This is not the easiest way to mark your seedlings. It’s not the most gorgeous. But it’s free, lasts indefinitely and it’s kinda fun. Besides, I gotta keep up my aluminum can skilz.
Supplies & Equipment:
Aluminum Drink Cans
Cheap scissors
Dried up ball point pen
Straight edge (for the straight plant markers)
Impressionable work surface, like the cork back of a place mat or coaster, mouse pad, etc.
1. Cut off the top and bottom of an aluminum can. Cut down one side so you have a rectangle of aluminum.
2. Work on the cork or similar surface (Yep, set that puppy right on the heating element in the bottom of the oven. Don’t remember why. Nice scorch mark, though.) Using your straight edge (emory board seen here), square up one short edge and trim it off. With your dud of a ball point pen, scribe cutting lines for the markers to your desired dimensions, here about 3/4 in. wide.
3. On a sheet of paper you can see through, ordinary notebook paper works fine, write the name of the plant you want to mark. Turn the paper over and trace it, backwards. I had a teacher in high school who could write backwards, in cursive, with BOTH HANDS– SIMULTANEOUSLY. I can barely do it this way. On the back of the aluminum, use the backwards lettering as a guide to scribe the name with the pen. Make additional decoration, etc., if you like.
This is how it will look on the right side now. (You don’t have to outline the shape like I did in this photo–I was just trying something out):
4. With the ballpoint (here is where you really need it to be inkless), outline the lettering on the right side to make it pop out.
6. Make as many as you want and cut them out. Trim one end to make a point for pushing the marker into the soil. Round the top end off with the scissors, too. Lightly sand edges with fine sandpaper. If they aren’t flat enough, a rolling pin will help straighten them out.
You can make them any shape you can think of besides the typical “stake”:
Soda can aluminum is relatively soft. It is not the scary stuff of yesteryear. However, use normal caution when working with it. I don’t recommend this as a project for small kiddies. Don’t slide your skin along the edges or you will get a monster “paper cut” type injury. Wear gloves to be safe. Carefully sand off any burrs that might be created while scissoring. If you make the pointy end somewhat blunted it will still go into the soil easily and will make the end product friendlier. I kinda like the soda can graphics on the back side, but it can be sanded off if you prefer.
If you are not feeling up to aluminum can cutting–and I understand completely, a lovely reader sent in her way of using old mini-blind slats, cut into stake form, and labeled with a Sharpie marker. Easy, cheap, and a great way to recycle. (And a much better way to do a lot at a time). Thanks, Nicole N.!
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
Unless you are very handy and adept to working with metal, I think it is foolish to mess with metal – the cost of cutting yourself and perhaps a visit to the doctor is not worth the saving of making the labels!
What good ideas! reuse what you have a lot of or will never use again. Both ideas are good.
This is a wonderful idea. Thank you
Yep, don’t hurt yourself.
Thanks. I like your name! Are you named after someone special?
I need to make some for my new blueberry bushes before the writing washes off the nursery tags. I didn’t for my old ones and now I don’t know the name of the really good one.
I like the idea of re-using something however…. This is just like running your fingers across a chalkboard to talk about…. I cringe to think of small animals (or large ones for that matter) slicing themselves on these as they pass by a plant.
Just a *thot*. :~}
Great idea! It is easy to “nickle and dime” your budget into the red buying things you “need” that are ready made. Since I have cans and do not have used mini blinds I will use what I have. Yes working with metal can be dangerous. So can cooking but that does not mean one should avoid it. It is just another life skill to learn.
Mother of Blessings–I like your style. Something tells me you will never have blood pressure problems . . .
Raeann–No doubt. Best not to try it if you feel the slightest bit uncomfortable about it.
Kedi, I would agree that a person might have problems if they weren’t careful. But how do you get adept at working with metal if you don’t try things like this?
I use recycled miniblinds, but Sharpie marks fade. I find using a china marker/grease pencil to be more lasting.
Very smart. Have to get a grease pencil.
Fantastic idea!
Thank you Isabel!
I love these plant markers and what a great way to recycle!
Thanks, Janice!
I was thinking about the whole “getting cut” issue, and couldn’t you build in a bit of extra space on the sides, then fold them over? That would give you a non-cutting edge.
be careful with the mini blind slats,most come from china. they are made with lead in the plastic, to help them to stand up to the sun.
Right, good point. Thanks. The aluminum ones are okay.
Love this idea. I work with aluminum cans and have never cut myself on the edges. They are not as sharp as most ppl think.
Thank you, kc. Yep, I think people are thinking more along the lines of tin cans while can aluminum is pretty flimsy.
Super idea! I work with used coke cans all the time, have never been hurt, not even nicked. Not nearly as bad as people are worrying about. I will have to try this soon!
Thanks, Dawn. What do you do with your cans?
Hey TL!
I thought I would share.
I thought this was a great idea, and now that I have my own garden, I couldn’t wait to try it out. After reading the concerns about animals cutting themselves, I switched up the pattern to protect my dogs. Instead of the above design, I cut the can into rectangles, folded them in half short ways, and then folded over the edges so that the 3 sharp edges are folded under, and the 4th edge is the fold. It ends up making a nice little square. (Does that make sense?) I used a 1-hole-punch to punch a hole in one of the corners, so I can tie them to the cages.
Eugenia–Good idea! I wish I could see them.
Wow, this is a great idea. I got an empty coke can, stabbed it (carefully) with the kitchen shears to make a beginning opening, cut the botton and top off, cut a square piece out, folded it twice to make two smooth long edges, and wrote on it with an old ballpoint pen. I could have made it a lot neater but I was in a hurry to see if it would work! You do have to be careful handling the can while you are cutting it up, but it’s certainly manageable. Thanks!
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