These easy DIY plant markers are a fun and practical way to label your herbs, veggies, and flowers. Made with simple materials, they’re perfect for adding a personal touch to your garden.
Jump to:
When Will and I were in Montville in September for his sister's wedding, we managed to steal an hour away and visit the nearby town of Maleny for a spot of shopping.
I love visiting small towns and find the most amazing things. At one shop, everything was handmade by people from the local area.
I fell in love with some plant markers but at $5 each, I couldn't quite justify the price. I very naughtily took a sneaky shot of them on my phone and then promptly forgot about them.
A month or two later I was cleaning out my pics and came across it. They looked pretty simple to make and I thought they'd be something my grandma would love - Christmas present sorted (along with an edible gift too of course).
I picked up a bunch of old forks from a local church sale no problem but the little tiles were a bit trickier to find.
My husband managed to track some down at Bunnings for me but I had to buy a sheet of 36 which I think was about $10. Still cheaper than buying the originals.
The hardest part of this was drawing the pictures. My sister is the only one in my family who can draw (no offence Mum and Dad).
She can be quite the artist when she wants to be but me, I'm limited to stick figures and houses where you draw a square with a triangle on top.
I feel for our poor bub because Will and I share the same drawing skills. Anyway, I knew my Grandma (who coincidentally can draw rather well) wouldn't mind. At least she'll have the words there as a backup.
After some time with Google images and my coloured Sharpies I had my tiles. Next up I 'baked' them all in the oven to set the colour then broke out my trusty glue gun and stuck them to the end of the forks.
They're no pro-effort but I think they'll look pretty cute in the garden. The only mistake I made, which I'm just realising now, is that I wrapped the carrot and tomato marker in with my grandma's present when I made them for myself. Oops!
What about you? Do you have artistic skills? Have you ever tried to make something you saw in a shop?
DIY plant markers
Materials
- Square white tiles 5cm
- Permanent markers in desired colours
- Forks
- Glue gun
Instructions
- Draw your images on the tiles.
- If you make a mistake, draw over it with a whiteboard maker and wipe clean.
- Place the tiles in the oven and turn it on to 100C (230F) fan-forced and 'bake' them for 1 hour.
- Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
- Use the glue gun to glue the tiles to the forks and leave to dry.
- Stick them in your garden and admire your handiwork.
Barbara Good says
Definitely no artistic talent here, but I might just be able to pull some of these and they would make my garden quite pretty. Great idea.... even if it was pinched from someone else.
Maureen | Orgasmic Chef says
Too clever, Claire! The fork idea blows me away. You can get those at the op shop for next to nothing. I love this!
Claire says
Thanks Maureen! It's a good idea isn't it and hopefully they don't rust seeing as they're made to be rather tough.
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
They're very cute! I am hopeless at drawing too-at times like that I call my father :P
Claire says
Wish I could Lorraine!
celia says
Claire, what a clever idea! Perfect gift for Christmas! All the best to you and Will for a very Merry Christmas! xx
Claire says
Thanks Celia. Merry Christmas to you and Pete and Big Boy and Small Man! xxx
The Café Sucre Farine says
These are darling Claire, I'm pinning then for when the warm winds blow on this side of the world. You're so clever!
Claire says
Thanks Chris x
Hotly Spiced says
They look really good, Claire and what a great idea. I can't draw either but fortunately, my husband is very good and has rescued me many times xx
Claire says
Can't say the same for mine unfortunately x