I was looking for a cute new idea for some plant markers (last year I did paint stick plant markers) and came across several ideas using wooden spoons as plant markers. Which I thought was a good idea as wooden spoons are very inexpensive. You can find a bag of them just about anywhere. I found a bag of 8 at TJMaxx for $3.99 but I know the dollar stores have them as well as the big box stores. Here’s how I made my DIY Plant Markers!
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links to Amazon and/or Etsy, which means that I may earn a small commission from some of the links in this post. Please see our Disclosure Page for more information.
Last year I didn’t seal the paint stick plant markers I made and most of them didn’t make it through the winter (I probably shouldn’t have left them in the garden). So this year I used some outdoor Mod Podge to seal my new plant markers because even though they weren’t hard to make they were a bit more labor intensive than just writing a plant name on a paint stick! So I want them to last!
I made two tone wooden spoon plant markers using the same blue that I used on my vegetable garden gate and arbor and back screen door. I’m trying to unify the backyard with color – so I’m using that aqua color and sprinkling it around.
DIY Plant Markers
Materials:
- wooden spoons
- 2 different colors of acrylic paint
- alphabet stickers
- Mod Podge Outdoor
Instructions:
1. paint your wooden spoon the color you want your lettering to be and let dry for a few hours
2. spell out your plant name on the flat side of the spoon with your alphabet stickers
3. paint over the alphabet stickers with your 2nd paint choice. Let dry about 20 minutes.
4. Carefully remove your stickers. Use your fingernail and start at one edge and gently lift off. As you remove the sticker you will see that the color you painted first will form your letter.
5. Seal with a few thin coats of Mod Podge Outdoor letting it dry 15 minutes or so between coats. Let your spoons dry for 24 hours before putting them outside (or skip the sealer part if you don’t care if they last more than one season)
These are really easy to make and if you set up assembly line style you should be able to make these plant markers quickly!
I know what plants are what – the plant markers aren’t for me but for other family members who for some reason will not can not remember where the pepper plants are or what’s basil and what’s mint!
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions says
June 20, 2014 at 4:28 pmFamily members who will not be named, I take it, Manuela! : ) I think this is a great idea and gives a whimsical look in the garden, too. Good idea to seal them with the outdoor Mod Podge. It would probably be a good idea to do that yearly, too.
Manuela Williams says
June 20, 2014 at 5:42 pmLOL! Yes, why after 20+ years does “someone” not know what parsley looks like?
Bev says
June 20, 2014 at 4:41 pmWe just moved into a new home and I came across the dozen of wooden spoons and immediately wanted to throw them out since I had way too many. But something told me not to because something might come up where I’ll need them. Lo and behold I just read your blog and got so excited. What a fantastic idea and I plan to copy! Thanks!! -Bev
Manuela Williams says
June 20, 2014 at 5:49 pmYay! It was meant to be 🙂 So glad you found a use for them now!
Glenda says
June 20, 2014 at 5:25 pmThose are cute – thanks for the tutorial.
Enjoy your weekend!
Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces says
June 20, 2014 at 11:35 pmSuch a cute idea, Manuela…thanks for sharing!
Kathleen Grace says
June 21, 2014 at 9:53 amCute! I had no idea you could get the spoons so inexpensively :>)
Carol says
June 21, 2014 at 7:01 pmWhat a cute idea.
I will have to keep my eye out at TJ Maxx for some inexpensive spoons.
Theresa H. Roach says
June 21, 2014 at 9:24 pmThose are SO cute:) Thanks for the idea! Enjoy your weekend dear Manuela, HUGS!
Pamela says
June 22, 2014 at 1:44 amLovin’ the garden! The plant markers are sweet!
Jann Olson says
June 24, 2014 at 10:42 amCute idea! Hopped over from ‘Empress of Dirt” fb page.
hugs,
Jann
Manuela Williams says
June 26, 2014 at 1:11 pmThanks so much for stopping by!
Christine says
June 24, 2014 at 10:46 amI am L-O-V-I-N-G this….such a cute idea!
Manuela Williams says
June 26, 2014 at 1:10 pmThanks Christine! Those wooden spoons are just so cheap!
Heather @ new house new home says
June 24, 2014 at 3:37 pmWhat a terrific idea!! I’m always looking for new ways to mark my plants other than the usual plastic plant markers.
Kim says
June 26, 2014 at 10:05 amI really love this idea. I am going to the Dollar store to get some spoons now. This will add color besides IDing the plant , so I am in.