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LARGE tyre for potatoes?
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LARGE tyre for potatoes?
There's a LARGE tractor tyre (i.e. with BIG tread) going for free in my neighbourhood. I thought about growing potatoes in it but wonder whether it might be too hot? I guess I could put it in the shade, but then maybe it wouldn't get enough sunlight?
It's at least 4' diameter and the internal area must be more than a foot diameter. Front to back must also be about a foot.
Thoughts, anyone?
It's at least 4' diameter and the internal area must be more than a foot diameter. Front to back must also be about a foot.
Thoughts, anyone?

KiwiSFGnewbie- Posts : 205
Join date : 2022-09-25
Location : Auckland, New Zealand
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
We have a large tractor tire in our yard around an exterior faucet. About 36inch diam, bit the interior diam to the rim is the majority, maybe 30 inch. That size, I'd plant. Only a foot inner diameter, maybe more appropriate for a tree ring. Or how about a large vining plant, squash, something trellised up. (Tire as weed control.)
Soose- Posts : 409
Join date : 2022-02-23
Location : North Alabama
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
Thanks Soose, unfortunately you snooze you lose, it was gone this morningSoose wrote:We have a large tractor tire in our yard around an exterior faucet. About 36inch diam, bit the interior diam to the rim is the majority, maybe 30 inch. That size, I'd plant. Only a foot inner diameter, maybe more appropriate for a tree ring. Or how about a large vining plant, squash, something trellised up. (Tire as weed control.)

KiwiSFGnewbie- Posts : 205
Join date : 2022-09-25
Location : Auckland, New Zealand
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
If you have multiple tires you can stack them as the potato grows, resulting in more potatoes. At least that is the theory. I had the tires, but not enough good soil to fill them. I wouldn't think there would be a heat problem with something as large as a tractor tire.KiwiSFGnewbie wrote:There's a LARGE tractor tyre (i.e. with BIG tread) going for free in my neighbourhood. I thought about growing potatoes in it but wonder whether it might be too hot? I guess I could put it in the shade, but then maybe it wouldn't get enough sunlight?
It's at least 4' diameter and the internal area must be more than a foot diameter. Front to back must also be about a foot.
Thoughts, anyone?
markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 859
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
OK, thanks Mark. If I ever see one again (never have before around here) I won't hesitate! I just thought, maybe all that black rubber sitting out in the summer sun might cook the potatoes as they grow 

KiwiSFGnewbie- Posts : 205
Join date : 2022-09-25
Location : Auckland, New Zealand
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
I know people do use tires for potatoes, but I can't get over where they have been. The amount of lead dust in tire shops from the old lead weights is amazing.
For early-season potatoes, our 6-7" of Mel's Mix does fine. For mid-season or late-season potatoes a 12-15" bed will work. Most potatoes are grown in the lowest zone, followed by a second zone for late-season varieties.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/potato-towers-high-yields/?fbclid=IwAR1oC0PU0ubq0yv38fJ98VsUPsNdTfAUNBJHO2iZP0aM6m4m0RSWuyRcg70
Imbedded video of an actual experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcCRYm4kCUs
For early-season potatoes, our 6-7" of Mel's Mix does fine. For mid-season or late-season potatoes a 12-15" bed will work. Most potatoes are grown in the lowest zone, followed by a second zone for late-season varieties.
https://www.gardenmyths.com/potato-towers-high-yields/?fbclid=IwAR1oC0PU0ubq0yv38fJ98VsUPsNdTfAUNBJHO2iZP0aM6m4m0RSWuyRcg70
Imbedded video of an actual experiment: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EcCRYm4kCUs
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
Well, well, well. What an interesting analysis article! Who the heck knew? And very good point about the lead...
KiwiSFGnewbie- Posts : 205
Join date : 2022-09-25
Location : Auckland, New Zealand
sanderson likes this post
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
As I used to bike around, I would come across those lead weights all of the time and I started to collect them. There were so many on the road, I couldn't help but wonder how badly people really needed them. I wouldn't think much lead dust lingered on the tires -- it all got washed into the waterways! In CA, some (all?) of the weights are now made from alternative metals, like copper.sanderson wrote:I know people do use tires for potatoes, but I can't get over where they have been. The amount of lead dust in tire shops from the old lead weights is amazing.
markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 859
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
I didn't have time for a deep dive on the subject, but here are two short articles. Children climbing around old tires was a source of lead poisoning back when I worked with lead-poisoned children. Children 0-5 years of age were the most vulnerable.
https://healthybuilding.net/blog/461-on-tire-wastes-in-playgrounds#_edn8
On ground rubber or tire crumb: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-science-and-technology
https://healthybuilding.net/blog/461-on-tire-wastes-in-playgrounds#_edn8
On ground rubber or tire crumb: https://www.epa.gov/lead/lead-science-and-technology
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
markqz wrote:In CA, some (all?) of the weights are now made from alternative metals, like copper.
While visiting our son and his family in southern California with our truck and RV last year, I had to get the truck tires balanced due to a vibration. The guy that did the balancing showed me the large size of the weight he had to put on one of the front tires, and it was lead. I had heard something hit the front fender liner while we were driving up highway 58, but thought it was a stone. Apparently it was that weight coming off, so somewhere in the Mojave desert is at least one very large lead tire weight from Ohio....

"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"
sanderson likes this post
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
Ha! Back in the 90s I visited my old grade school for remedial kindergarten training. They had put in an amazing, 20 foot wide, castle-like play structure, completely made from old tires!sanderson wrote: Children climbing around old tires was a source of lead poisoning back
markqz
Forum Moderator- Posts : 859
Join date : 2019-09-02
Location : Lower left hand corner
sanderson likes this post
Re: LARGE tyre for potatoes?
markqz wrote:Back in the 90s I visited my old grade school for remedial kindergarten training.


"In short, the soil food web feeds everything you eat and helps keep your favorite planet from getting too hot. Be nice to it." ~ Diane Miessler, "Grow Your Soil"

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