How to Use Old Tires

Old tires aren't just for swings anymore, as you see them popping up all over as planters, boarders and vegetable beds. Old tries are a great resource for a number of outdoor projects and can also be recycled for athletic fields and other unusual uses.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Cut up an old tire to make a saddle swing. This isn't your typical tree swing as the tire saddle is hung from the front and the back, producing a riding sensation instead of a swinging motion.
2. Line flower beds with old tires cut in half. Each tire looks like it has been buried in the ground half way and makes for an interesting border.
3. Use old tires as flower boxes. Lay them flat or stack them in two's to make planters for flowers. Consider painting the planters for more curb appeal.
4. Construct raised vegetable beds with old tires. A tire is the perfect elevation for growing vegetables like pumpkins, squash or cucumbers. Line the inside of the tire with landscaping plastic if you're concerned about the tire coming in contact with the vegetables.
5. Cut open an old tire and turn inside out for a nice variation on a planter. The tire will have an hour glass shape to it and when painted may not look like a tire at all.

Tips & Warnings

• Old tires are perfectly safe for planting since they have been exposed to high speeds and oxygen. This causes oxidation which prohibits rubber molecules from leaking out. This is called out-gassing and explains why new tires always have a strong odor and old tires do not.
• Your kids will probably agree that the very best use for an old tire is a tree swing.

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