There are so many ways you can grow a humble spud. Just as there are so many fabulous ways to cook them! During a recent visit to our local community garden, I noticed that one of the gardeners were growing potatoes in tyres.
I have grown them this way before, when I lived in the city and was short on space. It is a very simple and excellent way to grow your spuds.
You will need a few old tyres. It’s good if they have been lying around in the weather for a while and are clean. I don’t recommend removing the tyres on your ( or anybody else’s) vehicle! The older the tyres are the better so then you wont have a problem with possible lead or other toxins leaching into your soil.
Place one tyre on the ground, throw your seed potatoes into the middle of it and cover up with a good heap of cow manure and straw. Make sure you use certified virus free seed potatoes. There are so many excellent tasting varieties, it will be difficult to choose just one….Maybe select a few.
When the green growth shoots out the top of the tyre, like in the picture, put another tyre on top and repeat the process with the cow manure and straw. Its a bit like making lasagna, lots of layers! My potato/tyre stack was around 5 tyres high. Make sure the stack is watered well and regularly.
When it is time to harvest your spuds, its just a matter of pulling the whole thing apart and reaping your rewards. I think this is an excellent way to grow your own potatoes if you don’t have a large garden, or even if you just have a balcony.
The hardest part will be trying to decide what delicious tasting treat to make!!
Tags: community gardens, potatoes, spuds, tyres
Hi,
Its certainly a choice but I have to admit that this particular method is one that I am very wary of. Tires contain a lot of heavy metals that when they start to degrade may leach.
All I can say is it might be wise to do a bit of research into this if these types of issues concern you.
Kind Regards
Belinda
We are HUGE proponents of growing potatoes in small spaces by growing up instead of out. Our own Potato Condo was a highlight in our garden this year.
We do, however, advise against growing your potatoes in tires (tyres) as they continue to release horrid toxins as long as they exist. We have done considerable research into different types of stacking methods and this one is definitely dangerous.
Grow your potatoes up… that’s for sure! 100% on track there… but do some research into the dangers of tires and look into some of the other great “Potato Condo” methods out there.
I’ve been having a lively debate with someone on another site (UBC Blotanical) about whether or not spuds actually form along the stalk as you cover it–whether you’re using tires, dirt, straw, or whatever. You don’t mention this part, but the assumption seems to be that one will find potatoes will above the soil line. What’s your take on this?
–Kate
BTW–left you a message over at Blotanical.
–kate
Thankyou for all the intersting and excellent comments.
Belinda, thankyou for the advice. It is appreciated.
Lovely Shibaguyz, Am looking forward to checking out your condos! They sound incredible.
Kate, Your comments are always welcome and you really keep me on my toes with the questions:) I will visit your plot over at Blotanical and leave you a message there.