Sue Jordan made such a wonderful directional signpost to name and welcome all her grandkids, grand nieces and nephews to her garden, we just had to see more! Here’s her ‘grand’ idea, accomplished for the July Challenge, and how she made it…all you need find are old garden trowels!
The Grands & greats names…. and ‘Camp’ (Campbell) is due to arrive this fall!
Each trowel is pointed the direction of the child who’s name is on it and states how far away they live! We’re sure all the kiddies all like to run out and find their own name in the garden…
Sue confides, “The idea to use trowels materialized as I was relaxing in a shady spot having just planted a few seeds. With sweet tea in one hand and lap top propped, I was resting and reading – yet again – the FMG article, Directional sign posts for the garden .”
“I sat there feasting on the article signage photos (such eye-candy!) wondering what I could use… when my eyes came to rest on my garden gloves and trowel. It was as if a light was turned on! The search was on for trowels…..”
Little Greenlee with the 2015 directional sign, now replaced. Too short,…need more room for trowels!
“I added a ‘Momo & G’ trowel too, they are pointing towards their homes”
We especially love the birdhouse on the top of the new pole. Sue is bound to help raise an entire generation of gardeners with all the cheery child-centered features in her garden.
“We added a birdhouse to the top of our signpost….”
As the family grew, Sue realized a taller pole was needed. Sue says, “I’m thrilled the bluebirds moved in within hours of being placed. I had to place the trowels while they were scavenging for nesting material…. as to not scare them away. It took eons to get all of them in place.”
“..and within hours we already had residents!”
Sue says, “The trowels were gathered up at flea markets, dollar stores, and some were gifts… all were inexpensive averaging $1-2 each. The lettering was added to trowels with a handy-dandy indelible black magic marker or my totally favorite … Sharpie Paint pens.”
Sue says “We used an 8 foot fence post purchased at a local farm store and buried it about one and a half feet in the ground. I also painted some rusty blades red and blue using Rust-oleum 2X-Ultra Cover
“….down the pathway”
Sue says, “We drilled through the plastic or wooden handles on several trowels the old fashioned way… screwdriver and elbow grease, however, It was easiest to just loop the trowel neck with some wire and use wood screws to attach them on the post.”
“Can’t forget to give credit to hubby for helping with the garden sign post!”
Sue tells us, “I have two children… who have gifted me with three grandsons and one granddaughter. I see all four often.”
At the moment, Sue has four grandchildren and eleven great nieces and nephews who range from age sixteen down to seven months old…. and a new arrival, Campbell, ‘Camp,’ is due to be born in the fall. Camp already has his trowel!
“My search for trowels is slowing down….”
Sue says, “Replacing last year’s with a taller pole was way fun to spruce up the directional post….and we may have a bit more tweaking… with Campbell arriving soon and one name is pending via adoption that is underway. It’s so fun when the grands, the grand-nephews, and grand-nieces visit and can spot their names!”
“…so true!” Shovel sign at the bottom of the pole!
So, will you try a directional sign and for your garden? The only down side will be the eventual lack of trowels in the US market, if the idea catches on!
“Today, two of the great-nieces checked out their names on my completed FMG ‘July Challenge project’ Love their visits!” Sue says!
Last we saw of Sue’s garden was her fantastical and creative fairy path she made together with her grandchildren. You can’t miss it! A garden fairy path any child can do!
Also Weatherproof bird feeders with a Flea Market twist
and Grandma Camp in the garden!
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Oh I <3 this new taller version with the added blue bird house! & the added family members!!! Congrats!!!
Just the cutest idea & I am happy for the info on those paint Sharpie pens ... I am always looking for something for painting plant markers. Wow ... great project!