Feature Fridays break...instead how about some garden fun and update to DIY Plant Markers!

I have been trying all week to get this blog post up!  So, I am taking a little break from my Feature Fridays to share this post.  Maybe not quite as exciting, but it is good to mix it up sometimes, right?

I am getting pretty excited about my little garden this year.  We have started with new, raised beds using cinder blocks.  I have one that is always shaded by a big pine tree, so that one is going to be the greens bed.  We have planted some yummy early greens in that bed and they are peeking their little heads up now!

And in the back there....that is my update to my shrink-dink (shrink plastic) plant markers!  I am so excited!  You may recall a post I had done before with a tutorial on making shrink plastic plant markers and attaching them to spoons?  Well, they were fun, but pretty basic.  I have had a lot of fun with new versions this year!  One of my friends helped me.  I wanted ones that even told the name of the seeds I was using.  I have to say, I am pretty proud of us. Hehe.  Check these out!

Each one is different and a lot of fun....arugula.... 

Cartouche style spinach....

Some Flashy Butter Oak Lettuce....

Mild Mesclun Mix....

London Springs Lettuce Mix...

This one is pretty cute  - see the little 'p's in there?  Because they are Sugar Snap Peas! hehe

And Oregon Sugar Snap Peas!

We made them a little small, so if you are making your own, err on too large.  They shrink a lot!  I would start with something at least 4-5 inches wide and a proportional height.

Finally, just for a giggle...look at this silly chicken.

I kept wondering how they were hopping the fence.....

Happy Friday!

Ash

Super easy DIY Plant Markers

So I read an idea out of a cute little garden book recently called Apartment Gardening that I just loved and had to try.  They mentioned taking Shrinky Dinks (remember those!?) and making simple little plant markers.  I liked the clean look of just black on the white plastic.

First, I drew on a little design the width of the plastic and about 2 inches tall.  You need to write your labels on backward on the dull side, so you have it on the shiny side when you are all said and done.  

Then, put it in your oven at 225 degrees or so (I can't actually remember...so if you have instructions, check those. ;)  And then you have these cute little signs!

I am gluing mine to second-hand silverware and will have them in my happy garden soon!

As I mentioned, I liked to look of the plain black and white, but you can go crazy with color and design in you like!  Just remember to use permanent markers!

Ash

UPDATE!  I recently experimented some more and had fun creating some even more personalized shrink plastic markers.  Check that post out here!