Cheapskate plant markers

Every spring I start several flats of vege and flower seeds.  Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, cabbage, sprouts, etc.  Each of the seedlings needs to be labeled with a plant marker, in order to tell which is which come planting time.  Most people use wooden Popsicle stick-like things, sold in gardening catalogs, to identify their plants.  A couple of years ago I decided I didn't want to spend five bucks for a dozen Popsicle sticks, and devised a cheapskate alternative.  Interested?  Want to learn more?  Thought not.  Too bad!  Here goes!

Take a plastic gallon milk jug.  Empty, of course.

Cut off the curved base.

Cut off the curved top and the two sides adjacent to the handle  You just want the two flat, smooth sides.

If you want 3" markers, cut the flat sides in half.  If you want 6" markers, leave them at their full height.  I cut mine in half, width-wise.

Now cut the bands into 1" wide strips.  You can cut them into triangles or rectangles depending on your preference.

A Sharpie works well for writing on the plastic.  One gallon jug will make about thirty 3" markers.

See, that wasn't so hard!  Easy peasey, lemon squeezey!