That's a great idea. Also, for plants that you will always own or rebuy, you can use a handheld engraver to engrave the name on the knife and it will last forever.

Here's a pic of my ancient, cheap thriftstore engraver that has come in handy more times than I can count.

I love this idea, I am sure my printed labels will stick to them just as well as they stick to the EON markers.

So, Holly, what labels are you using? P-Touch? I tried printing my own labels on clear labels,
spraying them with sealer, but they still didn't last in the sun. Faded away. Thanks.

great idea. I am going to try it.

Yes, I use P-touch the white labels with black printing. Some of them are a year or two old and still looking good. I do tuck them in close to the plant where they would be somewhat protected from the sun.

Thanks for the GREAT ideas. I paid someone to put holes in many old spoons I had, to make a hanging spoon holder but the project did not look so great. This is a GREAT way to use old silverware from the olden days. Costco has the ptouch on sale this week.

What got me thinking was this picture I found on Internet using spoons with engraving in the bowl. I decided to use knives instead because they are better proportioned to the tiny hostas I have. And the long blade would definitely give room to add a label.

ViolaAnn, that looks good. Those letters are not engraved on the spoons; a punch was used. You can buy a punch set for as little as $25 (or up to hundreds). Last a lifetime.

I just finished replacing a lot more plastic knives. If the handle of the knife was large and flat enough to write on, I wrote the name there as the blade was easier to push into the soil, particularly if there was some serration on the knife blade. All the ones in the pictures have the names on the blade.

Welcome Kater.

Ann and Greene - Oh my! I love those "punched" spoon labels! I immediately looked for a metal letter punch set and found an alphabet set for $22! I am going to get one of those sets and look for spoons at thrift stores! I have a vertical herb garden and have been trying to figure out a way to make long-lasting labels for each herb. I love the spoon idea! Thank you for posting that photo Ann! That is very attractive (to me) and just perfect for my herbs and even other plants!!!!! Love this whole idea of using thrift store flatware! Great idea Viola Ann! Thank you to all for these unique suggestions for plant labels!

@beckygardener,
Happy for you.
Your plant markers would make great gifts for your gardening friends/relatives, would probably sell on eBay or other internet stores, and (hint, hint) would make a terrific not-a-raffle prize here on ATP.

In addition to the set of stamps you will also need a flat steel plate or an anvil to work on. If you place some non-slip-grip material under the steel plate or anvil it helps to reduce movement. There are many online tutorials, some of which are less than perfect, and many teach jewelry stamping, but the basics are there.

Here is two examples:
http://jewelrymakingjournal.co...
http://www.ialwayspickthethimb...

I've never done this but I would think that you will probably want to flatten the spoon a bit so you will need something that will work well for that and possibly a special hammer for the tools. When I did leather work I used a special weighted rawhide hammer so I wouldn't damage the tools I used for the stamping. In leather work we also used a marble slab to stamp on. Take a look at leather working tools on Ebay and see if there is something there that you would find useful.