If you can get hold of some old car tyres, stack them up (whatever height is comfortable for you). They make great raised beds for flowers or vegetables. You can fill them part way up with old used compost and top up with new for economy. Great if you have trouble bending or kneeling.
Source: I found the idea in a gardening magazine years ago
This is so ironic. I tried this last year w/ 3 tires going down the side of my driveway. I had painted them and planted petunias. Even tho there were blossoms, the municipal inspector left a 'nasty-gram' telling me to remove the garbage from my driveway, specifying the tires! Of course they didn't have a procedure for the disposing of tires in there recycle policy - that would've made too much sense!
I have heard the same thing about tires leaching toxins into edible plants. I personally wouldn't use them for that, but for flowers and ornamentally I would. I like the hint of making them into steps....sounds like a good idea and a bit safer, maybe, than cement steps. Thanks for sharing.
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Tip: Tires for Raised Beds
Archived on 09/11/2008
Use old tires painted and stacked two deep for raised beds.
By Wakaliz
Feedback:
RE: Tires for Raised Beds
tyres can be used quite successfully. It has been said that tyres leach cadmium, not sure about the amounts or which foods are most affected. I have used tyres for potatoes for the last 5 years or so. I find them good from the point of view that I always know where the plants are and also for late crops when it is possible to protect the potatoes from the frosts, to a degree anyway. Not so good in the heat of summer as they dry out very quickly and crops such as potatoes can cook during very hot weather. We are just using some tyres to create steps/ somewhere to put stones and clay and will try planting heat loving herbs such as thyme into the tyres. Hopefully it will work well. I also find that we get a good gathering of snails inside the rim of the tyre. (07/08/2005)
