4 Tire Garden Ideas for Your Yard: How to Use Tires as Planters

A tire garden is an upcycling project in which gardeners convert used or recycled tires into planters that can hold various plants, from vegetables to flowering shrubs. Recycled tires make great planters because they’re sturdy and withstand cold temperatures and heavy wind and rain. They’re also deep enough for plants to establish roots, and you can drill holes in them to promote water drainage. As the tires heat up in the sun, the soil dries faster, keeping the dirt warm and preventing root rot. It’s also easier to control weed growth in tire gardens, as the contained environment doesn’t allow weeds to spread as easily.

You can set up a tire garden by filling a used tire with soil then planting seeds or plants of your preference. Stack the tires to create raised beds or use single tires as separate and contained planters. Add a pop of color by painting the outside of the tire planters to match your garden design or landscaping.

Here’s how to set up a tire planter for your home garden:

• Choose the right size tire. You can use any type of tire as a planter. However, tires vary in size, so select the one that best fits your plant needs and yard size. For example, large tractor tires are usually about fifteen inches wide, whereas standard car tires are around twelve inches wide. Thus, you can use tractor tires to grow multiple plants or vegetables and standard tires for growing single potted plants.
• Find a home for the tire planter. After selecting your tire, place your tire in your garden. Pick a site that receives the right amount of sunlight for your plants: For example, if you’re growing a plant that requires full sun, choose a spot that gets five to six hours of sunlight. It’s important to choose a spot for your tire before adding soil because it is heavy to move, and moving it after potting can unsettle your plants and leave a dirt trail.
• Prepare the soil for planting. Once you’ve selected a spot for your tire planter, fill your tire with soil, add your desired plant, and water to help settle the soil.

Edible plants, such as vegetables and herbs, are safe to grow in tires. Tires serve as great planters for vegetable gardens because they keep the soil warm and provide ample room for root growth. Sweet potatoes and peppers grow well in tires because they prefer warm soil environments. An assortment of flowering plants, such as petunias and pansies, and a variety of shrubs are also safe to grow in tires.

While rubber tires are made of different chemicals, it’s unlikely that they will leak into the soil. Tires release these chemicals upon incineration, not when they’re dormant. Additionally, the most concerning chemicals in tires—polycyclic hydrocarbons and heterocyclic aromatic amines—are not water-soluble, so it’s highly unlikely that they will leak into your soil or veggies.

If you’re using a tire for a vegetable or herb garden, line it with a garden tarp before adding the soil. The tarp will create a barrier between the tire material and the plant, preventing the tire from touching the soil and the plant's roots.

There are many ways to use tires to adorn your garden and pot your plants. The next time you change your car tires, consider using the tires in your garden design in the following ways:

1. 1. Hanging tire planter: A hanging tire planter has the same construction as a tire swing, making it an easy DIY project for builders of all levels. To make your hanging tire planter, drill two holes at the top of the old tire on opposite sides, and knot a thick rope through each hole. Plant your flowers in the inner portion of the tire, so the plants can grow and hang down.
2. 2. Herb garden: You can use a recycled tire to create a contained herb garden. Certain herbs—such as lavender, dill, fennel, and catnip—grow well in warm soils and climates. In a tire, it’s easier to grow those that perform warm environments, instead of those that thrive in cool environments, such as cilantro, chives, and parsley.
3. 3. Retaining wall: You can build a retaining wall using old spare tires to prevent erosion. Tires are easy to stack and layer, making constructing a retaining wall simple and cost-effective. You can add flowers or short shrubs to the tires to add colorful blooms and foliage to the wall.
4. 4. Compost bin: Tires also work well as compost bins, as they are deep and hold many materials. Add organic waste, such as fruit peels, old vegetables, teabags, and plant cuttings, into the tire. Mix in dirt, and over time, the waste will turn into compost you can use in your garden.

Grow your own garden with Ron Finley, the self-described "Gangster Gardener." Get the MasterClass Annual Membership and learn how to cultivate fresh herbs and vegetables, keep your house plants alive, and use compost to make your community—and the world—a better place.