Garden Markers

I found this project to be soooo useful!  When I started my herb garden, I knew I had to mark which herbs were which.  I started out with basic popsicle sticks.  I wrote the names of each herb on the popsicle stick and stuck it in the ground.  In less than a week, the popsicle stick was as black as the sharpie marker lettering. By the time the summer was over, the popsicle stick was eaten alive by the soil.  I also tried another project:  I used the actual picture on the seed packet to make a marker.  I got some plastic plant markers, glued the seed packet to it and cut an outline of the seed packet around the plastic plant marker.  This lasted about 2 weeks.  The seed packet started to fade and peel off.  I have been looking for the perfect marker, copper markers, plastic and stainless steel.  One day I picked up a copy of a gardening magazine and came across this wonderful idea to use rocks as garden markers.  I started this project by going to my favorite masonry/stone shop and asked for smooth rocks.  They were so inexpensive, costing about .20 each.  I bought some paint markers in different colors at Walmart’s arts and crafts section and started adding the names of each of my plants.  I coated it with clear nail polish, let it dry and put it outdoors.  I love making these markers because they are great conversation pieces, they are very durable and they help others learn the names of different flowers (especially my BF who is absolutely clueless in the world of flowers).  I still have a lot to go, but I just like the fact that I found a great, inexpensive solution to a big problem!