DIY Hand Stamped Garden Markers

Create hand stamped garden markers for plant identification or to add a little garden whimsy!

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Spring seems to have finally arrived here in North Carolina and I’ve been spending my free time outdoors, doing some garden clean up and planting. I ran across some copper garden stakes recently that I thought would come in handy for plant identification and to add a little garden whimsy as a fun DIY!

I found the copper garden stakes at Target, but you can find them at garden centers and online.

 I purchased a metal letter punch set several years ago with the intention of making some stamped spoon markers. The stamped spoons turned out to be way harder than I imagined, requiring a lot of hand strength, not to mention ear protection! After many failed attempts and ruining several spoons I decided it was much easier to purchase the stamped spoons from Etsy. ;)

My metal stamp punch set is a 3 mm (1/8 inch) size and ideal for stamping the copper garden markers. You can find 3 mm letter punch sets on Amazon, and there are  different fonts to choose from and sets with numbers that weren’t available when I purchased mine.

The copper banner on the garden markers is soft and only needs a few strikes with a small hammer to make a letter impression, unlike the surface of a metal spoon. There is a bit of a learning curve, but this a fun project that is addictive! You can make markers for your veggie garden, flowers, herbs, or personalize them for gifts.

I made a couple of markers to identify some plants like Silver Anouk Lavender that I can never recall the name of.  I have several plants coming up that I’m waiting to identify as they mature. For the moment, I’m referring to them as  ‘Plantus Unknownus’ ;)

 I used a scrap piece of wood as a base to lay the copper plant marker on to punch the letters. Since the copper is soft, you want a surface that is smooth and without any texture that might transfer to your marker. Use a piece of masking tape to help you keep the letters in a straight line. I marked the center of the tape and worked my way out from the center. You want to strike a balance (pun intended ;) between hitting hard enough to leave the impression of your letter, but not so hard that you punch a hole through the copper. It will also depend on the weight of your hammer. I found that 4 strikes per letter worked for me.

Use a Sharpie to fill in your lettering to make it more visible if desired.

(Fine was too big for my letters, I needed an extra fine Sharpie.)

Never Enough Thyme

Stop and Smell the Rosemary

So Many Seeds So Little Yard

The copper garden markers will age and acquire a pretty patina and verdigris over time.

I hope spring has arrived in your neck of the woods and you’re surviving the pollen!

Keep Calm and Garden On ♥

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Sharing with:  Metamorphosis Monday