Carved wooden plant markers

When I’m cooking dinner I often ask Scott to nip out to the back garden and grab a handful of fresh herbs for me. To help him remember what’s what I made a few wooden plant markers. They are super simple, rustic and natural!

What you need

• Twigs (0.5-1cm thick)
• Craft knife
• Fine permanent marker pen

How to make wooden plant markers

1. Collect sticks

I normally collect mine from the lanes where I live. You want sticks that are fairly straight so you can carve the top and write on them easily.

2. Snaps sticks to length

Snap your sticks into the required length – bear in mind you’ll poke 2-3 cm into the ground. Most of mine are around 15cm tall but you can make them taller or shorter if you wish.

3. Carve an area to write on

Decide which end you want to use for the top of the marker. Use a craft knife to shave off the bark and a few thin layers of wood. If your knife is sharp it will be easy. Keep shaving wood off until you have a nice flat surface to write on. Always slice away from yourself! I don’t want anyone making extra holes in themselves!

4. Carve a point

Carve a point on the other end to poke into the ground. This step is optional but makes it easier for the marker to get through the soil, especially if it’s a bit compacted.

5. Write on your plant marker

Using a permanent marker pen, write on the flat area you carved in step 3.

6. Plant your markers!

Use the markers for your herb garden, to remind you what you’ve planted where and for pots of seedlings. If you make a mistake or want to change the name on the marker just shave off the bark you’ve written on. Easy.

I made a couple last year and they still look good enough to reuse. They’re better than plastic ones in my opinion because they are a bit more discreet. Plus it doesn’t matter if you forget to take them up at the end of the growing year because they are biodegradable.

If you make any of these markers, leave a comment below and let me know what you think!