Mason Jar Lid Plant Label
Canning Jar Lid Upcycle
If you can your garden’s harvest every year you have this problem: a sizable stack of jar lids. You know what I mean. The lids can only be used once for canning. I always felt bad about tossing the lids once I used them.
Sure, I keep them around to use on jars of things that do not require a vacuum seal. But, eventually you get a pretty good collection of the lids and need to figure out something to do with them .
I’ve seen several crafts on Pinterest involving these lids and decided to tackle one on my own. Let’s bring these lids full circle–they were used to seal your garden harvest, let’s make them into labels for your next year’s harvest.
Supplies
You will need:
- Small Mouth Mason Jar Lids
- Mod Podge ** Update–There’s an Outdoor Mod Podge!
- Acrylic Sealer (only if you plan to use the labels outdoors)
- Foam Brush
- Scissors or a 2 in Craft Puncher
- Hole Puncher
- Jar Lid Labels Print Out (below) *check back soon, I am working on some new ones
**New** I’ve added 2 more label sheets. See my new post featuring my Hometalk DIY Plant Labels board.
Step 1
- Print out the labels on an 8.5 X 11 piece of cardstock. I used a brown craft paper. Regular paper works fine too.
- Cut out around the dotted lines for each plant label you want to use. A 2 in craft punch works great for this part.
- With your foam brush, apply a generous amount of Mod Podge to the front of a jar lid.
Step 2
- Lay one of the cut out labels on top of the glue slathered surface.
- Press down gently to ensure the entire surface is stuck to the label.
- Apply another generous layer of Mod Podge on top of the paper label.
- Wipe the excess glue off with a paper towel.
- Let the lids dry for about half an hour. The glue will dry clear.
- Once dried, lightly spray with an acrylic sealer.
Step 3
Take your hole puncher and punch a hole in the center top of the lid.
Step 4
You can do several variations on this step. I was initially going to use floral wire and tie the label onto a popsicle stick or a twig. But I came across these floral picks in my massive craft supply stash (I have no idea when and why I purchased them) and thought they were perfect for the task!
- Line up the top of the floral pick to the hole in the lid.
- Insert the end of the wire through the hole a few times to secure.
- Wrap the end of the wire securely around the green stick in the back.
- Continue assembling the other labels.
Alternative Uses
These labels are versatile. I am considering gluing a magnet to the back of the lids and turning them into a garden themed magnet set for the fridge. They can be used as label tops for seed storage. Or, what the heck, tie a piece of ribbon at the top and put these little darlings on your Christmas Tree! Make a set for yourself and another for a quick, DIY gift for a gardener.
**Update
I’m working on new veggie graphics right now. Comment below on what types of vegetables you would like to see and if you’d like them on wide mouth lids as well. Sign up for our newsletter or join of Facebook fan page so I can let you know when they are ready for download!
The wooden picks will only last one season. Use 6 to 8″ long nails and cut or file the top off. The other thing you could use is skinny re-bar. You can buy it in 10 packs that are one foot long. God bless you all
Thanks!
I would love to print the labels.
I found the 2 new labels with the herbs and tomatoes but can’t access the others. The links just take me to a VIGlink page. If anyone could help me I would appreciate it.
I totally love these! Tomatoes, Beans and the other suggestions are also great. Thank You
Great deal. I am using them in square garden
I would like a wide mouth printable for peppers, tomatoes, collards, romaine, red onions ect….anything you can think of
Can you make some flower labels…Cone Flowers, Daisy, Hydrangea, etc. I love these labels and the mason jar lids.
Barb,
It’s on my list of things to do! I’ll let you know when I get them up.
For sure specific varieties tomatoes pepper etc
Would love for wide mouth jar lids the labels are awesome. I printed them out for this year but if you make them bigger I will redo. These are perfect
I’d love some Herb lables
Yes, yes, herbs!
Margaret, I made new labels (including herbs) in my follow-up article: https://prudentgard.wpengine.com/hometalk-diy-plant-labels/.
Different varieties of tomatoes (I.e. cherry, forth of July, big girl, Roma etc.) Or you could make a post on how you make the labels…
Zucchini, Summer Squash, Peas, and Eggplant along with the list above from nina.
Tomatoes, green peppers, hot peppers, green beans, red raspberries, blueberries, rhubarb
Herbs of all types – basil, sweet basil, Italian basil, chives, parsley, cilantro, thyme, rosemary, mint, oregano,
Thanks Diana, I will see what I can do 🙂
What type of hole punch did you use to make holes in the lids? I don’t think my regular hole punch I use on paper would be up to the job. Maybe just use a big nail?
Hello!
I just used a regular hole puncher (one made for paper). It punched through just fine!
Now this is something I have never thought of doing! Great idea!!