Growing up I was often given the chore of snipping herbs for the evening's dinner. Usually the task was simple (rosemary, mint, thyme), but then there was lemon thyme and purple basil and shiso leaves and sorrel. My limited knowledge of culinary herbs left me cold and confused in the garden for longer than necessary. Here are ten different markers—in metal, ceramic, and wood—for those of us less familiar with the array of plants in the garden.
Above: A set of 6 Herb Garden Labels made from white clay and colored glaze have individually hand printed names on the clay (rosemary, heirloom tomato, cilantro, oregano, basil, and parsley). The set is $48 from Paulova on Etsy.
Above: A set of 10 Aluminum Plant Labels that can be stuck into the ground or wrapped around a branch. Meant to be marked with a permanent felt pen and made of anodized aluminum, they are 8€ from Manufactum in Germany.
Above: The Herb Garden Stakes are made from raw, high-fired porcelain that bears the stamp of common herb and vegetable names. Available in lavender, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, sage, basil, dill, oregano, mint, and thyme, the herb stakes are $30 for a set of four or $8 each from Pigeon Toe Ceramics on Etsy.
Above: The set of six Zinc Hang Tags are made from galvanized metal that remains rust-free (but not patina-free) and can be labeled with a chalk or grease pencil; $11.95 from Agrarian.
Above: The Seed Dibber and Label Set from Labour and Wait includes a wooden plant dibber with 1-inch increments, two sets of aluminum plant labels, and a carbon garden pencil (our favorite part of the set) that reacts with the aluminum of the tags (the writing is weatherproof and can only be removed with an eraser); £11.50.
Above: West Elm Market's Reclaimed Wood Garden Stakes come with a pencil for marking each piece; $22 for a set of ten.
Above: The Stoneware Dipped Chalkboard Garden Markers come in a set of six and with a waterproof china marker; $14.95 from Agrarian.
Above: A set of 20 smooth-surfaced slate markers of different sizes and shapes comes with a slate pencil. Made from castoff bits of slate from quarries in Wales, a Wood Box Set of Slate Labels is £49.50 ( or approximately $78.53 US) from Great English Outdoors.
Above: The Oak Plant Labels are made from FSC seasoned English oak and come in a pack of four with a pencil for £5.50 for the small and £9.50 for the large from Objects of Use in London.
Above: Agrarian's Set of 5 Oak Garden Markers are designed in the UK and made in Poland from FSC-certified sustainable oak with a natural oil finish for $12.95.
Looking for more garden accessories? Check out our favorite Japanese Garden Boots, these 5 Potting Shed Essentials, and of course, The Ultimate Twine Holder.