For years I was terrible about marking the plants I have in my gardens. More than once, I would see something starting to grow in the spring and wonder “is that something I planted or a weed?”. Well, I’d finally had enough of the surprises. A few years ago, I vowed to myself that I would mark every plant in my garden.
Now for my dilemma: what material could I use to mark the plants, that won’t become brittle or fade in the sun? I’ve tried so many plant markers before that did not work (including those lovely pre-printed tags that come with plants).
Most of them were completely faded by spring or became so brittle they didn’t last more than a year or two. (Perhaps this is why I never bothered taking the time to mark everything before.)
The Hunt for Durable Plant Markers
So I set off on a mission to find durable plant markers that won’t fade or crumble – without breaking the bank! Well, the search wasn’t easy because I didn’t find many suggestions. What I found were mostly posts from people asking for a solution to the same problem I was looking for.
But I didn’t give up and after looooots of searching, I finally came across an idea that is cheap, easy, holds up to the elements, and recycles old junk! Vinyl mini blinds and a plain old pencil. How simple is that?
Cheap and easy DIY plant markers
The vinyl is durable and won’t become brittle or crumble. The pencil won’t smudge or wash off and most importantly, it won’t fade in the sun! Plus the plant markers are reusable, simply erase the pencil and use the plant markers over and over.
I use these easy DIY plant markers for everything, The vinyl mini blinds are super easy to cut with scissors, and you can cut them to any length that you want. I cut them long to mark the plants in the garden.
That way I can stick the markers way down in the dirt and they won’t blow or wash away. I cut them really small for marking my winter sowing and seed containers in the spring.
DIY plant markers used in seedling trays
I also use them to mark all of my houseplants, and I can cut them the perfect size for every pot! If you don’t have any old vinyl mini blinds sitting around at home, they are very easy to get for FREE! People are throwing them away all the time.
DIY plant markers used in house plants
Tips for Using Mini Blinds as Plant Markers:
- Don’t use ink to write on the plant markers, it will fade away in the sun. Even permanent marker will fade to nothing very quickly in the sun. Pencil works the best.
- Use light colored or white vinyl mini blinds. The pencil won’t show up on the dark colored ones.
- Don’t use metal mini blinds, the metal will just rust.
- Check websites like Craigslist and Freecycle to find free mini blinds. You can also find them for free at garage sales and on garbage days. Check with friends and family too.
- If you can’t find them for free, check your local second hand store for very inexpensive mini blinds.
- Visit the window coverings department at your local department store. Many of them trim vinyl mini blinds, and the trimmings just end up in the trash.
Of course, if you don’t want to make your own plant markers you can always buy some like these 6″ plant markers – they work great for marking houseplants, vegetable and annual plants. These 4″ plant markers which work great for small pots and seedlings. Or if you prefer the t-shaped plant markers, you can buy those here.
More DIY Gardening Posts
- A Cheap Alternative To Coconut Liners For Hanging Baskets & Planters
- Easy Homemade Arch Cucumber Trellis
- Natural Pest Control Remedies For Your Garden
- Building Sturdy Tomato Cages
Have you made your own a cheap and easy DIY plant markers? Please share your ideas in the comments below.
merjhlin says
What vegetables I can plant during winter? I hope you could help me.
Amy says
Hi Merjhlin,
It depends on where you live. Here in Minnesota, it's too cold to grow any vegetables in the winter. I'm guessing you must live in a warmer climate. Let me know what area you live in and I'd be happy to give you suggestions.
Amy
Remy says
Hi Amy,
I had no idea you had such a nice blog!
Glad I found you : )
Remy
Amy says
Hi Remy! Great to see you, glad you found me too. Thanks for you compliment about my blog! 🙂
LBullock says
I love your blog! Such great information. I can't wait to winter sow my seeds. I am new here so I have many old posts to read. What fun! Thank you! Lindajo
Amy says
Hi Lindajo!
Welcome to my blog! Wow, thanks for the nice things you've said about my blog. I'm so glad you like it! Please don't hesitate to ask me questions you may have about winter sowing or anything else.
Amy
DON OCONNELL says
EXCELLENT IDEA
Amy Andrychowicz says
Thanks Don! 🙂
Daiva says
I love pencil suggestion, but not so sure about using the blinds – vinyl contains lead, and I just don’t want it leaching into my soil. That said, ready made plastic markers probably also contain chemicals -I bought one set from amazon and had to throw them out -they were so stinky. I like idea of using upcycled spoons (and using metal stampers to permanently write the names), but of course they are not as versatile.
Amy Andrychowicz says
It’s so hard to find a good, durable plant tag. I’ve read that lead was only used in older vinyl mini blinds, and they stopped using it. Hopefully that’s the case, you just never know these days.
christy says
i save my 32 oz yogurt containers…the inside is usually white. using a heavy duty scissors, i cut around the top to remove the lip of the container. then i cut every 3/4″ or so down to the bottom. then around the bottom, about 3/4″ up, i cut on a slant halfway to the middle of each marker, going first one way, then the other. this makes the point and removes the marker from the bottom of the yogurt container. i like using a permanent black garden marker (not a sharpie)…the ink doesn’t fade with these and it’s easier to read than pencil. i write the name and planting date. the markers are stiff enough to penetrate the soil easily…i also use these in my seedling containers. by harvest time, i have a record of what i planted and when and transfer the info in my garden journal. a good project to do while watching tv, i have done this for about 5 years now and never run out of markers.
Amy Andrychowicz says
Great idea!
Marie says
Omgosh, what a super smart way to recycle mini-blinds! Thanks so much for sharing this idea with us at Merry Monday this week!
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by!
Jamie says
What a great idea!! Now you can reuse something that you normally would just throw away! Thank you for sharing this with us at the #HomeMattersParty
Amy Andrychowicz says
You’re welcome, thanks for stopping by!