Tired of cutting up old T-shits etc. to hold up your tomatoes?

[Paper Roses]

I was just preparing some things for a stir fry tonight and had a head of BokChoy to slice up. It came with a paper covered wire with the PLU# wrapped around it. Lettuce and other veggies come with this same band. It just occurred to me that this item would be great to hold up my tomato plants when they get to the stage that they need to be tied up. I cringe at how many I have thrown away. I will save all of these wraps until summer when my plants get to the right size. Seems this would be quick, neat and easy.

[NRaleighLiberal]

1. I just buy a monster ball of Sisal twine from Home depot - lasts me for years!

[trud]

2. I have wire cages, so no tying(sp?) necessary n/t

[beac]

3. Brava to you for recycling those twist ties!

After using twist ties (both salvaged as you describe and purchaseed) the year before last, I broke down and bought a roll of Velcro that's made especially for tying up veggies. I had removed and saved ALL my twist ties from the year before (and I still have then in a repurposed yogurt quart container) but the Velcro was SO easy to work with, I'm now a complete convert. I liked the ease of changing/tightening/loosening the ties as needed. And yes, I saved each and every one and made little stuck-together stacks sorted by length so I can use them again this year. They are still in great shape after a summer of punishing heat and I expect they'll last several more seasons.

My favorite thing to save from veggies is the fat purple rubber bands around asparagus. They are really sturdy and last for many uses.

(I do feel guilty about my abandoned tub of twisties. Must think of some way to re-use them...)

[trud]

4. rubber bands

Rubber bands on produce give me the willies. I am always imagining some wild animal who is foraging choking on them. Some of the people at farmers' markets in my area have started using twine, which, perhaps illogically, seems safer.

I always at least cut open any rubber band that makes its way into my house before discarding it. And I don't let the supermarket checkers put rubber bands around the deli containers.

[Lugnut]

5. I use old flat bed sheets.

The fitted bottoms wear out much faster than the top flat sheets. I save them to use as painting drop cloths and tomato ties.

[LiberalEsto]

6. I never use T-shits

I cut the legs of old pantyhose and kneehighs into circles about 1/2 inch wide and use those. They work great.

[nc4bo]

8. Waist bands from underwear (especially men's) should work good too.

I was eying my husband as he was sorting the holy and unholy drawers this morning. He said he was going to throw the holy's out. Noticed the waistband was already coming loose on several and thought :loveya:

[femmocrat]

7. I use bread bags. I save them all winter.

I cut them into long strips, about 4 per bag. They are strong and weather-proof.

[Frosty1]

9. Old pantyhose

cut into 6 inch lengths works great.