How to Make Rustic Signs for the Garden

Every beautiful garden needs a rustic garden sign or two. 

old window with garden sign

Today I'm making my signs from cut boards I found on my way to work one morning... they were 1" thick lengths of heavy outdoor plywood and they are perfect for these garden signs. 


I love it when I find free wood. 


I began by painting the wood with Fusion Mineral Paint in Casement, a beautiful cool white color that needs no topcoat and is perfect for painting signs and stenciling. 




  • Fusion Mineral Paint has a built in primer and top coat. No wax nor primer generally required! 

  • Fusion is self leveling, which greatly minimizes brush strokes. Use a quality brush or sprayer for best results.

  • And it is great for indoors or out making it perfect for garden sign making!



Fusion white paint and a brush

I'm using Coal Black Fusion Mineral Paint for all the stenciling.


  • All stencils are made out of heavy weight 10mil, making them super durable long term.

  • Each as center point registration cuts, making positioning a breeze!

  • A super dry brush is key to sharp lines! Load your brush, then tap most of the paint off again onto a rag. Apply paint by tapping up and down for best results. I also prefer a foam pouncer available from your local craft store. 

  • Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils can be purchased HERE.
Examples of old sign stencils

The stencils are gorgeous, very thick and easy to use. 


They come in many designs and the new garden collection stencils are perfect for the spring and summer season. 

sample size Fusion Mineral Paint

On my potting shed sign I stenciled the flower pot and the flowers using samples from Fusion Mineral Paint there are so many beautiful colors to choose from and these were perfect for these garden signs. 


When the paint dried I used an electric sander to distress the stencil and the edges of the wood for a rustic look. 



Stenciling a garden sign with sample paints

My new garden signs are perfect to hang, lean or stick in the ground.


Potting shed sign on shelf with pots

You can read about how I saved the old picnic table and turned it into my outdoor Potting Table.


Old fence with yellow flowers and garden sign

My garden is filled with beautiful decorative junk and these signs are perfect to welcome you into the garden.


Another version of this beautiful garden sign began with a piece of reclaimed wood and a couple of spindles I pulled off of an old headboard. 


I added the spindles to the sign then inserted metal rods into the bottom of the spindles so this sign could sit in the dirt. 



White board with spindle legs

This sign was stenciled the same way but this time I added hand painted highlights to the letters and leaves to give it a different touch. 



Close up of garden sign

I think this sign on sexy legs is one of my favorites! 



White garden sign in front of hosta

White garden sign in front of fence

Now please stop over and visit each of my friends for more inspiration! Be sure to visit them all!


           Funky Junk Interiors

       Organized Clutter

         Beyond the Picket Fence

      Inspired by Charm

PIN IT!
 

 I hope you enjoyed this project and you'll take a look at my Amazon Shop for craft supplies I recommend. Also while you're here please sign up for the Homeroad emails on my sidebar so I can send my latest DIY post straight to you. 





Homeroad
Homeroad

I am Susan, the author and creator at Homeroad. I am a wife, mother of 4 daughters, and a grandmother of 5 and counting. I am a retired teacher, a DIY blogger and an artist at heart. .