Learn to make cute DIY garden stakes using mason jar lids. Grab your Outdoor Mod Podge and my free printable . . . you’ll have new markers in minutes!
Skills Required: Beginner. It helps to have some experience with regular Mod Podge before trying the Outdoor formula (it’s thicker).
I have a jar of Mod Podge Outdoor that has been calling my name! You see, when spring or summer is right around the corner, I love making projects to celebrate.
Warmer weather is here, and one of the things that means to me is gardening. This year, I’m going to create a mini garden near my condo patio, and of course, I need tags to label the various plants.
When I saw this post by The Prudent Garden, I was inspired to make some of my own garden stakes! I created a free printable so that you can join in the fun too. Here’s how I made these spring garden markers.
DIY Garden Markers
Gather These Supplies
- Printer (laserjet preferred)
- Presentation paper – 180 gsm min, or white cardstock to print on
- Garden marker lid template (Download)
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Mason jar lids – one for each marker
- Floral picks
- 2-inch circle punch
- Power punch or hole punch strong enough to make a hole in thin metal
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Print out your free garden marker printable on thick paper. Cut into strips and use the 2-inch hole punch to punch the labels of your choice right inside the lines.
Place a medium layer of Outdoor Mod Podge on the Mason jar lids using your paintbrush.
Press the garden stake labels down into the Mod Podge using your fingers. Smooth and make sure to wipe away the excess that comes out the sides. Let it dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
Give all of your labels a top coat of Mod Podge and let them dry. Then give at least two more coats. If Mod Podge leaks onto the metal section left on the Mason jar lids, that is fine – it will dry clear.
Use the power punch or hole punch to put a small hole at the top of your plant label.
TIP #1: If you don’t have a punch, you can also use a hammer and nail to make the hole! It won’t be as clean as with a punch, but it will work just fine. Just make sure to put a board under the lid before you punch the hole so that the nail has something to go in to.
The plant picks I purchased had wire already at the top so I used this to wrap through the hole several tips and attach the lid to the stick.
TIP #2: You can use small wood dowel rods and thin jewelry wire to get the same effect for your garden stakes as above!
I absolutely love my garden stakes! I’ve purchased the plants and can’t wait to get them in the ground to use as markers. They are so fun for spring!
DIY Garden Markers
Learn how to make these cute garden markers with mason jar lids and Mod Podge! I have a free printable for you, too.
Materials
- Presentation paper - 180 gsm min, or white cardstock to print on
- Garden marker lid template
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Mason jar lids – one for each marker
- Floral picks
Tools
- Printer (laserjet preferred)
- 2-inch circle punch
- Power punch or hole punch strong enough to make a hole in thin metal
- Scissors
- Paintbrush
Instructions
- Print out the printable on thick paper.
- Cut into strips and use the 2-inch hole punch to punch out.
- Place a medium layer of Outdoor Mod Podge on the mason jar lids using the paintbrush.
- Press the labels down into the Mod Podge. Smooth and wipe away the excess that comes out the sides. Let dry for 15 – 20 minutes.
- Give all of the labels a top coat of Mod Podge and let them dry. Then give at least two more coats.
- Use the power punch or hole punch to put a small hole at the top of the plant label.
- Use the wire from the top of the plant picks to attach the lid to the pick. Stick in the ground to display.
Notes
TIP: If you don’t have a punch, you can also use a hammer and nail to make the hole! It won’t be as clean as with a punch, but it will work just fine. Just make sure to put a board under the lid before you punch the hole so that the nail has something to go in to.
If you enjoyed these DIY garden markers, I’d love for you to check out these other spring/outdoor projects:
Sharon Kirts
Monday 11th of July 2016
just found your website and am blown away!
Although I have been doing different types of needlework (incl knitting and crocheting) for a few decades and have heard of Mod Podge (even have a old, old, old jar I think===LOL), I've never used it.
That is soon to change.............
Amy
Monday 11th of July 2016
Awesome Sharon! I can't wait for you to try. I'm a knitter myself . . . :D