6000 takes a while to set and using the hot glue with allow you to let go of it more quickly and lay it down to dry completely.
- Quickly, set the gems in the glue.
- Hold the glass gem in the glue for a for minute to let it set. Lay it down and don’t disturb it for about a day.
- Add a thin layer of glue around the edges of the gems, to help keep out water. If water gets in there the paper inside will dull and bleed out the dyes in the ink.
- Next, I added the twine by using a drop of glue from the glue gun, and then wrapped it around and around. Then, glue the end. I usually tried to start and end on the side to help conceal the ugliness of the glue. I also squish the glue down, so that it is not beady. It looks less inconspicuous this way.
- Allow these to dry overnight. Then, place them in the garden.
Notes
Now you get to enjoy all of your hard work. These DIY Garden Markers are a beautiful way to mark your little seeds this spring.
Recommended Products
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Now you get to enjoy all of your hard work. These DIY Garden Markers are a beautiful way to mark your little seeds this spring.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! Don’t forget the Garden Marker Printables! Grab them now and use the code “spring special” at checkout to save $10 on any package! Update I will make a new code soon.
Grab our free Planting Notebook. Just a little thank you for stopping by!
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Have questions? Leave me a comment!
I would love to know what you think, Please leave me a comment! Thank you for visiting. 🙂
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Maria Riggs
unable to download the printables, even though I signed up.
Maria
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Updating this comment, since many people are having issues printing…
If you have issues printing or downloading that would be a software/computer issue.
You will need the proper software that will allow you to open/download/print PDF’s. I found free software for my kid’s laptop several years ago for PDFs. I’m not sure what’s available these days.
If you have issues getting to the free printables page, I can help! Send me an email through the contact page to let me know about your issue! Sorry that I cannot help with computer or software issues!
Deneen Homer
I’ve signed up several times still cannot print the printables
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
I’m so sorry Deneen! I did send over an email to you.
Updating this comment, since many people are having issues printing…
If you have issues printing or downloading that would be a software/computer issue.
You will need the proper software that will allow you to open/download/print PDF’s. I found free software for my kid’s laptop several years ago for PDFs. I’m not sure what’s available these days.
If you have issues getting to the free printables page, I can help! Send me an email through the contact page to let me know about your issue! Sorry that I cannot help with computer or software issues!
jordan
i have also subscribed and am unable to print the printable?
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Not being able to print a PDF is an software/computer issue.
If you don’t have software to view/open/download/print PDF’s you might be able to find software to fix the issue. Several years ago, I found free software for my kid’s laptop. I’m not sure what is available now, but you might could do a search in the app store, or maybe see if you have software but maybe it needs an update? If that doesn’t help you might can try to ask a computer wiz guy/gal to help you remedy the issue.
Teresa Lynn Morgan
Hi Kristi, I just signed up as well and can’t seem to print of anything. I love your sight and look forward to spending time on it. I have a small family farm that I have inherited and I’m looking for ideas to make it a really cool family farm again. I hope to be a useful contributor as well as a user of the sight.
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
I am so sorry that you experience issues with the printables!
If you are able to access the free printables page but you cannot view/print/download them, it is a software/computer issue.
You will need software that will allow you to view/print or download the free printables. Several years ago, I was able to get free software for my kid’s laptop. I’m not sure what is available now.
If anyone is experiencing issues getting to the printables page, use the contact area to send me an email and I would be happy to help you! Sorry that I cannot help you with computer/software issues!
Deborah
Hi kristi! The marker idea is Awesome. I can also relate with doing the popsicle sticks and markers , and have tried numerous other ideas which didn’t work to well either. I’m definitely going to try this one. They are soooooo cute! Thanks
Debe
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Thank you, Deborah! They are super cute, and much cuter than the old popsicle sticks! I hope you love the garden markers!
Maria Kirk
To solve the tomatoe bleeding problem I printed the tags in grayscale. I then used colored pencils to shade in the tomatoe and it’s stem. The result was gorgeous, it looks like it came from an antique seed package. Thank you for the cute craft!
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Why didn’t I think of that? Great Idea, Maria! I will be trying that, I have planted several tomato plants! I really wanted a pretty marker on them!
Susan
What a lovely way to dress up and label a garden. I’m so charmed by these markers. Congrats, you’re featured this week at the #ThisIsHowWeRoll Link Party.
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Awesome! Thank you so much. I am stoked to be featured this week!
Jamie
What a fun idea! I know when the monsoons hit here in the mountains of AZ, my labels usually can’t even be read. This would help with that. Pinning to try. 🙂
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
We have had several storms here, and most of mine are fine. I noticed one them seems to have faded just a bit. It could just be that there wasn’t enough glue or something, i’m not sure. I am pretty happy with them overall! Thanks for stopping by!
Melissa
Do you have flower printable?- we made a butterfly garden for the local library and would love to have the flowers labeled.
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Hey Melissa,
Sorry I don’t. That is a good idea though. I put it on my list of things to do.
Bonnie
Did mine today super cute and fun! Thank you.
Kristi @HomesteadWishing
Oh Yay! Thanks, Bonnie for coming back to let me know. I’m so glad that you love them!
Lisa
I subscribed to your website and I was wondering if the vegetable garden markers are still free on subscribing? Really looking forward to it 🙂
Brittney
The link no longer works. Are these available anywhere else.