Used Tired Raised Garden & Tree Ring

Step 6 Now you've made two projects out of one tire!

This picture shows a tree ring in place around a small shrub. We didn't need to cut this ring because the ring was so small.

Our rings have stayed in place through several mowings without any pinning or stakes. However, it would be easy enough to drill some holes to drive stakes into for holding the ring in place. We have also filled in some tree rings with mulch now and it stays put really well.

*Additional tip for "lawn stakes":
Everyone I know has more wire hangers than any reasonable person could sanely use. (I say sanely because I find it insanity inducing to untangle the tangle of wire hangers when doing laundry!) Wire hangers make GREAT lawn stakes. We've used them for years and since you will typically pick these up for free, they are also CHEAP! (That's one of my favorite words!)

Comments

[ourmoneypit]

Used tires can safely be used for all sorts of similar projects. One can even build a retaining wall with them. A huge retaining wall was built in South America by this method and the project was a success. Some folks combine the planter with the retaining wall and this is something I plan to do. Seems like a great way to cultivate. One caution, however: the metal in the tires can leach toxic chemicals into the ground over time. I personally would not use any tire where the cut metal was exposed and could leach in this way.

[artoftexas]

This is a GREAT Project! Thanks so much for submitting something that recycles those old tires and even makes use of the part of the tire you cut out! I have been wanting to put in raised beds and am going to do this as soon as possible. We have crape myrtles all around our driveway and it will make them so much more attractive to put a tire ring around them. We are going to paint ours with the paint that you can use on outdoor plastic furniture to dress them up a little. Maybe I'll add a picture when we are done. Thanks again!

[auntwrenny]

That sounds wonderful. Since you're growing Crape Myrtles I'm assuming you're down South somewhere. I envy you, being a "southern girl" myself I'm only in Iowa because my "yankee" husband dragged me up here. THE WINTERS ARE SOOOOO LONG!

[artoftexas]

There are trade-offs with being in the South tho'. I am in the TX Hill Country and we are lucky to have two growing seasons but the heat in the summer can be a killer! You just have to get up super early to get anything productive done in the gardening or do it anytime after 7 pm. Our lack of water the past two years has been real hard on our pasture but luckily we have a well and can water when it is really bad. We bought like fifteen crape myrtles when we first bought our house ten years ago and have a huge circular drive with a park like set up in the center. We surrounded the circular drive with crape myrtles and it is amazing how heavy the branches get with blooms!! I love our raised beds that my husband made with large rocks (we have tons of rock on our property!). He worked really hard to make the center area beautiful and we have a small water feature and an old above ground swimming pool that we converted to a koi/goldfish pond! I really love all the ideas I get on Instructables. This site ROCKS! P.S. I have to admit I miss the fall colors and crisp mornings in the north but I praise God I don't have to deal with snow anymore!!