I LOVE Botanical Interests Seed Packets. They are little works of art, and throwing them away seems like a HUGE waste. Laminating them and using them as garden markers gives them a second life, turns your garden into an art gallery, and best of all, preserves any information about the plant that you might forget over the course of the growing season.
To make laminated seed packet garden markers, you’ll need:
- Empty seed packets
- A laminator and lamination sheets
- Sticks {BBQ Skewers work great}
- Tape or glue
Directions
Trim the flap that you pulled to open the seed packets off, so that you will have a nice flat seed packet to work with.
Place the packets into the lamination sleeve, per the laminators instructions. Laminate, and then trim around the seed packets. Don’t trim right up against the seed packets, leave about a 1/8″ bit of lamination all the way around to ensure it will remain water tight.
Once you have cut all of your seed packets out, glue or tape the skewer stick to the back of the packet. Voila, instant garden markers.
lilton says
Oh how timely! My son is doing a 4-H demonstration on plant markers made with used canning lids and plastic forks [paint the lid, write on it with a permanent marker, and use the plastic fork tines to hold the marker, with the fork handle in the ground]. We had planned to use skewers until I found the fork option online; the skewers hold the lid better, but the forks emphasize recycling and are much more child-friendly than the permanent glue or glue gun he would have had to use with the skewers to make them waterproof.
I agree that seed packets are works of art, though. If Santa ever brings me a laminator, I’ll definitely try this method!
Randi says
For those who don’t own a laminator (or know a teacher who does) Kinko’s and places like that have laminators you can pay to use or they will laminate the item for you. I think you pay by the inch.
Mavis says
Thanks for sharing! Helpful info when making these cute little markers.
Linda True Norman says
You don’t Need A laminator machine – buy laminating sheets – you get 50 heavyweight clear page in a package. Peal off sheet and press on whatever you want laminated – seals on contact. Put one on the front AND back – cut to size you want. JM Company Clear – Item #43150 for pack of 50 sheets.
Use for anything you carry and want to prevent “dog ears.”
Linda True Norman says
You don’t Need A laminator machine – buy laminating sheets – you get 50 heavyweight clear pages in a package. Peal off sheet and press on whatever you want laminated – seals on contact. Put one on the front AND back – cut to size you want. JM Company Clear – Item #43150 for pack of 50 sheets.
Use for anything you carry and want to prevent “dog ears.”