Tracking Seedlings with Plant Stakes

A plant stake labeled "Basil" made out of laser cut wood is placed into a small potted plant.

Plant stakes are labels that help us remember important information about our gardens! Gardeners use this tool to keep track of things like the name of the plant, the date it was planted, or how much water and sun each plant needs.

The plant stakes in this project will:

use a chalkboard surface for reusable labelling
document code from a gardening project
be personalized with a name

Two young children tend to plants in a garden, with the girl holding a watering can next to a blue sign that reads "Butterfly diner."

Prepare

You’ll need the following items to complete this project:

A laser cutter, a sharp cutting knife, or scissors
3mm Baltic birch wood, or recycled waterproof materials
Black paint or chalkboard paint
Chalk

Build

A hand in a field of green holding a plant stake laser cut out of wood. An icon of a basil leaf with the word basil is prominently displayed.

First, you’ll need to cut out the shape of your plant stake from your chosen material.

Use the template files below to get started.

Laser or Machine Cutter

Cut out the plant stake using the file provided.

We recommend using 3mm Baltic birch wood for this project, but feel free to get creative and make it your own.

xTool File

An SVG shape with a pointed end and a rectangular field to be laser cut and put into a small plant pot

Craft Knife or Scissors

If you don’t have access to a cutting machine, print the template and glue it to your desired material to create your frame.

To keep your project eco-friendly, try using found materials like old wood or rocks you find in the garden.

PDF Design

SVG Design

Paint & Label

Next, use acrylic or chalkboard paint to cover the surface of your plant stake. The design is up to you, but it should have a big enough surface that you can write on it later.

A hand in a field of green holding a painted plant stake for use with chalk.

Once the paint is dry, add information about your plant using chalk!

Consider including some of the following:

Your name
Name of your plant
Date you planted your seeds
Sun and water requirements

Code

Use the water pump and moisture sensor to keep your plants healthy as they grow!

Connect your project to the computer and download the starter code to make it work!
Review the code comments on each block to learn about how this project works, then write the instructions on your plant stake.

Improve

Think about how you can decorate and adapt your plant stake! How would you modify the template provided, or create your own project that includes the following features?