Where Is Your Planter’s Yardstick?

Planter's Yardstick...

 

You'll quickly come to rely on this simple garden tool. It's made from a four-inch-wide, four-foot-long board: Leave one of the long edges flat, or create a beveled edge by shaving it at a 45-degree angle with a table saw; you can also have a lumberyard cut it for you. Along the other long edge, cut alternating deep and shallow notches at 6-inch intervals. When planting seeds or setting out young plants, press the flat edge into the earth to make a furrow. Then lay the board on its side, and use the notches to help you space the seeds and seedlings evenly. For example, most lettuce seeds should be spaced 6 inches apart, so you can sow them at each notch. Tomatoes need 1 1/2 to 2 feet between plants, so put them in every three or four notches.

Variations: This idea is for those of us who live in an apartment, or those that don't have a use for a Planters Yardstick but would like to make a decorative yardstick.  Use a drill to drill a hole in the top of the yardstick so it can hang up in plain sight.  Then using the paint of your choice, paint it so the wood color doesn't show through.  Let it dry.  Using a stencil of your choice paint a decorative design on the yardstick.  Or if you have a scene to paint your yardstick, you can do that as well!

You might also use rubber stamps on your yardstick. You might want to stamp your design twice so it shows up more.. Be sure to use a stamp positioner so the stamp hits just right. These are just a few ideas to help you make your very own Decorative Planters Yardstick... ENJOY!

Written by: Loretta Watson

Adapted from: Martha Stewart Living, March 1998