Alternatives for EarthBox mulch covers? - Page 2

Rockporter · November 2, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Do you have a picture with the zip ties?

The compactor bags are thick as well, but I spent $ on the clips too.

This year I partially filled some of the EB waiting for my plants to get bigger but put the real EB covers on them. The was no loaf; not even flat. It rained a lot and the EB covers kept all the rain out even with the rain pooling on top.

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OTOH - I want to give a huge plug for the HUSKY CLEAR bags for solarizing the mix in the off season. This year, I dumped all but 4 of my EBs. We were out of town when the hurricane came through and even though the EB tipped over in the storm, the bags stayed intact. I still have 2 of the EB waiting to be reused. The hurricane/possible tornado ripped our complete solar panel system off the roof, but the $1 per bag held up just fine.

No pics, just make the bag big enough to hang over the edge almost all the way to the ground. Then zip tie the re-useable zip ties together so it will fit around the EB, then cinch it tight with the bag against the bottom edge of the EB.

Greatgardens · November 3, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockporter

No pics, just make the bag big enough to hang over the edge almost all the way to the ground. Then zip tie the re-useable zip ties together so it will fit around the EB, then cinch it tight with the bag against the bottom edge of the EB.

I've tried clipping the bags to the EB, but as Barb said, $ for the clips, and they didn't hold up very well. Do the zip-ties seem to hold up OK through the winter? They are some type of nylon, so I would think they might be pretty durable.

-GG

Barb_FL · November 3, 2017

Confession here - I use the zip ties but NEVER knew they were reusable. I just always clipped them. Now I feel stupid.

I use them for storing my square tomato cages - mine are never as flat as when I bought them.

I used them for attaching bamboo poles to the cages to make the cages much taller. My neighbor still has her 'big cage' intact from Sept '16 even through the 2 hurricanes.

I use them to close and keep the clear bags tight when solarizing. Solarizing takes place during the hottest, most humid part of the year.

GreatGardens - Larry - I can say that I have never had one deteriorate.

Rockporter - Thanks for the idea. I still have a few EB I need to get set up. I will try it this weekend and post a picture. Now I wish I had longer Zip Ties. Will make do with what I have.

Worth1 · November 3, 2017

They are not all reusable.
Did you know the Ty Rap is 59 years old this year?
They are made by Thomas & Betts and the best brand on the market.
I have used many thousands in my career.

Worth

Rockporter · November 4, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greatgardens

I've tried clipping the bags to the EB, but as Barb said, $ for the clips, and they didn't hold up very well. Do the zip-ties seem to hold up OK through the winter? They are some type of nylon, so I would think they might be pretty durable.

-GG

The zip ties are UV protected and I buy them from here, just make sure you get the UV releasable cable ties.

https://buycableties.com/collections/releasable

I can't find Raybo's thread on DIY Earthtainers, but I had a bunch of pictures on how I setup my EB's based on his cage design and using zip ties. Now, I did drill holes in the sides of my containers just under the lip of them to secure the cages with zip ties. Check it out there.

Rockporter · November 4, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Confession here - I use the zip ties but NEVER knew they were reusable. I just always clipped them. Now I feel stupid.

I use them for storing my square tomato cages - mine are never as flat as when I bought them.

I used them for attaching bamboo poles to the cages to make the cages much taller. My neighbor still has her 'big cage' intact from Sept '16 even through the 2 hurricanes.

I use them to close and keep the clear bags tight when solarizing. Solarizing takes place during the hottest, most humid part of the year.

GreatGardens - Larry - I can say that I have never had one deteriorate.

Rockporter - Thanks for the idea. I still have a few EB I need to get set up. I will try it this weekend and post a picture. Now I wish I had longer Zip Ties. Will make do with what I have.

I meant to say zip tie it just under the top edge, not around the bottom edge.

Greatgardens · November 4, 2017

Hey, I never knew that there were any that were reusable! Definitely good to know. The first thought that I have is that I would attach them on the sides (top edge) more-or-less permanently. Then use a 12" resealable one to join the two edges and hold down the plastic. Maybe about 6" from each end. Three spots down the length of the sides at the worst. That should also take care of the "short" cable issues.

-GG

Barb_FL · November 4, 2017

Did it today; I found enough long zip ties around the house. Picture coming as soon as DH will take it.

I had no luck getting the zip ties under the EB lip, but once I gave up trying, it went well. The zip ties are about 3" down from the top.

My bag (thick compactor bag) is shorter than what you recommend.

Definitely has promise; Besides this EB, I still have 6 other empty EBs.

Rockporter · November 4, 2017

You might have a problem with the zip tie coming off at the bottom because the box is gradually smaller. You could use a couple zip ties across the top of the box and connected to the zip ties wrapped around the box to hold it there better. I say this because you mentioned not being able to tighten it around the lip and I remember now I had the same problem so I used zip ties across the the top of the box. When I used my cages then I just used small zip ties attached to the cage and then attached to the zip ties around the box. Hope I haven't now thoroughly confused you.

Barb_FL · November 4, 2017

Once the plant is in it, and if it starts sliding down, I will just use the clips like I had in the past.

Do you get the zip ties under the lip? Could have been my bag; they are very glossy and shiny making it slippery. It is really on tight though. I couldn't tighten it where the zips finally connected; went with one on the side.

Rockporter · November 4, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb_FL

Once the plant is in it, and if it starts sliding down, I will just use the clips like I had in the past.

Do you get the zip ties under the lip? Could have been my bag; they are very glossy and shiny making it slippery. It is really on tight though. I couldn't tighten it where the zips finally connected; went with one on the side.

I don't do it that way anymore. If you can find Raybo Earthtainer thread you will see my setup using the same cages he uses on his Earthtainers. It's a whole different setup now.

Barb_FL · November 12, 2017

Finally getting around to posting that picture. Since then, EB has been planted and I did another one that went way easier. Weird b/c the tie tabs were much shorter but I got done quickly.

Rockporter · November 12, 2017

Looks good barb.

Greatgardens · November 14, 2017

How many ties did it require to do it with the perimeter attachment? Just from memory, the perimeter is about 6-7 feet? Looks nice and secure.

ginger2778 · November 14, 2017

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greatgardens

How many ties did it require to do it with the perimeter attachment? Just from memory, the perimeter is about 6-7 feet? Looks nice and secure.

Yes, I want to know this too.

November 3, 2017	#19
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	They are not all reusable. Did you know the Ty Rap is 59 years old this year? They are made by Thomas & Betts and the best brand on the market. I have used many thousands in my career. Worth Last edited by Worth1; November 3, 2017 at 06:34 PM.

November 4, 2017	#24
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	You might have a problem with the zip tie coming off at the bottom because the box is gradually smaller. You could use a couple zip ties across the top of the box and connected to the zip ties wrapped around the box to hold it there better. I say this because you mentioned not being able to tighten it around the lip and I remember now I had the same problem so I used zip ties across the the top of the box. When I used my cages then I just used small zip ties attached to the cage and then attached to the zip ties around the box. Hope I haven't now thoroughly confused you. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

November 12, 2017	#28
Rockporter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Texas Coastal Bend Posts: 3,205	Looks good barb. __________________ In the spring at the end of the day you should smell like dirt ~Margaret Atwood~

November 14, 2017	#29
Greatgardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Indiana Posts: 1,124	How many ties did it require to do it with the perimeter attachment? Just from memory, the perimeter is about 6-7 feet? Looks nice and secure. Last edited by Greatgardens; November 14, 2017 at 12:32 AM.

November 3, 2017	#18
Barb_FL Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Indialantic, Florida Posts: 2,000	Confession here - I use the zip ties but NEVER knew they were reusable. I just always clipped them. Now I feel stupid. I use them for storing my square tomato cages - mine are never as flat as when I bought them. I used them for attaching bamboo poles to the cages to make the cages much taller. My neighbor still has her 'big cage' intact from Sept '16 even through the 2 hurricanes. I use them to close and keep the clear bags tight when solarizing. Solarizing takes place during the hottest, most humid part of the year. GreatGardens - Larry - I can say that I have never had one deteriorate. Rockporter - Thanks for the idea. I still have a few EB I need to get set up. I will try it this weekend and post a picture. Now I wish I had longer Zip Ties. Will make do with what I have.