How to Grow Vegetables in Tires

There are several good reasons to grow vegetables in tires. For one, it's a good way to recycle old tires so they don't end up in a landfill. Using tires also saves time and energy, as you don't have to plow or till up a garden space. Finally, almost anybody has enough space to grow vegetables in tires. All you need is a small spot to put the tire, and you're ready to get started.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Protective gloves
• Utility knife
• Plastic garbage bag
• Gravel
• Rich soil or compost
• Chicken wire

Instructions

1. Put on safety goggles and protective gloves. Cut the sidewall out of one side of the tire with a sharp utility knife. Hold the tire flat on the ground as you cut it. Do this with as many tires as you want to plant vegetables in. Place the tire with the cut side up in the location of your choice. Cut the rubber piece you have leftover into four equal chunks.

2. Spread a garbage bag out over the hole in the bottom of the tire. The sides of the bag should extend into the tire. Place the four rubber chunks inside the tire to help hold the bag in place.

3. Place a light layer of gravel in the bottom of the tire you're going to grow vegetables in. The gravel will help provide drainage for the plants.

4. Fill the tire with rich soil or compost. Fill the inside of the tire first, then the middle, all the way to the top of the tire. Plant your vegetable plants or seeds in the tire. You can grow carrots, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, peppers and most any vegetables you want. Crops like green beans and peas won't work because they need a lot of space to grow in.

5. Water your vegetable garden in the tire as necessary to keep it moist. Stake up tall plants such as tomatoes. Fertilize the plants as needed.

6. Place chicken wire around the perimeter of the tire to ward off pests such as deer and ground hogs.

Tips & Warnings

• Get old tires at a junk yard or tire dealer for a few bucks, or even for free. The garbage bag in the bottom of the tire will help hold the dirt in place. It will also discourage grass and weeds from growing up through the soil and into the tire. Grow vegetables in tires and you'll be able to plant earlier in the season; the soil or compost in the tire will warm up faster than the ground below. The black rubber absorbs and holds the sun's heat.

References

• A New Use for Old Tires