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Big Wheels Keep On Turning: Tire Gardens
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The summer growing season is in full swing. However, it is not too late to get many things off the ground. If you are looking for new and interesting ways to accomplish it, this might be the post for you. At our local community garden we have installed some container gardens utilizing discarded tires. This idea isn’t especially new, but may be new to you.
For the containers in these photos we left the tires ‘as is’ and primed and painted the outsides. The garden is at an elementary school, so we allowed the kids to decorate them. At your house you can turn them inside out to hide the treads, paint… or not, or cut out one side to reveal more planting space.
Not only will you be reducing the number of tires that end up in landfills, but growing in this way may actually promote growing. The tires hold in heat keeping the soil warm and the drainage is much better. The tires can be used to make beds, towers, or even retaining walls.
savour… thoughtful reuse
Get the rest after the jump…
Before you start:
One of the best things about the tire garden is that the tires are FREE. Visit your local tire shop and you will most likely find them happy if not eager to let you take the tires off their hands. In most cases, they actually pay to have them hauled off.
To cut the side wall off use a utility knife and cut around the outside circle of the tire. There is usually a line already there as part of the tire design.
Do not bother to try turning the tire inside out unless you remove one of the sides. It will be like wrestling an alligator otherwise.
Use the side ‘ring’ that you cut off to shield the base of other plants, shrubs, etc.
There is some debate about whether or not this type of gardening should be used for food. We found very little to substantiate that growing food in these containers would be harmful, but the final decision will be yours. You will find plenty of information around the web.
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Before checking out this post, I never thought of painting the tires in a tire garden. What a great idea!
Posted by: outdoor products | 08/03/2011 at 02:43 AM
I'm so glad you liked it. Hope to see you around the Nest often.
Posted by: Sam | 08/05/2011 at 01:42 PM
I see, you can also use a utility knife for gardening. Utility knives are so versatile.
Posted by: gerber knives | 08/16/2011 at 12:21 AM
This is really creative and it definitely looks good. I'll keep visiting for more of your posts.
Posted by: Nitrogen Tyre Inflation | 05/24/2012 at 07:17 AM
The idea is very unique. With this, we are able to contribute help to the nature by recycling the tires. If we will just throw these, pollution will be there. However, I am worried that maybe the tires will bring mosquitoes.
Posted by: Katherine Wright | 12/14/2012 at 04:12 AM
@Katherine I have not had any issues with mosquitoes. The tires and filled with soil and any standing water where the pesky devils breed is absorbed.
Posted by: Sam | 01/02/2013 at 04:02 PM
One of the best things about the tire garden is that the tires are recycled.
Posted by: cheap rubber tyres | 02/22/2013 at 10:34 AM
This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: tyres | 03/18/2013 at 08:49 AM