A step-by-step tutorial on how to level up your garden markers. No one likes the paper markers that come in the plants and get dirty after the first time it rains. Read on to learn how to DIY flower garden, plant, veggie and herb markers out of up-cycled wine corks. I love a tutorial that helps reduce, re-use and recycle, I hope you do too!
Inspired by: Cambria Estate Winery
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I scoured Pinterest for ideas to creatively mark my garden (see my board for more inspo here). I loved the ideas above, especially the homemade clay markers in the middle. However, after the cost of clay to make 16 vegetable and herb markers and rubber letter stamps, the project was going to cost upwards of $60. I chose a free project instead with items I already had on hand around the house.
SUPPLIES
-Wine corks
-Black Sharpie
-Hammer
– Small Finishing Nail
STEP 1: Gather your supplies
I have a hard time throwing away things (I’m an avid up-cycler), so I “collect” wine corks. AKA I keep them and hope to find ways to use them later. In the past I’ve made wine cork coasters and enjoy to display them around the house here and there. You probably have the rest of the supplies listed above laying around the house, but if not purchase them.
STEP 2: Label the corks
Use the black Sharpie to write the name of your flowers, veggies and herbs on the blank side of the corks.
STEP 3: Hammer a nail into the base of the cork
I used a small finishing nail to hammer into the bottom of the cork so that the written label is facing straight out. I found it easier to place the skewer after I had made a defined hole with my small nail.
STEP 4: Place the skewer
After you have removed your nail, hammer your skewer pointy side first into the hole you have created. Hold the skewer straight and hammer gently until it is secured inside the cork.
STEP 5: Stick in your garden
Place the skewers into your dirt to mark your growing goodies! You can stick the skewers in as deep as you prefer, just make sure to stick them in far enough to weather wind and rain.
How’s that for an easy 5 step project? Enjoy your DIY garden markers out of up-cycled wine corks! You could also spray paint the sticks if you wanted to add some color, or let them blend in and spray paint them black if you prefer.
Want to read more about gardening? Follow along with me as I document our first garden here. I have a number of raised beds where I have planted herbs and vegetables in Memphis, TN. Read the post here, or follow along on Instagram! While you’re at it, save the posts to Pinterest as well so you can easily find them later.
