Using a Rock as a Garden Marker: A Plastic Free Container Garden Tip

This is my second post for Rodale.com’s Plastic-Free February. Last week, I showed you my kitchen and how I do my best to avoid storing food in plastic containers and the challenges that I’m facing.

This week, I want to show a small tip that I’ve started to use in my balcony garden to reduce some of my plastic usage. I know that I’m growing food in plastic containers in and have already covered that issue.

This post is about using new or unnecessary plastics in the garden. What I’ve been doing is using a rock as a garden marker.

Marking what I’m planting and where has been something that I’ve done a horrible job at. By horrible I mean that I haven’t been doing it at all. I know that I’m planting lettuce, but not sure of the kind of lettuce. Total disrespect of the plant.

I actually got this idea from a friend of mine who was doing this. When I was riding my bike around my neighborhood, I collected the rocks.

It’s a simple (and stylish) way to create garden markers for your container garden without using any plastic.

What are your plastic free garden tips?

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUV_tUEyovc

Anonymous February 16, 2011 at 3:44 pm -

I just use ice pop sticks.
The Crimson Pirate February 16, 2011 at 3:55 pm -

We like to use winter dead fall branches, sticks, and the cane like stems of Jerusalem Artichokes for tomato supports, markers, and whatever else we can. We also use rocks. We might as well do something useful with them since we dig up so many preparing the garden.
Lhspirited February 16, 2011 at 4:21 pm -

I like the 12 inch wood plant labels. You can actually see them. I had a hard time finding them, so I bought a huge box of them and started selling them myself.
Mike Lieberman February 16, 2011 at 7:22 pm -

Nice. That’s entrepreneurial.
Mike Lieberman February 16, 2011 at 7:22 pm -

I like the artichoke idea. Got pics of that?
Mike Lieberman February 16, 2011 at 7:22 pm -

Sweet. Those work great as well.
Monique February 16, 2011 at 7:25 pm -

I collect the wooden sticks from my son’s the icecream to write the name of the seeds on it. You can also use small terracotta pots upside down on braches. Also a lovely decorative way of knowing what you will eat later on ;o)
Mike Lieberman February 16, 2011 at 7:55 pm -

Creative. I likes it.
Meemsnyc February 17, 2011 at 4:57 am -

The rock idea is super cute.
Nicole February 17, 2011 at 4:34 pm -

I love this idea – thank you!!
Calicofatquarter February 20, 2011 at 5:16 pm -

I’ve used old wooden spoon and wooden paint stirrers. You can easily write on them, stick them in the gound and not have to worry about them taking up space.
Mike Lieberman February 21, 2011 at 6:46 am -

Nice. I likes it.
Katherinekelley March 18, 2011 at 10:23 pm -

I like the idea of the rocks, but I’m thinking about using a wax pencil to write with so that next year I can reuse the rock if I change varieties. I have garden ADD and I am always trying different things. I have used ice pop sticks in the past, or craft sticks but I hate that I have to buy new ones. Rocks will eliminate that. Thanks!