If your garden space is limited, its topsoil is shallow or contaminated or the soil is poor, you may find it difficult to successfully grow tomatoes directly in the ground and choose to try methods like container or raised bed gardening. You can put old tires to good use by placing them in your garden to grow tomatoes or other crops above ground level, lengthen the growing season and minimize the presence of weeds.
Cut out each tire's sidewalls with a utility knife. You can leave the tire sidewall that is against the ground intact, if you prefer. Removing the sidewalls provides more space inside the tire.
Place the tires on the garden bed and run the end of a stick or implement around the outside of the tire to trace its position and boundary.
Turn over the soil with a spade in the area where the tires will go. If soil contaminants or a lack of topsoil are your main problems, only turn over a few inches of soil and use a stack of two or three tires. If you are using tires to lengthen the growing season, turn the soil over several inches deep and work in an amendment like well-rotted compost or manure.
Dig a depression at least 4 inches deep to accommodate the tire. Set the tire in the depression and pile some soul around the outside of the tire to secure it.
Stack one or two additional tires, as desired, on top of the first tire.
Fill the tires with a nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. If you are using poorly draining garden soil, amend it with up to 50 percent aged manure, compost or other organic matter to improve drainage and fertility. Leave a few inches or more of space at the top of the uppermost tire.
Remove all but the top cluster of leaves and bury the tomato root mass and stem so only the top leaves and a small portion of the stem remain above the soil. Place the stem nearly horizontally if it is long and spindly. Gently firm the soil around the stem and water the tomato in thoroughly.
Cover the tires and tomatoes with clear plastic sheeting during cold weather and at night until nighttime temperatures are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. Take the plastic off on hot, sunny days to avoid overheating the tomatoes.
Water the tomatoes deeply whenever the soil feels dry 1/2 inch below the soil's surface. Tomatoes in tires generally require more frequent watering than tomatoes in the ground.
Place a trellis, cage or stake in the tire with the tomato shortly after planting. Placing the support early minimizes injury to the tomato plant when you push the support into the soil. If you are using a stake or trellis that portions of the tomato plant will not automatically drape over as the plant grows and fruits develop, loosely tie the main stem or stems of the tomato to the support with soft, stretchy cloth or plant ties.
Fertilize the tomatoes regularly after they starts to set fruit. Remove weeds when you see them. Check for diseases and insects regularly.
Whitewash or paint the tires a light color when temperatures begin to warm considerably. The dark tire color can absorb heat and easily overheat the soil around the tomato plants.
Things You Will Need
- Utility knife
- Leather gloves
- Shovel or hoe
- Soil amendments, if needed
- Clear plastic sheeting
- Cage, trellis or stake
- Plant ties
- Whitewash or light-colored paint
- If you are worried that the tire stack will slide out of place, pound three or more stakes into the ground around the tires to hold them in place.
- Over an extended period, minerals like zinc and cadmium may begin to leach out of old tires, potentially posing a health risk.
- University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service: Gardening in Small Spaces
- University of Idaho College of Agriculture: Tomatoes for the Home Garden
- Ohio State University Extension: Growing Cucumbers, Peppers, Squash and Tomatoes in Containers
- Mother Earth News: Are Old Tires Safe to Use as Planters?
- George Doyle/Stockbyte/Getty Images