Bring The Beach To Your Garden With This Adorable Shell DIY

For some, decorating your yard is just as fun and important as planting the garden in the first place. As long as you use items that don't harm you, your family, or your plants, such as dyed mulch in your vegetable garden that can be toxic, there's no danger in having fun. With certain decorations, it's possible to even reuse items you would otherwise be thrown in the trash, such as finding ways to repurpose old tires outdoors. 

One fun and practical way to decorate your garden is by personalizing your garden labels. Labels are used to help you remember what you planted and where, so you don't accidentally use the wrong herb, or forget the name of that strange squash you bought seeds for. 

There are all sorts of tricks and fun ways to make garden markers, ready to match any theme. Some people paint rocks, some flatten spoons and stamp labels on them, and some simply use popsicle sticks and markers. With so many different methods, it's easy enough to find a style that fits your personality and other decor and is useful. 

For those living near an ocean, or who like the beach theme, shells offer a fun and practical garden label. It's also a cute way to use shells you might have collected while on vacation over the years if you don't know what to do with them besides letting them sit in a jar. These labels are easy enough to make, and there is still a chance for a lot of variety. 

For the basic design, all you need are some seashells and a marker. Generally, most people use clamshells because they're large and fairly smooth. However, oyster and mussel shells are also good options. Shells work better than little plastic or wood labels as they are heavier and sturdier. They're less likely to blow away in the wind or get lost, last a long time, and they're also easier to see from a distance. 

Simply take the shells and write the label on them. A marker works fine, but the words often fade after just a few months. If you're struggling to get the words bold enough, paint or paint makers are another option. You can write on the inside or outside of clam shells or the inside of oyster and mussel shells because the textures are fairly smooth and the color is light enough paint can be clearly seen. Then, place them in the dirt next to the plants. 

If you want to make sure your shells don't get lost, drill a hole into the shell so that you can hang them from metal hooks. This keeps them in one place and makes them easy to see even when the plant spreads out. 

You may also want to add some more unique touches to your labels with paint. Using standard acrylic paint, decorate the shells with all sorts of colors and decorations. Add just a shade of pink to the shell, paint a picture of the plant in question, or cover it in polka dots, whatever you think looks the best. For example, add more of this color if you want to attract hummingbirds. There's also the option to cover the shells in patterned and colorful paper mache. This is a great activity for a family, letting everyone decorate their own shells. Then, once they dry, put the labels on them and place them around your garden. If you're enjoying yourself, make a few extra without labels to stick in potted plants and large garden beds for fun as well. 

Just make sure to remember to write the label on the shell before you're done. It's also a good idea to cover the shell with a spray sealer. This keeps the paint covered and protected longer.