Garden Markers

This is a fun and crafty way to mark what is planted in your gardens. Veggies or flowers it matters not. Markers can be moved each planting as you rotate your crops. A good way to re-purpose old or broken tiles and pavers. I also used rocks. Any size and shape with at least one flat or semi-flat surface will work just fine.

1st you should protect the area you will be working in. I did this by working outside on a cardboard box.

Items you should have handy(pic1):

paper cup

paint brushes

paper towels or rags

paper plates

Paints (Not water base or poster paints) at least 2 or 3 colors More is better!

Items you will paint: rocks, tile pieces etc.

Extras you may choose to use(pic2):

glitter

sand paper

paint pens

Nail polish

Sharpie markers

Collect all your goodies and set them out on your protected work area!

Fill your cup with water, for your brushes.

Then put your paints on or near your paper plates

Set out your paint brushes (make sure to check your brushes for loose hair, and remove them)

One last prep, Wash the items you plan to paint. scrub off any old dirt, oils, cobweb and other icky stuff.

Now you are ready!

Squeeze or pour a small amount of paint onto the paper plate. Do the same with 2 or more colors. Choose a color as the main back ground for your first marker and paint it on. You can paint only the top surface, and top and sides. Whatever you like best. Allow to dry.

Mix it up. Have fun, blend paints, anything you like. Just keep in mind that you will want it to stand out in the garden and be easy to see and read. You can make them all alike or each one unique like I did. I used neon colored nail polish on some because I liked the bright colors and I did not have any paints in neon and did not want to go to the store. I also used glitter on some while the paint was still wet. Allow to dry.

After they have completely dried, you can add more details. However you choose. Using more paint you can add anything you want. Stripes, stars, flowers, a sun. Actually anything you can paint. Just remember to only use waterproof materials. Now we take a break while they dry again!

With your paint pens or Sharpie pens add the name. Some of mine I added a phrase or one liner to.

Example:

Garlic

Beans

Carrots

Basil

Or something like, "Corn grows here", "Meet my Beets", or "Mellow Melons"

Now everybody will know exactly what is growing and where.

Remember to use White or light lettering on dark backgrounds, and Black or dark letters on light backgrounds for easy reading. Once they have dried you can go place them in your gardens!