DIY Stamped Metal Garden Markers

I was looking for a different way to mark the herbs that I put in my planter, and after coming across some inspiration, I decided to run with the idea of stamped metal.

I did some research on types of metal and found hollow welding tubes, and thought those would make the perfect garden stakes.

Materials:

Square Welding Tube (3ft. x 1/2") @ $5 each
Hack saw with metal-cutting blade @ $10
Clamps or extra set of hands
Medium Grit Sandpaper @ $2/pack
Metal Stamps in font of your choice @ $20
Hammer
Black Permanent Marker
Scrap Cloth or Paper Towel



Full tutorial and other information can be found here: http://rhodylife.blogspot.com/2013/04/garden-markers.html

Step 1: Cutting and Sanding the Welding Tubes

I used some clamps that I had to brace the welding tubes to the workbench that way they would be still when we cut them.  If you don't have any clamps, another pair of hands helping you hold down the tubes will work.

Take your bow saw, with the metal-cutting blade, and cut the welding tubes to the length that you desire.  I cut mine to 8" each, giving you about 2" below soil, and 6" above, which should be perfect once the plants are grown in.  

If the blade of your hack saw made the ends of your welding tubes really rough, you can use some medium grit sandpaper to get rid of the sharp pieces, making it a little more smooth.

Step 2: Stamp the Metal Tubes

I bought a Metal Stamping kit, with 36 pieces, A-Z and 0-9, in all capital letters.  I bought this set from Hobby Lobby, and it was over near the jewelry making section.  They had a few different fonts and styles, but I liked the generic font the best.  If you do not have a Hobby Lobby nearby, you can check Michael's, Joann's, or another specialty craft store.  You can also find these kits online.

We took out the letters that we needed for the stakes, based on the herbs that I put in our planter a few weeks ago.

Next, we placed the stamp where we wanted the letter to show, and hammered it down.

When making jewelry with these stamps, they recommend that you only hammer once and make it really hard.  We hammered quite a few times, and I leaned the stamp to each side a few times to make sure that the entire letter was going to show up on the tube.  Make sure that you are absolutely positive that you have hammered hard enough for the letter to show up, that way you don't need to worry about lining the stamp back up with the imprint a second or third time.

Step 3: Color in the Letters

After hammering your letters in, you will want to go over them with a black permanent marker.  Make sure that you get the marker in all the little grooves of the letter stamps.

Let the marker sit and dry partially, then with a dry cloth, lightly wipe off the excess marker from the surface, leaving the color in the grooves of the stamped letter.

You may need to go back over some letters with the marker to make them a little darker. Repeat this step as many times as you feel necessary.

Step 4: Label Your Plants and Herbs

Once all of the letters in the name of your plant or herb have been colored in, you are ready to add the stake to your planter or your garden!

Good luck!



Full tutorial and other information can be found here: http://rhodylife.blogspot.com/2013/04/garden-markers.html