This Instructable was created several years ago, before I had much more than an
inexpensive digital camera. If the weather cools off soon, I will update with much better
images. Thanks for your patience. :-)
Old tires in the garden. Okay, so they aren't for everyone. Hoity toity communities would choke on their own tongues if they saw one of these in your front yard, so keep in mind these are not the best choice if you live in an upscale area where people don't fart.
As I consider myself very lucky to live in the country, I have many of these 'planted' about our property. They are cute, colorful and best of all FREE. Why pay someone to do this, or even ship these things, when you can make one yourself? And yes, you CAN make it yourself, it is not hard if you choose a well worn tire
Tires. Tires. Tires. Plenty of them. Black rubber. Loads. In today's time you have to pay someone a few bucks to take them off your hands. Some companies have come up with the brilliant idea to make mulch pads out of them. Many garden hoses are made of recycled tires, what an excellent idea! If a tire can withstand travel and road conditions, surely it will be able to stand up in a garden!
Thanks to Arnell in Washington, who mentioned tires were 'planted' at every house in Idaho way back when. Worm Buds, Tire Planters, Tire Flowers, they have all sorts of names. How cool is that?
So you have a tire. Or two. Or a back yard full of them like we did. Ah, gotta love the internet. It's full of great ideas for these rounded rubber eyesores. Don't have any old tires? A local tire store will likely give them to you FREE of charge. My last stop at a small town tire store netted 9 great planters. The owner was so happy to send them down the road for free, he even loaded them for me! If you're laughing in ridicule, ask yourself what YOU are doing to help the environment.
One old tire, either on or off the rim and a few tools and you're all set to get busy.
Items required:
# Old tire, or well worn tire with a sweet spot
# Very sharp knife and possibly a knife sharpener
# Sidewalk chalk or light crayon
# Degreaser or cleaner. I use Simple Green
# A large rimmed cup or other template - used to trace circle shapes onto the tire
# Patience, determination and a good portion of elbow grease.
Please note: If you do not know where to find elbow grease, you are already in trouble.
DISCLAIMER
I will absolutely, positively, definitely not be held responsible for any accident(s) you may encounter while following these instructions. We have provided this page merely as an assistance to those wishing to learn how to make tire planters for gardening purposes. Use your head, use safety procedures and most of all, use common sense, folks. Do not try to force the knife through the rubber, you could very well cut your own fingers off. Be careful!
THESE IS ANOTHER AND SIMPLE WAY TO MAKE TIRE GARDEN
YOU CAN SIMPLY COLOR AND PLACE SOIL AND MANURE YOU TIRE CONTAINER IS READY.
