With autumn officially arriving next month, here’s a unique (and inexpensive) idea on how to upcycle wooden spoons into garden markers.
Having invested in the garden this summer (well, more from VIP's perspective than mine), it's great to be able to come up with a nice little project for encouraging kids to grow their own fruit and veg – and turn it into something of an educational experience.
Well you know, all this time off school and anything to help them grow the grey matter right?!So here it is in step-by-step – how to upcycle wooden spoons:
Step 1:
Buy some plain, inexpensive wooden spoons. I picked mine up for £2.49 from B&M, but you'll find them in most hardware shops or places like Poundland etc..
Step 2:
Paint the spoons (and most of the handle) in different colours, propping each in a glass so that it dries without getting paint everywhere.
A top tip is to use pale colours if you can. When dry, give them a second coat of colour.
Step 3:
Decide on what you’d like to grow (see the guide at the bottom for what to plant in August), and using a sharpie pen, write the name of the fruit or vegetable on the spoon
Step 4:
Using oil paint if possible, paint a picture of the fruit or vegetable on the spoon and leave until dry.
If you haven’t got a steady hand, you can always print out pictures and glue them to the spoon instead.
Step 5:
Give the spoons two coats of varnish to protect them from the elements.
A top tip is to use spray varnish, but make sure the room is well ventilated if using spray – or better still, do it outdoors if the weather isn't too windy!
And hey presto! It's as simple as that! Here's a few ideas for what to start planting in late summer which will be ripe for the picking in a few months from now…
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Carrots
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Cauliflower
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Broccoli
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Spinach
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Radishes
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Kale
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Turnips
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Leaf salad
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Broad beans
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Asparagus
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Peas
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Garlic
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Onions, spring onions and shallots
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Strawberries
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You might also like…
- Garden Shack Upcycle: From Bike Shed to Garden Bar
- Mini Upcycling Project With Frenchic Paint
- Plant Pot Door Numbers: Here's How!
22 comments
This is such a fantastic idea! They look great too, bringing more colour to gardens too! Will tell my dad as he has a vegetable patch
That’s very kind thanks – it’s nice to be able to brighten up the garden in this unique way isn’t it?
I love this!! not seen this before and think it is well creative and a fun way to label the garden xx
Thanks Melanie – Pinterest and home interest mags are great for a bit of inspiration – and usually spark off your own ideas too. I’m now into stone art/decoupage!
Aww these are adorable and a great craft idea for the children to complete over the summer. We’re looking to add more flowers etc to the garden and these will make great additions.
That’s great to hear Sarah – I’m going to get my kids involved in the painting of some more I think. Call me crazy, but we’ve had a few people comment on how nice they are and I’m thinking they’d make nice gifts for the garden for people’s birthdays and even Xmas.
I love this idea. We are growing strawberries and tomatoes so will be doing this with the kids
Ah that’s lovely to hear Kara, thanks! I’m really glad I’ve inspired you to give this a go! x
These are so cute and a nice way to identify exactly what you’re growing. When we have our own garden I’d like to grow some veggies x
Thanks Rhian – there are mini wooden spoons out there too, so don’t discount them because of lack of a garden – you could make a mini one for your kitchen windowsill – and keep an eye on growing them while the fruit/veg are young and fragile. They make nice gifts for someone too – nothing nicer than a handmade gift!
Oh what a fun idea and really simple too! I love doing things like this for the garden, any kids are obsessed with gardening!
It’s a nice little project for this kids – and you can’t really go wrong with painting wooden spoons can you? Maybe leave the varnishing for the adults though as it doesn’t smell pleasant when it first goes on. Helps keep the spoons looking better for longer though. Also, if the kids (or you) don’t want to paint on the veggies/fruit you can always cut out pics from mags.
My kids would love to try this craft, they love anything connected to the garden.
That’s wonderful Jenny – it’s always nice to come up with new & novel ways to keep the kids entertained isn’t it? Stone art (or rock art) is another idea – have a look at some YouTube videos for inspiration!
Love this idea, I bet they look lovely in the garden. Fantastic way to get kids involved in gardening.
They do brighten up the garden Elizabeth, you’re right. And actually, they’ve been a great talking point for when people come over too – it’s nice to get admiring comments. Thinking of doing some more and giving them away as Christmas gifts!
This is such a cute idea of something to make and do for the garden! Also, my memory is AWFUL so I totally need to remember where I planted all those veggies!
Ha ha! Yours and mine both Sarah! Especially when the seeds or plants are tiny. I’d never remember what I planted where – I usually leave garden stuff to VIP if I’m honest! But I do love contributing in terms of decor 🙂
Love this idea as it always seems a shame to just throw out wooden kitchen tools when they are past their best
Yes! That’s true – a bit of upcycling never went amiss and every now and then we do have to get rid of our old wooden spoons don’t we. For metal spoons another idea are repurposing them as wind chimes – although maybe make sure you don’t annoy the neighbours with them! lol
Ohhh I blooming love this! I have just started growing veg, so this has come at a perfect time. I am not sure my artwork will be as good as yours, but I will give it a bash! Fab post Lauretta.
Ah thanks Kerry – I know you’ve got your little garden patch going on with mini rocket (which I love), so I’m glad you like them. My artwork wasn’t mine (got to be honest!) it was VIPs! BUT if it were me doing this I’d cut out pictures of carrots from the Lidl mag and decoupage them on – just a thought! lol xxxx