DIY Plastic Plant Labels and Markers

It’s the time of the year to start seeds indoors.  So it’s the time of the year I make plastic plant labels.  DIY plant markers can be made by recycling items you already have in your home.  

Our tutorial today is on how to make plant identification markers with plastic milk or water jugs.

How to Make Your Own Plastic Plant markers for labeling plants

Labeling plants is important! When starting seeds, it's necessary to know what is sprouting, especially if you plant multiple varieties of the same plant.  For instance, young seedlings look-alike, i.e., varieties of tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, spinach, flowers, so it is important to differentiate with plant identification markers. 

Although store brought markers are fine, they cost money.  And when starting plants from seeds indoors under grow lights with a plastic dome, I have found the store-bought markers too large.  

Or what do you do if you are in the middle of planting and run out of plastic plant labels?  Driving to the local nursery or hardware store to purchase more. What a waste of time!

The answer is to do what I do.  Make your own free plant labels.  

If you are looking for gardening and foraging ideas, head over to our Sustainable Gardening and Foraging page. 

Watch this video or keeping reading this post for a step-by-step photo tutorial on how to repurpose leftover milk and water jugs into plant labels to properly label your seed trays and pots.

Why Do you Need Plant and Garden Labels?

• To organize seed starting
• Keep track of seedling types and varieties
• Learn to identify plants
• An educational tool for children to learn plants
• Share plants with others
• Grow plants someone else will harvest
• Know where perennials are planted 

how to make free seedling labels with milk jugs

WHAT YOU NEED:

• Empty Plastic Milk or Water Jugs
• Scissors or Shears
• Craft Knife or Box Cutter
• Permanent Marker

INSTRUCTIONS for DIY plant labels:

STEP 1: prepare jug

Wash out the plastic bottle.  If possible, remove the labels.

STEP 2: CUTTING

The flat side sections of the jug will to used to make the plant markers. So you need to cut the top and bottom off the jug.

With a craft knife or box cutter, cut a small slit where you want to cut.  

Then with a scissor cut off the top and bottom of the jug. You will have a large plastic tube shape.

Don't throw the bottom away.  It can be used as a water catcher for small potted plants.  

STEP 3: cut strips

Cut down one side of the tube.  Then from the flat sections, simple cut strips as wide and as long as you need. 

If you want a stake end, snip one end into a point.

STEP 4: label

The plastic is easy to write on with a marker.  Simply, write the plant’s name on the tag with a permanent marker. 

Plastic jars have a non-porous surface.  So, even when using a permanent marker, the writing may fade with time and weather but they should definitely last one gardening season.

STEP 5: label each pot and tray

Trust me, you will never remember what you planted where.  So pop a homemade label into each pot and tray.

When you transplant the seedlings outside, use the same tag.  It should last the season but it may fade.  By the time it fades, you should be able to identify the plant type and the variety.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial on how to make plant identification labels.

As always, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m happy to help or clarify anything.

WHAT ELSE CAN BE MADE FOR YOUR GARDEN WITH MILK JUGS?

• Watering jug or can
• Soil/Compost scoop
• Mini greenhouse
• Simple cloche
• Bird Feeder
• Plant saucer
• Garden shovel
• Store DIY liquid fertilizer
• Water-filled jugs to hold down row covers
• As planters
• Seed starting container
• DIY irrigation system
• Quick funnel

Have a wonderful Spring!

Annette

a few popular gardening tutorials

• Drilling Hole In Ceramic Pots
• PVC Planter
• Learn to Mulch using Newspaper to prevent weeds.
• Tying Up Tomatoes - Learn how to tie up tomato plants using old bedsheets.
• Mini Garden Hoop Tunnel Tutorial