I also use PVC and plastic mesh a lot, but I use it for trellising, which means taking it apart and putting it back together every year. I’m slowly trying to replace the zip-ties with those velcro tomato ties you can usually find in the spring. It needs a long enough piece to wrap around at least 3 times, but it’s reusable and doesn’t break down in the sun.
Not sure if that would help in your garden, but thought I’d toss it out there.
The velcro tomato ties ... I’m going to have to keep an eye out for those. I wonder if I bought a roll of velcro & cut my own zip tie replacements, if that would work. The zip tie replacement is tedious - I hate it; however, the fencing works SO well, it’s worth it in the long run. Making the upkeep job easier would be a welcome change! Thanks for yet another great suggestion!
BTW, I have two Dragon Egg cuke plants ... I bought seeds & they germinated. The two seedlings were different - one was rather hale & hearty, the other was slow to grow & sort of puny. I only grew two (had another cuke variety I was trying too & didn’t want to be overrun with cukes) so I was worried about the puny one. When they went in the garden, I protected them (mesh/row cover cylinder for each plant) & slowly, Mr. Puny started looking better - got a few new leaves that were green, a bloom, started to grow. I am happy to say that while the overall plant is smaller than the ‘hale & hearty’ one, Mr. Puny is now growing like gangbusters, climbing the trellis, & blooming away! :-) I am anxious to get some actual fruit from these plants - looks like some little green, round bumps where the plants were flowering, so there should be some “eggs” on the vines before too long!