These garden markers are super easy to make, with just a few simple steps required. And they’re VERY handy in the garden, with that long handle keeping each one firmly in place while the bowl of the spoon makes a visible, easy-to-read label. But my favorite part about this project is how much room there is for creativity. Not every member of my family considers themselves artistic, but we all enjoy sitting around the table, listening to music and painting these markers for my garden. Some of the markers turn out more elaborate than others, but it doesn’t matter–if it’s got a discernible label that’s spelled more or less correctly, then it’s a success! Here’s how to make your own garden markers from upcycled spoons!
Materials
For this project, you will need:
old spoons. Thrift stores, garage sales, or your local Freecycle group are perfect places to source these. Why are there so many old spoons in the world? Look for the ones with a nice big bowl that has plenty of room to paint on. primer. You absolutely have to prime these spoons before painting on them, or the paint will chip right off again. And make sure the primer works on metal! I usually use white primer, as it’s also a versatile background color, but if you want to start with a different background color, choose a paint+primer combo. I really like green as a background color to keep my garden markers from standing out. paints. A variety of paints work for this project, so it’s really just your preference! My family and Girl Scout troop have long enjoyed painting lots of odds and ends, from building blocks to rocks, so I’ve had time to figure out a few favorite paints that work well on a variety of surfaces. Artist acrylics, for instance, work a LOT better than craft acrylics, as artist acrylics rarely require a second coat but craft acrylics always seem to. For detail work or writing, paint pens work wonders. Sharpie makes a good oil-based paint marker, and Posca makes good water-based paint markers in several point sizes. I like to mix and match, using brush-on paint for larger swathes of color and paint pens for details. I don’t know that I’ve ever mixed oil-based paints with acrylics, though, so I don’t know how well that combo works. sealant. Any type should work, but I prefer water-based sealants. Aerosol sealants are handy here, but bad for the environment. A liquid sealant in a nice big can, though, would allow you to simply dip the spoons in and then set them upright to dry.
Step 1: Prep and Prime the Spoons.
Regardless of where you got your spoons, wash them to remove any dirt and oils, then let them dry. Coat both sides of the spoons with primer according to the manufacturer’s instructions, then let dry for the recommended time.
Step 2: Paint!
This makes a terrific group activity if you set out all the paints and the spoons already primed. When I work with Girl Scouts, I have them arrive knowing what garden markers they want to make (for bonus points, also arrange an activity in which they can plant their own seeds in a flowerpot, so that even the kids without home gardens have something to make a garden marker for). When I make these with my family, though, I just tell them what markers to make, lol. We always need plenty of tomato markers! It’s nice to have plenty of time for this activity, especially if there’s enough time to leave the table and come back a couple of times. Paint pens dry quickly, but brush-on paint doesn’t. When you’re finished painting, let the spoons sit and dry according to the paint manufacturer’s directions.
Step 3: Seal the Spoons.
I do this outside, right on my deck, because I don’t particularly care about property value. Frankly, a few extra splashes of sealant is probably good for my deck! Whatever sealant you choose, give it at least a couple of coats, following the manufacturer’s dircections about dry time, then let the spoons sit until the sealant is fully cured. Then set them up in your garden and enjoy knowing where everything is! If you don’t want to work with metal, I think this project would also look cute when made with wooden mixing spoons. Knives also might work, if you paint the garden marker on the handles and stick the blades in the ground. If you’ve got nothing but forks, you could just paint them jaunty colors and then stick the seed packet in the tines for a label, although the packet wouldn’t last very long out in the weather. If you can think of a way to utilize spatulas, let me know!
