Use old thrift store spoons, Mod Podge and your favorite scrapbook papers to make DIY garden markers your neighbors will be jealous of. These spoon plant markers are so inexpensive and look so cute!
Skills Required: None. Even if you’ve never crafted before, these will turn out fine. You’ll be hitting spoons with a hammer (fun!), spray painting, and Mod Podging.
I’m so jealous of those of you that have fabulous outdoor gardens. Sure, I love the place I live and my patio, but I wish I had a better garden for sure. Gardening, especially weeding, relaxes me – I feel accomplished.
I believe outdoor spaces are just an extension of your indoor spaces, so naturally I like to decorate outdoors as well. I remember from my childhood that my mom used to make garden markers out of old silverware, so I decided to try it myself (well, for some of my patio plants).
She used to etch in the metal somehow, but my “skillz” aren’t that advanced, so I just decided to improvise with Mod Podge Outdoor. I thought I could make a really cool recycled craft using spoons from the thrift store.
It’s perfect for decoupage projects that need to last in the sun and rain. So what I’m saying is, these spoon plant markers will hold up for a long time. Learn how to make them below.
DIY Garden Markers
Gather These Supplies
- Thrift store spoons
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Spray paint
- Scrapbook paper and embellishments
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
- Hammer
This is a project all of your neighbors are sure to love! Go outside and hammer the spoons to flatten them (just the round end). It makes a loud pinging sound, which is pleasant. Better yet, do this at 2am.
You’re ready to spray paint – use a strong, outdoor paint and get both sides. Spray light coats until both spoons are fully covered. Let dry.
Trace your garden markers onto some scrapbook paper using a pencil.
Cut out the paper. It doesn’t have to be perfect. I cut a little bit inside the pencil line so that some of the painted spoon could show around the edge.
Decoupage the paper to the spoons and let dry. You’ll add Mod Podge to the spoon, place the paper down, and smooth. Let dry for 15-20 minutes, then add a top coat of Mod Podge.
You don’t need to coat the entire spoon, assuming you used a solid outdoor spray paint.
Add any embellishments you like – adhesive letters in my case – and then paint a layer of Mod Podge Outdoor over the top. Give it several coats so it’s really durable! Let dry for 24 hours before putting outside.
You’ll be surprised at how these delightful spoon garden markers will look and how they will hold up. Maybe it’s just me, but I think these are the best looking DIY plant markers on the block.
I can I say, all I paid for was the spoons. The rest of the supplies were procured from stash diving. Whee!! Get the printable how to for this spring craft below.
Spoon Garden Markers
Learn how to make plant markers from spoons! This is such an expensive and easy garden craft.
Materials
- Thrift store spoons
- Mod Podge Outdoor
- Spray paint
- Scrapbook paper
- Stickers
Tools
- Scissors
- Pencil
- Paintbrush
- Hammer
Instructions
- Place the spoons on a safe surface (like asphalt) and bang on the round end with a hammer until flat.
- Let the spoons out and spray with outdoor spray paint. Spray light coats until both sides are covered. Let dry.
- Trace your garden markers onto some scrapbook paper.
- Cut out the paper to fit.
- Decoupage the paper to the spoons with Outdoor Mod Podge and let dry.
- Add embellishments and then coat with more Mod Podge. Give 2-3 coats and let dry.
- Let dry for 24 hours before putting outside.
If you enjoyed this spring idea, I’d love for you to check out these other related crafts:
Sarah
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
The spoons would be great to identify your plants with. I never keep the Information that come with them. My idea mark spoons " romas, beefsteak, big boys.
Amy
Wednesday 26th of January 2022
Good idea!!