Growing earthy potatoes in stackable tire planters
Growing potatoes in stackable tire planters is a fun and productive project. This method not only recycles old tires but also maximizes your gardening space. It provides a simple, cost-effective way to grow a bountiful potato harvest with little effort. This guide will show you how to prepare your tire planters and care for your potato plants to ensure a successful harvest.
Choosing the right tires
Choosing the right tires is key to building your potato planter. You will need three to four tires for each stack. Make sure the tires are clean and do not contain any harmful chemicals that might leach into the soil and harm the plants. Stick to regular car or truck tires and avoid those from heavy machinery as they might have been contaminated.
Preparing your planting site
Choose a sunny spot in your garden for the tire planters; potatoes require a minimum of six hours of direct sunlight each day. Remove any weeds and debris from the site. Place cardboard or landscape fabric to inhibit weed intrusion into the tires and assist in maintaining soil moisture. This bit of preparation creates an optimal environment for potato growth.
Filling tires with soil and planting
Fill each tire with a mixture of garden soil, compost, and well-rotted manure to promote healthy growth. Before planting, make sure the soil pH is between five and seven. Two days before planting, cut seed potatoes into pieces with at least one eye. This allows the cut surfaces to callous. Plant these pieces three inches deep in the soil of each tire, spaced about 12 inches apart.
Watering and care
Potatoes need a steady supply of moisture to grow their best, so make sure to water your plants regularly, particularly during dry spells. That said, don't go overboard with watering, as this can cause root rot diseases such as blight or scab that can wipe out your crop before it even gets a chance to fully mature.
Adding more tires as plants grow
Once your potato plants are about eight inches tall, place another tire on top and fill it with more soil, ensuring the top leaves are still exposed for photosynthesis. This hilling process stimulates tuber production along the buried stems. Repeat until you have three or four tiers. Too many tiers can shade the lower layers, reducing yields by limiting sunlight.
