Create durable, weather-proof labels for your garden so you always know which plant is which. You will test different methods to see which one resists the sun's fading the best!

Tools

• scissors
• permanent marker
• ruler
• hole puncher
• outdoor-rated permanent marker (1 black)

Materials

• plastic yogurt containers or plastic lids (3-4 pieces)
• wooden popsicle sticks (10 pieces)
• clear packing tape (2 meters)
• laminating pouches (3 sheets)
• cardstock paper (3 sheets)

Safety

• Adult supervision required when using scissors.
• Be careful with the edges of cut plastic as they can be sharp.
• Adult supervision required for sharp objects.
• Protect work surface. Materials may stain clothing.
• Adult supervision required for children under 8.

Steps

1. Cut your cardstock paper into small rectangles (approximately 1 inch by 3 inches) to fit your labels.
2. Write the names of your plants on the cardstock rectangles using the permanent marker.
3. Slide the cardstock labels into laminating pouches and laminate them according to the machine instructions to create a waterproof seal.
4. Cut the laminated labels out, leaving a tiny clear border around the edges.
5. To make a plastic label, cut strips of plastic from the yogurt containers (1 inch by 3 inches). Write the plant names directly on the plastic using the permanent marker.
6. To make a taped label, write the plant name on a piece of paper and cover the entire strip with clear packing tape, overlapping the edges to seal it.
7. Use a hole puncher to make a small hole at the bottom of each label.
8. Tie or glue each label to a popsicle stick to create a stake.
9. Place your labels in the garden and check them every week to see which one is fading the fastest in the sun!