DIY Plant Markers
What do you add to make your dream garden even better? Pretty DIY plant markers of course!
If you’re new here friends, then you have to check out the post on how after two years we finally made the garden of our dreams, including these perfect and budget friendly garden beds! And you simply can’t have a dream garden and perfect garden beds without some pretty DIY plant markers am I right?
There are so many DIY plant markers out there, but most won’t last the test of time. Paint fades, metal rusts, and if wood isn’t sealed correctly it will rot. When I took this all into account, it seemed that if I wanted a quality DIY plant marker I should use a wood burner to make sure the plant name will last in all the natural elements, and that the wood I used was sealed for longer durability! And I’ve got to say, I love how they turned out!
What you’ll need:
- Wood Burning Tool <- I purchased this one off of Amazon for a great price!
- Grade Stakes
- 3, 1″ x 4″ x 1′ pressure treated board
- Clear outdoor wood sealer
DIY Plant Markers
Materials
- Wood burning tool
- Grade Stakes-Pine (12-Pack) (Common: 1 in. x 2 in. x 1-1/2 ft.; Actual: .562 in. x 1.375 in. x 17.5 in.)
- 1 in. x 4 in. x 4 ft. Doug Fir Above Ground Pressure-Treated Lumber
- Exterior wood sealer
Tools
- Drill and screws or hammer and nails
- Wood saw (or ask Home Depot to cut the 1" x 4" x 4' boards into 10" sections
Instructions
- Cut the boards into 10" sections, as many as needed for plant markers
- Nail or screw boards onto stakes
- Burn plant names into boards
- Seal the boards with a outdoor wood stain
How to burn your markers
Make sure to use extreme caution when using the wood burning tool. It will take a layer of skin off if you touch it! (I know this from experience sadly.)
Use in an area free from others, and on a surface that you can lay a hot tool on. I used a large cookie sheet to place my tool on between using.
Use a scrap pice of wood to practice on. I played with a few of the different tips it came with and decided to use the rounded end.
Slow and steady is the name of the wood burning game. Too fast and it doesn’t burn deep enough, stop at any point or go too slow and you’ll burn larger “holes” into the wood and your lines will look chunky in places. Honestly though, this all just adds to the character of the marker! Don’t worry too much, I love the messy, non-perfect look. Perfection is overrated friends!
You’ll notice when burning over knots and lines in the wood that those spots are harder to burn though, where as smooth even wood burns a more clean line. Keep that in mind when purchasing your wood and try to find pieces that are even without many imperfections in them.
Aren’t they just adorable?! After your done burning them all take outside and seal with the clear, outdoor wood sealer. Once dry take those beautiful markers out and place in your garden!
I can’t wait to plant in a few weeks and have my markers proudly displaying everything that’s growing in our beautiful garden!
Have you used a wood burning tool before? It’s addicting! I’m thinking up ways to use it next.
Happy Gardening!
Need help starting seeds indoors? Check out this article and get your seeds going in preparation for a bountiful gardening season!
