Best String for Florida Weave?

Chucker · February 22, 2011

Anyone have a favorite type and a good source for string for the Florida weave method? I'm going to give it a try this year and assume the string needs to be fairly strong but non-abrasive.

mike5953 · February 22, 2011

I use jute twine.
You just need to be careful not to get it too tight so that it doesn't cut into the plant.

tam91 · February 22, 2011

I used thick baling twine from a Farm and Fleet. Had to buy a huge bale, but I'll have plenty for years.

RayR · February 22, 2011

The best string for stake and weave is nylon twine. It's very strong and the surface is very smooth so it's less abrasive than other twine.

FILMNET · February 23, 2011

I used both last year, finally every week the string will be pull down a little, I used wood sticks at ends and pull up and staple to the wood. Easy this way.

chiefbeaz · February 23, 2011

I have used a nylon tomato twine sold by the Farmers co-op in middle Tennessee for the past three years. It comes in a box that you can attach to your belt . Last year I believe it cost in the $7.00- $8.00 range. One box of the twine will handled 150 plants or more. This is based on you having to tie up four or more times during the growing period.

Chucker · February 23, 2011

Thanks all - sounds like nylon twine is the way to go. Anybody know what size is good?

http://www.seamar.com/images/rope/twineSizeChart.pdf

Fusion_power · February 23, 2011

There is more to it than you have read so far. You also have to consider the cost of cleanup at the end of the year. I use and prefer hay baling sisal twine. It is relatively cheap at $32 for 2 rolls 9000 feet long, easily used in the garden, just put a roll in a 5 gallon bucket and pull as needed, and can be cut off the stakes at the end of the season and either composted or burned.

The disadvantage of sisal twine is that it stretches when it gets wet, as in every time it rains. To address this, I tie the twine to end stakes in my garden using slip knots so I can go through and pull the twine up tight every week or so.

The disadvantage of nylon twine is that it is a mess to clean up at the end of the season. It does not even come close to breaking down in that length of time. If you let any of it get into the ground, you can wind it up on a tiller or around plow shanks. The only effective way to get rid of it is by burning which makes a smelly smoky mess.

DarJones

chiefbeaz · February 23, 2011

Based on the choices of the twine size chart you gave the link to, I would go with the smallest size #9. The cord that I use is about the same size as hay bailing twine you see on square hay bales. I would suggest going to a farm supply store and asking about tomato twine. Illinois is a big farming state and you shouldn't have any problem locating tomato twine unless you live in downtown Chicago.

Heritage · February 24, 2011

I have access to miles of used plastic drip tape so I use it to tie up tomatoes. I use it for both the 'weave' and 'single leader tomato clip' methods. The plastic drip tape doesn't break down in sunlight and it is kind to the plants. On longer rows I double it up and pull it as tight as possible. The only drawback is that it isn't very attractive.

chiefbeaz · February 24, 2011

Go to Johnny's Seeds and they have both types of tomato twine,nylon and sisal twine

Farmer Matt · February 25, 2011

I use baler twine, work's really good. You can get it at your local ag store. I paid $32 for 6 thousand feet. I used 3 rolls last year with the Florida weave.

February 22, 2011	#1
Chucker Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Illinois Posts: 180	Best String for Florida Weave? Anyone have a favorite type and a good source for string for the Florida weave method? I'm going to give it a try this year and assume the string needs to be fairly strong but non-abrasive.

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February 22, 2011	#2
mike5953 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 97	I use jute twine. You just need to be careful not to get it too tight so that it doesn't cut into the plant.

February 22, 2011	#3
tam91 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Crystal Lake IL Posts: 2,484	I used thick baling twine from a Farm and Fleet. Had to buy a huge bale, but I'll have plenty for years.

February 22, 2011	#4
RayR Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cheektowaga, NY Posts: 2,464	The best string for stake and weave is nylon twine. It's very strong and the surface is very smooth so it's less abrasive than other twine.

February 23, 2011	#5
FILMNET Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Charleston,South Carolina, USA Posts: 1,803	I used both last year, finally every week the string will be pull down a little, I used wood sticks at ends and pull up and staple to the wood. Easy this way.

February 23, 2011	#6
chiefbeaz Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Middle, TN Posts: 271	I have used a nylon tomato twine sold by the Farmers co-op in middle Tennessee for the past three years. It comes in a box that you can attach to your belt . Last year I believe it cost in the $7.00- $8.00 range. One box of the twine will handled 150 plants or more. This is based on you having to tie up four or more times during the growing period.

February 23, 2011	#8
Fusion_power Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,250	There is more to it than you have read so far. You also have to consider the cost of cleanup at the end of the year. I use and prefer hay baling sisal twine. It is relatively cheap at $32 for 2 rolls 9000 feet long, easily used in the garden, just put a roll in a 5 gallon bucket and pull as needed, and can be cut off the stakes at the end of the season and either composted or burned. The disadvantage of sisal twine is that it stretches when it gets wet, as in every time it rains. To address this, I tie the twine to end stakes in my garden using slip knots so I can go through and pull the twine up tight every week or so. The disadvantage of nylon twine is that it is a mess to clean up at the end of the season. It does not even come close to breaking down in that length of time. If you let any of it get into the ground, you can wind it up on a tiller or around plow shanks. The only effective way to get rid of it is by burning which makes a smelly smoky mess. DarJones

February 24, 2011	#10
Heritage Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,255	I have access to miles of used plastic drip tape so I use it to tie up tomatoes. I use it for both the 'weave' and 'single leader tomato clip' methods. The plastic drip tape doesn't break down in sunlight and it is kind to the plants. On longer rows I double it up and pull it as tight as possible. The only drawback is that it isn't very attractive.

February 25, 2011	#12
Farmer Matt Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Tracy, California Posts: 63	I use baler twine, work's really good. You can get it at your local ag store. I paid $32 for 6 thousand feet. I used 3 rolls last year with the Florida weave.