Clay DIY plant markers for garden beds

These simple DIY plant markers for garden beds are a simple way to help keep track of plants and they make perfect gifts too!

Before this planting season kicks off, I’m determined to have my ducks in a row. The seeds have been order – flowers and vegetables – and I’ve got a head start on making more of these DIY plant markers for garden beds here on the farm. 

Instead of planting a lot of different items as I have in the past, I’m sticking to basics this year – beans, tomatoes, lettuce varieties and tons and tons of herbs. For some reason this year has felt like a lot to me, and I’ve been wanting to simplify everything this season, including what I’m growing in the garden. Additionally, most people seem to want the basics at our farm store and I’m happy to oblige them as we expand out flower farming this season.

Keeping track of the plants

However, growing the basics leads me to growing a lot of different varieties of lettuces, tomatoes, beans and herbs. To keep track of it all, and the different types, I’ve made these DIY plant markers for garden beds.

I love having various types of DIY plant markers for garden beds, like these DIY plant markers {HERE} with my garlic tips. But I especially love these ones because when we are in the heat of the season and the garden becomes jungle-like, these will still be easy to find.

Before planting, amend the soil for the best harvest

I believe it’s important to amend the soil each season you’re going to be planting in a bed. It helps to feed the plants throughout the growing season and continues to support the soil build in your beds. I usually amend the beds with a mix of compost and new, organic soil. I’ve used everything from mushroom compost to dairy doo in the past. I have to say, the dairy doo seems to spur on growth the fastest

First I laid down cardboard as an early season weed preventative. You can read about that process {HERE}.

Next, I laid down my DIY seed tape with my lettuce seeds and carrot seeds.

Then I covered the seed tape with another layer of soil mix.

It took just about a week for my little lettuces to start poking through. And I even had some carrots sprouting! Something I’ve never been able to get to take root since we moved to the farm.

Supplies to make the DIY plant markers for garden beds

Once everything was in the ground, I decided I wanted to make DIY plant markers for garden beds because I wanted to be able to keep track of my varieties. I’ve always wanted to try making clay plant markers so this provided the perfect opportunity for doing so.

There’s just a few simple supplies you need:

• Polymer Clay, which you can find {HERE}
• A set of small alphabet stamps. I use this set {HERE}, but these leather stamps {HERE} might work too, and be smaller to get in those long variety names.
• A rolling pin
• Parchment paper
• 18-inch single stem plant stakes {HERE}
• Circular cookie cutters. I have these ones {HERE}.
• A baking sheet
• A weather-proof sealer. You can use a Mod Podge like this one {HERE} or you can use a spray like this one {HERE}.

Making the DIY plant markers

To make the DIY plant markers for garden beds all you need to do is roll the polymer clay between two pieces of parchment paper until it’s about ¼ an inch thick. I use two pieces so I won’t get the clay on the rolling pin.

Then use the cookie cutters to cut it into a circle. Remove the excess dough from the outside and remove the cookie cutter before stamping.

When stamped, you want to bake the polymer clay according to package directions. For me this was 200 degrees for about 10 minutes. This will help to harden the clay for the DIY plant markers for the garden bed.

Once the DIY plant markers have cooled, spray or paint them with a sealer and let that dry 24 hours.

Lastly, Kevin used a vice and turned the heads of the plant stakes so the markers would hang nicely. You can do this or you can use the stakes as is.

Then they’re ready to go!

Tips for making the clay DIY plant markers

• Don’t worry about getting the perfect thickness all the way around with the polymer clay. The variation among each DIY plant marker for garden beds will be part of the charm. These are handmade so perfection may vary. 🙂
• Begin stamping at the left most edge of the clay circle. I found some of the words, especially some of my varieties, were very long. If I were to make these again, I might use a variety of circle sizes. This size and the larger size.
• Don’t press the stamps too hard. The clay takes the stamps really well so no need to use too much force.
• If you don’t end up liking the way one of the markers looks after stamping, re-roll the clay and redo it. You have a chance to fix whatever it is before you bake them.

Looking for more gardening tips?

Check out these posts if you’re looking to make this year’s garden the most successful it can be!

• Tips for growing tomatoes {HERE}
• Tips for growing Peas {HERE}
• How to make out DIY garden beds (for not a lot of money!) {HERE}
• DIY Seed Tape from toilet paper {HERE}
• Companion Planting: Flowers and Herbs that help repel bugs {HERE}

Thank you all so much for following along today! I hope that you love these DIY plant markers for garden beds. You can find full, printable instructions below.

Clay DIY plant markers for garden beds

These clay DIY plant markers for garden beds are easy to make and a darling addition to any raised garden beds or indoor plants. Follow the steps below to make them.

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Keyword: clay DIY plant markers, DIY plant markers, plant marker DIY, plant markers for garden beds

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Servings: 10 plant markers

Author: Rachel

Equipment

• Rolling Pin
• Parchment paper
• Baking sheet
• Butter knife for cutting the clay
• Round cookie cutters
• Plant stakes
• Straw or bamboo skewer for making the hole

Ingredients

• 1 lb polymer clay, white
• ABC stamp letters
• Weather-proof sealer

Instructions

• Cut polymer clay into pieces using a butter knife to make it more workable Roll the polymer clay between two pieces of parchment paper until it’sa bout ¼ an inch thick. I use two pieces so I won’t get the clay on the rolling pin.
• Roll the polymer clay between two pieces of parchment paper until it’s about ¼ an inch thick. I use two pieces so I won’t get the clay on the rolling pin.
• Use the cookie cutters to cut it into a circle. Remove the excess dough from the outside and remove the cookie cutter before stamping.
• Stamp beginning over on the far left side to make sure you can fit the whole word.
• When stamped, bake the polymer clay according to package directions. This will help to harden the clay.
• Once the DIY plant markers have cooled, spray or paint them with a sealer and let that dry 24 hours.
• Turn the heads of the plant stakes so the markers would hang nicely and then hang and add to the beds.