Why would I teach you how to tie a slip knot?
Because, slip knots are cool!
And once you learn how to tie this knot you might yourself using it a lot more than you think. It’s great for tying up small piles or branches or brush, it’s good for putting a string around a tarp, a bundle of anything. I use this knot all the time.
In the nursery business the string or twine that we buy comes with as much as 4,500 feet on the roll. When you take that ball of twine into the field the best thing to do is put it in a 5 gallon bucket to keep the ball of string clean and dry, then poke a hole in the lid of the pail with just a single piece of string sticking out.
When you go to use the string you don’t want to make a cut until you know exactly how much you need because you don’t want to waste string, and secondly, you don’t want scraps of string laying all over the nursery. Especially a poly, non biodegradable type of string that will be there forever.
Here’s the other thing. In the nursery we dig plants in the spring and fall, more commonly known as muddy season. Trust me, 5000′ of string laying in the mud takes all the fun out of using the string. When I was 16 years old I was working out in the field in November with a digging crew. My job was to tie up the tops of the trees after the digging crew dug and balled and burlap-ed the trees by hand. The hand dug balls on the trees were so big that it took three or four of those really strong men to roll the ball out of the hole after it had been dug. Lifting the balled tree would have been impossible without a machine.
So I’m out there in the mud, me and a 5,000 foot bale of twine. I had 3″ inches of mud caked to the bottom of my boots and just as the very impatient nursery owner decides to pay us a visit I’ve got the string all tangled up in the mud caked to my feet. I looked like some kind of a comedy act, but he wasn’t very amused. He told me no uncertain, rather colorful terms, that I had cut too much string. I got the message!
So if you use the knot that I am teaching you here, and you’re working in a muddy field for somebody that is under impossible deadlines to get everything dug on schedule before the ground freezes, you likely won’t learn any new swear words because of your clumsiness with string. (smile)
-Mike McGroarty
P.S. Did you try it? Did it work for you? It’s tricky, but once you get it down you’ll be really good at it.
I found the “slip knot” video. Thanks.
I was unable to find the information on “how to tie a slip knot. However, I am computer illiterate. I will continue to try to obtain that info. Thanks for all the great info you provide MIKE. I use that info extensively. respectfully, Cea Fulco
FYI I had a paragraph written about my dislike of the recently purchased CORONA pole trimmer and Corona folding saw, which I did not even open based on the dis satisfactory performance and the 1/2′ cutting opening on the trimmer. That paragraph disappeared before I finished, so here I go again.. I guess I must have selected a bad set. I returned them to LOWE’S. I advised the trimmer was inappropriate for my use and based on the name, I did not even open the CORONA folding saw.
I also purchased new by-pass FISKAR’S trimmers and was totally unsatisfied with their performance. The blade did more spreading that cutting. And I have loved FISKAR’S in the past. I will try other brands in the future. Thank you. Cea Fulco.
just like lisette said: can’t see. hand is in the way.
Thanks Mike for your FREE info which is VERY RARE anywhere anymore!
I’m really enjoying watching your videos and reading all about gardening on your site!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your family!
This video is going to help somebody, alright–it’s going to help ME. I have been a notorious string-waster, but not any more. Thanks for another great lesson, Mike.
great video! Im glad I could rewind it to help practice cause I do need to do it again and again and again.LOL
Thanks Mike you are crazy but its a good crazy!
Well Blessings to you on this monday morning,Mike. Thanks for the tip, it looks easier than actually doing it. Donna lee
Nice Knot!
Now that looks so much easier then the way I have been doing it. thanks so much for that tip. I know it will help me alot
Thanks, Mike. Now I’ll tackle that stand of ornamental grass that needs to be cut back, and the tellis with climatis, and that wild, overgrown rose bush, and . . .
By the way, you look and sound healthier!
Inspiring.
Thanks Laura, it’s good to hear.
Thanks Mike nice knot! I’m a big fan of using string and rope, it is so versatile. I like the finish that lets you use only one end of the string. Good job.
Great info, thanks! By the way, I’ve always thought you were a ‘hunk’, and now you’re a healthier hunk! Whoo whoo! Really enjoy, and learn from, your videos, but I used to worry abt you – huffin’ and puffin’…eveb thought that didn’t seem to affect your energy! Lookin’ good, dude!
Thanks Linda, the huffing and puffing was both embarrasing and frustrating. I feel sooooo much better.
I absolutely love all your tips and advice. I find it very helpful. I also find it amazing that you are so willing to share what you know with others. Thank you so very much.
thanks mike…..
Mike were in the process of pruning our Mulberry tree. When I take a bunch of branches to the back a take some cord and tie a timber hitch around them pull it tight and grab the line close to the knot. I straighten up and walk the bunch to where they are to go. The butts are off the ground and the tips slide along the ground. You need to buy some new overalls before you get chafed from those old ones because of wind flapping on a gusty day.
Great video. Thought this was done at least 10 years ago…you look wonderful! Keep up the good work.
Thanks Mike – I love the knot info, I never knew why mine slip sometimes, and sometimes they don’t! now I know what to do…
and you look great – I am afraid if you lose much more weight, you are gonna lose your bibs, too! LOL!!
I liked the video! Thanks for sharing.
Mike, regardless of what the subject is I find your films always entertaining and most informative. But a “slip knot????” You’re right, it is fun. I immediately taught my grandson the same knot. Wonder how long it will take him to find the cat?
I am sure I will use this many times in the yard and in the house too. thanks
Thanks Mike this is the type of info I need to keep my trash neet.
My mom taught me that knot when I was just a kid and I’ve used it my entire life for bundling papers, twigs, etc. It’s so easy to pack the twigs once you’ve got that knot together, and no wasted string.
Mike,
If you are concerned about not wasting string, I don’t understand your rationale for using a slip knot that is not designed to be untied. Don’t you wind up cutting the string and wasting it????
Russ, Keep in mind, in the nursery business we often bundle plants that will be bundled for many weeks. String is cheap and is just a cost of business. So cost isn’t the issue, but in the field you don’t want scraps laying around or excess string laying in the mud. I often use knots I can untie, depending on what I am doing. In this case, I want the bundle to stay tied. A lose end can easily get untied in handling, then you have a mess to pick up and arrange. In other words, string is cheaper than time when you are in the heat of the digging season.
Thanks Mike, comes in handy when your by yourself. Merry Christmas!
THANK MIKE good to know we just got everything we need to do hardwood cutting we got a white red bub to start with
Mike….YOU LOOK AMAZING..
Donna, thank you. As you can guess, I feel great!
MIKE
I LIKE ALL THE INFO YOU SEND .I AM VERY INTERESTED IN THAT AIRLAYERING TOOL YOU DID THE VIDIO ON YOUTUBE HOPE TOO HERE MORE ON THIS DAMON
Damon, you can get those Clamshell Propagators here: http://airpropagator.com/
Good one Mike !
Thanks for your input on video. They are very helpful and eye awaking info. I will use them all the time.
Again Thanks for your help in learning the business of plants.
Thank you for the tip. The Township picks up our leaves and such. So many time I have to use another bag because I poke so many holes in the garbage bags. This way all they have to do is grab the rope and throw it on the truck. No losing sticks when they pick up my bags. Thank you Mike. Have a good Holiday and stay safe.
As one who uses a lot of knots, it is great to see a video so others may learn.
My family was in the furniture and appliance business when I was growing up. My dad was great with all the different knots to secure a load on a truck. My youngest brother is so fast with a truckers hitch, it is mind boggling.
I like the clove hitch since it is easy to set up with one hand while the other is holding the bundle. Though it takes about twice as much twine as the slip knot.
The trucker’s hitch is great for securing loads on a truck or in other situations. There are videos on the net tying the knot. Search for it.
Thanks for your site Mike.
Thank you Mike, you always have our best interests at heart. Anything that can make a job easier you come up with. Thanks again!
Mike, try the truckers knot. Tie a loop in one end, Lay your cuttings or whatever on the line, Put the loose end in a loop through the loop, pull tight then simply put the loose end into a loop around itself. It won’t come undone until you pull on the loose end. Extremely simply, can hold your bundle very tight and comes undone with a jerk and you can use it over and over and over., etc. I’ve used this for years and still use it regularly for other things, like tying plants to fences, stakes, trellises, etc. Wish I could do this for you in a video!
Thanks Mike, enjoyed watching you tie up that bundle. I learned that knot many years ago in the Boy Scouts
Yes it was helpful, Thanks Mike
Thank you Mike. I most definitly can use this info.
Looking good, Mike! and now I can tie a slipknot, thank you again
As gardeners we should always support and promote the use of safe natural products… teach others to get away from plastics that are made from oil and gas… which are toxic to the Earth’s Oceans and Life in general. I was happy to see that the rope used in the video was biodegradable. Happy to see that You (Mike) went out of your way to make a special point about the horrors of non-biodegradable twine in the nursery (and by logical extension, around the world). We have better ways — support farmers, buy natural products!
I,m ready to try your knot. I’m sure it will help me. I work in the garden all the time but at my age I’m afraid to try your growing plants from a slip to resell. Thanks for all your tips.
Great to get these tips from you Mike. I have copied a few and have them posted on my bulletin board for my husband, also Mike, and I to use in the spring.
I couldn’t see what you did with the string either, though it looks like a great solution.
I enjoyed the short video–it was perfect in explaining it clearly, and YES! You look great! Congrats on your weight loss, and healthier life!
Dear Mike,
I have enjoyed all your emails and directions for doing things. I am no good as a gardener, but always wanted to be. Too old now. My daughter is great at it, though. I want to give her your book for Christmas or sometime — but need to mail you a check — I won’t put my credit card # on the web. Let me know how I do this!
Thanks!
Gail, sure you can mail a check for my book; “Easy Plant Propagation”. Just send $19.95 to McGroarty Enterprises Inc., P.O. Box 338, Perry, Ohio 44081 and we’ll get one right out to you.
Love ur ideas. Keep up the good work
I’ve been using that knot for years and it will be very useful to lot’s of folk who just saw it for the first time. Good idea for a vidio. I think this ‘truckers’knot mentioned on some of your comments goes by a different name in Ma., but is also very useful. You look great and thanks for all you do.
Thanks!
What I noticed was you have lost a lot of weight! Way to go!
Awww bummer! – I coulda used that just a couple hours ago! I bundled up a bunch of ornamental grass cuttings. Boy, would that have come in handy! 😀
with i could have seen the first tie…but i think i figured it out. will help a lot and once i get good at it will save time and be used a lot.
Love to hear from you! Always great info.
And your passion for plants makes me smile.
Thanks for the knot lesson Mike. You are right, it is a handy little knot, and quick! I know a lot of other knots, but this one is perfect when you don’t want to use more string than necessary. The tip about putting the string in a bucket, with a hole in the lid was also very useful. I love all your videos – no bulls**t, straight to the point and always useful info.
Congrats on the weight loss! Huge achievement.
Here in Southern California we have Queen Date Palms and the frongs cannot be placed in the green waste bins. We cut them down and make 4 foot bundles and my husband uses this same technique to tie them. They are easier to haul out to the curb and the trash company will haul them away. Thanks for the video. You do look thinner!
I would like to know if this book is sent by mail or if it is just a e book . I think I would like to have it if it is a real book.
Mearleain, my book; “Easy Plant Propagation” is a hard copy book that we send you in the mail. Same for “Small Plants, Big Profits from Home”. That system comes with a hard copy book and 2 DVDs as well as some digital bonuses as well. http://freeplants.com/wanted.htm
Thanks for sharing.
Halleluyah for who u are.
Thanks Mike.
Great tip.
I agree about Weight Watchers. Awesome program.
Thanks Mike, I honestly didn’t know how to tie a slip knot. It will really come in handy next year. I always enjoy your videos.
Got it! Had to watch it three or four times though! 🙂
Thanks for all the great tips and tricks!
You need just a half minute more to show how it is undone.
An advantage of the trucker’s knot is its ease of release.
Maxine, this knot is not undone, but it cannot accidently come untied. If I wanted to undo it, I’d use different knot.
Thanks Mike……..I learned to tie a slip knot in Girl Scouts when I was alot younger.
I always enjoy your videos, Mike! I could have used this the other day when I was cleaning out my front flower garden to get ready for Christmas decorations. I just threw everything in a bucket instead. I am rooting some cuttings from the shrubs around my condo over the winter. Rhododendron, burning bush, and some kind of hydrangea or snowball bush. Can’t wait for spring to see if they’ve taken! 🙂
Mike, I like your slip knot video but I’d wish you’d share with us your weight loss, reducing diet. You look much slimmer in the knot video than in all of the others. What’s up with the skinnier Mike McGroaty?
Mike R.
Mike, thanks, I have lost weight. 65 pounds to be exact. Short answer is weight watchers and really do like the program. First thing that’s ever worked for me.
neat. I can almost make one. What sre you doing now as far gardening? What do we do this time of year? I’m ready for spring already.
Did you say playground gravel is good to use when growing cuttings? I did something wrong somewhere. I enjoy your tips and info.
Sue
Sue, right now I’m doing hardwood cuttings. New video about this next week.
I just happen to have a bunch of clipped strawberry vines I need to bundle. I was wondering how to do this easily without ripping up my hands. Thank you!
yes, it sure helped me. Thanks
I thought that was a great vidio on tying slip knots That will come in very handy thank you so much. Your site and vidios have been very helpful and i have learned alot of things from you and one of these days i will buy your stuff but i am on a fixed income and trying to save a little money now and then so i can get it so soon thanks again
your hand was in the way. i couln’t see where you put the string before you slid the rope tight.
Cool, but personally I prefer the truckers hitch (better for larger bundles and items) plus you can loop the last half hitch and be able to just pull the end and undo the hitch in a snap. 🙂
Will you please explain, simply, how to tie a trucker’s hitch?
I’m OK with a sheepshank, reef, half hitch and slip knot.
SURE DID IT WORKED REAL GOOD LIKE THESE YOUNG
FOLKS SAY ITS REAL COOL. THANKS GOOD TO LEARN.