Reusing Garden Twine and Clips - What to Consider & Alternatives for Disease Prevention
Gardeners often wonder if they can reuse garden twine and plant clips without spreading disease. While it is possible to reuse the equipment, there are a few precautions that should be taken. It is recommended to scrub the clips using an old toothbrush in a pan of warm water and dish soap. After rinsing with clean water, give them a second rinse with water containing a little bleach added. Then set them out on a towel to dry thoroughly before putting them back in the bag.
Twine should not be reused as it may carry over any anomalies from the previous season. Bailing twine is an alternative solution as it comes free for picking up at local Co-ops. Put it into a large galvanized wash tub with slightly soapy water and add a good amount of bleach. Rinse and dry it before use. The thicker 1/4" diameter twine allows users to tie knots and unravel half of the fibers to make a piece twice as long which helps spread out the fibers to better support the vine without cramping growth or injuring stems.
If you don't have much disease pressure in your garden, reusing what you can is fine but clips tend to break easily after being exposed to intense summer sun for a year. Buying clips in bulk and sharing the cost with friends will help save money while avoiding problems caused by weak clips breaking due to heavy plants falling down. A 9000 ft bale of square bale twine costs around fifteen dollars and lasts years even when planting more than 100 tomatoes each year. Reusing cypress mulch for multiple years until it breaks down is also an economical option, just spray it with a 10% bleach spray for disease prevention purposes.When it comes to reusing garden twine and clips, there are a few things to consider. If you have disease pressure in your garden, it is best not to reuse the equipment as this could spread the problem further. Bailing twine is an economical alternative that can be reused for multiple years with proper cleaning and disinfecting. Buying clips in bulk or sharing costs with friends will help save money while avoiding problems caused by weak clips breaking due to heavy plants falling down. Reusing cypress mulch for multiple years until it breaks down is also an option but should be sprayed with 10% bleach spray before use for disease prevention purposes.
Can I reuse garden twine and plant clips without spreading disease?
Yes, you can. Scrub the clips using an old toothbrush in a pan of warm water & dish soap, rinse with clean water, then a second rinse of water with a little bleach added. For twine, use bailing twine from local Co-op, soak it in soapy water with bleach, rinse and dry thoroughly before putting them back in the bag.
Is it worth reusing equipment?
It depends on the situation. If you are not battling diseases in your garden, then reusing is fine. However, clips tend to break easily after being out in the sun for a year. Twine may not make it through a second season if it is not of high quality.
What is the best way to save money when gardening?
Buy clips and twine in bulk and share the cost with friends. Reuse cypress mulch for years until it breaks down, spray it with 10% bleach spray for disease prevention. Plant perennials that come back year after year. Start seeds indoors and transplant them outside when they are ready. Compost kitchen scraps to make your own fertilizer.
What other tips do you have for gardeners?
Plant in raised beds or containers to reduce weeds and pests. Use companion planting to naturally repel pests. Mulch around plants to keep the soil moist and reduce weeds. Water early in the morning so the water can soak into the ground before it evaporates. Rotate crops every season to reduce disease and pest pressure. Prune plants regularly to promote healthy growth.