How to Make Planters Out of Old Tires

Recycled tire planters change worn out rubber rims into colorful blooms to hold your flowers and vegetables. It may seem like a simple idea, but the execution can be tricky. This flower planter design was displayed in workshops during the West Tennessee Research and Education Center's annual "Summer Celebration" in Jackson, TN. Choose a tire with worn patches to make it easier to work with. If you do not have a tire, check with your local tire dealer. Old tires can be expensive to dispose of legally, so many tire stores are willing to give them away for free.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Worn tire
• Sharp knife
• Chalk
• Outdoor spray paint
• 6-inch circle stencil (substitute with a cookie cutter or large circular can)
• Towel

Shaping the Tire Planter

1. Lay the tire flat on the ground. Position the circle stencil (or substitute item to trace) in the center of the tire's top border (between the donut hole center and the treaded rim). Trace the circle with chalk. Move the stencil next to the new circle. Trace it again. Continue until you have a border of chalk circles around the tire's top border.

2. Look at the pattern you have drawn on the tire edge. Notice the scalloped border facing the donut hole. Ignore the rest of the circle; wipe away the bottom half of the circles if necessary. Focus only on the scalloped border closest to the donut hole.

3. Cut along the scalloped border next to the center hole. Place the tip of the knife at the scalloped chalk line. Saw gently back and forth until the tip slides into the rubber. Continue sawing slowly around a rounded scallop. As you free the rubber "petal" gently peel it up toward you.

4. Continue cutting around the entire chalk border. Pull each rubber petal up toward you as you cut it free. Remove the interior rubber piece leftover and discard it.

5. You should have a border pointing toward the center hold of your tire with rubber "flower petals." Make a cut between each petal straight back to the metal belt.

Flipping the Tire

6. Flip the entire rubber tire inside out. Begin by pulling two rubber petals back toward you as you press your knee into the side of the tire. Push the tread in as you pull the petals out. Continue pulling out a third petal and forcing the tread to flip in toward the center.

7. Work slowly around the entire tire. Pull one or two petals toward you as you flip the tread inside.

8. When you have the tire flipped halfway inside out, apply your weight to help you flip the rest. Stomp on the tread as you pull the next set of petals up toward you.

9. The rubber petals on a flipped tire will point out instead of in. Paint the top of the petals and the outside edge of the planter. Fill the inside with soil and plants.

10. Place the tire planter on top of its metal rim for a raised effect. Paint the rim green to resemble a stem. Paint the tire a bright color to look like a flower.

Tips & Warnings

• Skinny tires are easier to flip than wide ones.
• Be very careful when cutting the tire rubber. Go slowly to avoid slipping and injuring yourself.

References

• Stacy McLeroy, "Recycled Planters" Summer Celebration Workshop, West Tennessee Research and Educational Center, Jackson, Tenn.