Easy-Make Plant Markers

I had a little extra time today, so in preparation for spring planting, I made some little wooden markers. I will write on them what is planted and the date planted to help me keep track of all of the vegetables. Once they get big, it is easy to recognize them all, but when they are small I have mistook them for weeds if I forget what I'm looking for.

You might ask, "Can't you get those little plastic ones for 5 cents each?" I'll answer, "Yes, but I didn't make them, did I?" This was definitely a project more for fun than for practical sense.  

So, all you need is a handyman, a table or chop saw, and a belt sander. (optional tools are a scroll saw, band saw and wood burning kit)

I had some scrap wood around about 3/4" by 4" by about 2' long, so I cut it down into a bunch of 3/4" X 1/2" X 4" rectangles. Then I used the saw to make one end tapered so that it will go into the ground easier. Last of all I sanded all of the edges smooth so there won't be any splinters, etc. I didn't mark them yet, but it will be easy with a sharpie or wood burning kit. Or if I feel like a fun mess, Lucy and I will paint them with stencils come spring time.

If you are fortunate enough to have a lathe and know how to use it this would be a very easy and rather fun job, however I am currently lathe-less...

scrap wood ready to get cut into rectangles

Rectangles ready for shaping

Markers shaped and ready for sanding

Sanded and ready for labels

Examples of marking. Try not to notice the bad penmanship. My teachers did try.

Also, another blogger, Julie at Budding and Blooming, mentioned the below article from birds and blooms. It is another way to make nice plant markers that I will try later. I think they are nicer than mine, but I didn't have any copper so I used what I had.
http://www.birdsandblooms.com/Backyard-Projects/Garden-Crafts/Classic-Plant-Markers