Homemade Affordable Garden Markers

Well, its official we have 6 new baby chicks!  Ombre is being a great mother and seems very happy.

Its been quite a while since I posted; I've been very busy with garden prep, starting seeds, the beginning of the farmer's market and the animals.

Today, I'd like to share with you an easy and affordable way to make your own garden markers.

I started doing this last summer and if you can easily identify your plants you can make it as simple as this...

Materials Needed:

-package bamboo skewers {usually you can get a pack of 50 or 100 for $1-$2}

-outdoor spray paint {I prefer a bright color so they are easy to see and don't blend in with the plants}

Process:

1. Stick the pointed ends of the skewers into the ground, just enough so they stand up.  

{I stuck mine in an area by our barn where I knew the paint on the rocks and grass wouldn't bother me until it started to wear off.  You could also stick them in some sand or lay them out on a large piece of paper or cardboard, but you would have to turn them after one side is dry.}

2. Use the spray paint to paint skewers from all sides.

3. Allow to dry completely, the drying time will depend on the current humidity.

If you are planting a large variety of items and/or are not sure you will be able to identify the plants as they grow you can take one extra step...

Extra Materials Needed:

-used canning lids, plastic container lids or shapes cut from the sides of a plastic milk or juice jug

-strong, permanent glue {I used E9000, I got mine from Hobby Lobby}

Process:

Just glue the lids to the top end of the bamboo skewers before painting.  Allow them to dry completely.

Someone spilled my garden markers,
but you get the idea of what they look like; right?

Then, use a permanent marker or paint marker to write the information on the plant marker.

 Enjoy!

Swingset Trellis

For a long time I have wanted to grow gourds; specifically gourds that I could use for something after the drying process.  So, last year I bought and started a packet of Bird House Gourds.

I didn't have a great yeild in the plants that survived the weather and the chickens periodically finding them on the porch.  But I did end up with enough plants to do something with.

And the next thing I had to decide was how and where was I going to grow them where they could climb and thrive all summer.

This year I bought a packet of Bushel Gourds from Everwilde Farms.  I'm sure you could use any climbing plant on a trellis like this... think green pole beans, other beans, peas, cucumbers, some squashes, climbing flowers, etc.

I love that this could be used anywher; you could do it in a small yard, or even with a smaller A frame over a pot on a porch!  Enjoy!  Use the space you have to grow your own food or other useful items!

Materials Needed:
-1 to 2 inch screws {I just used some sheetrock screws}
-aluminum wire {I don't know the gauge of the stuff I used but I would compare it to the size of angel hair pasta.}
-drill with a bit that fits the screws you're using
-gourd or other climbing plants
-wooden swingset or other wood open A frame

Process:
1. Drill screws into the ouside of the swingset frame, about 1 1/2 inch from the inside of the frame.  But DO NOT drill them all the way in; leave just enough space between the screw head and the wood to wrap the wire.

I spaced the screws approximately 6 inches apart;
although I ended up only using everyother one,
so I could have screwed them in about every 12 inches.

2. Twist the starting end of the wire to one of the bottom screws; twist well.

3. Zig-zag the wire back and forth from screw to screw, pulling a tight as you can at each screw, until you reach the top.  
*You want them to be taut, so they'll hold up the climbers. 

4. Once you reach the top wrap and twist the wire to secure it.  
{I was planning to zig-zag back down to the bottom, but I ran out of wire and the single zig-zag worked perfectly.} 

This is what my finished swingset trellis looked like...

5. Now take some time to plant the climbing plants.  Place them evenly.  I ended up with 5 plants total.

Now if you have chickens or other animals that love fresh dirt you may want to protect the plants in some way.  

My chickens liked to dig their dirt baths right next to the plants; I placed some larger rocks on either side of the stems of the plants and that solved it.

Now, sit back and relax and watch your plants grow.  

TIP: You may have to occasionally train them to the wire in the begining.  Once they are going well, they'll do it on their own.

As the summer goes on the plants grow and grow!

And eventually the beautiful flowers begin to turn into georgous gourds...

At the end of the summer some of the lower leaves may begin to brown and fall off, because they are shaded more; but thats fine since the plants are now getting all of their sunlight from the outside and top.

The kids loved swinging on the swing set and watching the gourds grow!

Don't worry about the kids swinging and playing on the swingset; the plants vines should be strong enough to withstand the movement from the wind and weather.

Our gourd trellis ended up being a great place for shade.  Almost like a fort!  

Enjoy and let me know if you try this and what you think!