Friday, February 11, 2011

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!

13 comments:

Mama Pea said...

It's the simplest ideas that are the best! Thanks for sharing this one.

Revolution Farm said...

Great idea!

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha!!! Great idea, Josie!! Should we start saving our milk jugs for you to use??? Can't wait to see you for the shower in two weeks!

Unknown said...

I cut up my cottage cheese cartons for plant markers - same end result - using kitchen shears and a sharpie marker. I have been called "frugal" too!

Unknown said...

I cut up our cottage cheese cartons with kitchen shears and use a sharpie to label them. I have been called "frugal" too!

Unknown said...

My gosh .... didn't think my first comment went .... sorry about the double post.

Erin said...

Very nice! If I didn't still have a bunch of blinds I chopped up I would do this too!

Carol............. said...

I've been doing that for a couple of years now and it works great....

When we return to our place in Washington State I'll need to get on that....

I usually make mine longer and stick them into the veggie beds since I can never remember what seeds are planted where! LOL

Susan said...

That's what my grandma, the ultimate recycler, always used too!

Rodney said...

Thats a great idea! not that tey cost very much but leaves more money for plants, soil.... Thanks for posting!:D

Anyways, my wifes name is Annette (pastors wife)and she just opened her blog to public setting as she wants to be an encouragement and blessing to people (she is also hoping to do giveaways). I was trying to be an encouragement to her by asking if you would be willing to swing by and say hi as she does not know many people in the blog world? Thank you for considering. Her blog is

http://continuedwonder.blogspot.com/

Thank You,
Rodney(Annette's husband

Erin said...

Just checking in, miss you! Hope everything is ok!

Jo said...

Oh, yes we are alive! So sorry I have slacked off, I just haven't felt the blog bug recently. Sick kids, long winter, etc. But we are well, thank you!! :)

FarmSchooler said...

Pop cans work well also...then you sort of "engrave" your names on them and they dont fade or wash away.

I grew up (to age 41 - lol) in KC and am now on 15 acres in NE Oklahoma :o) This is the BEST part of life, isnt it!!!

Married 20yrs
Homeschool mom of 6
(kiddos ages 30, 22, 19, 17, 16 & 13)

Dona in OK