My mum had one of those tyre planters that was made out of the whole wheel in the early 80's, she bought it though, so not sure of how it was made. I use a couple of tyres for planting potatoes in, it's easy to earth them up as they grow, and the bonus is there is virtually no digging to harvest the potatoes, just lift off the tyres.
I have a couple of ideas of how to turn the tyres inside out, the first you can try yourself, the second you will have to find a friendly 4X4 owner that actually takes their car off road. Firstly, you can try softening the rubber by putting the entire thing in the bath and filling the bath with VERY hot water, boiling if you can manage it. Then you and a friend stand on the smaller of the cut edges, and use a crowbar apiece to try and lever the thing up.
The second one needs a friendly 4X4 owner that has either a turfer or a winch (both are used for recovering vehicles stuck in mud, I've used both during my time as navigator/spotter/gate bitch/dogsbody). Attach smaller end of tyre to immovable object (such as recovery point on ordinary car using a strop). Attach other end of tyre to winch/turfer, using strop inside bit of tyre that you want to turn inside-out. Start to winch or start working the turfer (very hard work but you won't get bingo wings doing it regularly!!). Do this SLOWLY, as when the tyre goes, it will go with a pop, make sure that the person helping is experienced in using the equipment, as this will be easy compared to unsticking a ton's worth of car from mud. Recovery equipment can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Some beer usually goes down well with the off-roading fraternity. That or offer to be a gate bitch next time they go out (you will enjoy it, as it's not as bad as it sounds, and you will get to see some fantastic sights, and the banter that goes on via the CB has literally reduced me to tears of laughter sometimes).
Interesting idea to put the tyre in the bath. Will see on sunday at Sholing study centre in Southampton if any of the volunteers can help out first before trying that method.
As I have not got house paint just yet. Do you think it is best to put the tyre in the right place fill with compost/ top soil and some plants them paint it when weather is warmer as the tyres needs to dry? Or is it best to paint them before filling with the compost/ top soil they are in a dry place?
Personally, I'd paint it before filling it, as you wouldn't want to get paint in the compost. I'd also paint inside it to stop some of the stuff used to harden the rubber from leaching out. Not sure, but I think the paint would be less harmful to plants than some of the grot that goes into making tyres. You might also need two coats to get the depth of colour you want (a bit like doing your nails). I'd also have a look and see if you can get something to waterproof the finished article, or try washing the paint off with a hosepipe, just so you know it's OK - you don't want to get back from the garden centre in the spring with a load of plants to put in there, and find the colour's run all over the drive / patio. I've found paint has a habit of not sticking where it's supposed to and staining bits where it's not supposed to be!
If you are using masonry paint in bright pastel colours, you will probably need 2 or even 3 coats; the more solid the colour the less likely it is to look patchy in 9 months time, just when you want them to look their best. If someone on freecycle has some Acrylic (not solvent or polyurethane )clear varnish, you could slap a layer of that on top of the masonry paint. But I think you will be ok; you can always put a new layer of paint on each spring. Would certainly paint them initially without compost in; so much easier to handle. Just lay out some plastic sheet first. Am looking forward to seeing finished product.
So went to Sholing study centre and planted lots of tree saplings and after lunch managed to ask for help with the tyre planters.
Had a number of men with muscles and brute force and between us we managed to turn the tyre into an amazing planter. It did take quite a while and several attempts but success at last!
So big thanks to those guys for helping.
Here's how it look now!
The top view and then the main side view.
That is one amazing planter - giant size what a lot of space to plant up and fill with compost/ top soil.
Will give a good wash to make look better/ cleaner than with dirt patches.
That has taken a lot of effort to get one tyre done but sure worth it.
This planter is really elegant; a modern take on a classical stone urn. I especially like the fact that it has dictated it's own shape. (stop before you get too pretentious artjak)
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That must of taken a lot of tyres to make a slope out of them?
Was that by stacking them?
Thats a good idea to have plants that trail over the side of the tyres then you get the colour that way by the flowers.
Anybody know what plants to put into the tyres? I was thinking something like spiky looking grass and some sort of colour.
My mum had one of those tyre planters that was made out of the whole wheel in the early 80's, she bought it though, so not sure of how it was made. I use a couple of tyres for planting potatoes in, it's easy to earth them up as they grow, and the bonus is there is virtually no digging to harvest the potatoes, just lift off the tyres.
I have a couple of ideas of how to turn the tyres inside out, the first you can try yourself, the second you will have to find a friendly 4X4 owner that actually takes their car off road. Firstly, you can try softening the rubber by putting the entire thing in the bath and filling the bath with VERY hot water, boiling if you can manage it. Then you and a friend stand on the smaller of the cut edges, and use a crowbar apiece to try and lever the thing up.
The second one needs a friendly 4X4 owner that has either a turfer or a winch (both are used for recovering vehicles stuck in mud, I've used both during my time as navigator/spotter/gate bitch/dogsbody). Attach smaller end of tyre to immovable object (such as recovery point on ordinary car using a strop). Attach other end of tyre to winch/turfer, using strop inside bit of tyre that you want to turn inside-out. Start to winch or start working the turfer (very hard work but you won't get bingo wings doing it regularly!!). Do this SLOWLY, as when the tyre goes, it will go with a pop, make sure that the person helping is experienced in using the equipment, as this will be easy compared to unsticking a ton's worth of car from mud. Recovery equipment can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Some beer usually goes down well with the off-roading fraternity. That or offer to be a gate bitch next time they go out (you will enjoy it, as it's not as bad as it sounds, and you will get to see some fantastic sights, and the banter that goes on via the CB has literally reduced me to tears of laughter sometimes).
Interesting idea to put the tyre in the bath. Will see on sunday at Sholing study centre in Southampton if any of the volunteers can help out first before trying that method.
As I have not got house paint just yet. Do you think it is best to put the tyre in the right place fill with compost/ top soil and some plants them paint it when weather is warmer as the tyres needs to dry? Or is it best to paint them before filling with the compost/ top soil they are in a dry place?
Any idea which way is best?
Personally, I'd paint it before filling it, as you wouldn't want to get paint in the compost. I'd also paint inside it to stop some of the stuff used to harden the rubber from leaching out. Not sure, but I think the paint would be less harmful to plants than some of the grot that goes into making tyres. You might also need two coats to get the depth of colour you want (a bit like doing your nails). I'd also have a look and see if you can get something to waterproof the finished article, or try washing the paint off with a hosepipe, just so you know it's OK - you don't want to get back from the garden centre in the spring with a load of plants to put in there, and find the colour's run all over the drive / patio. I've found paint has a habit of not sticking where it's supposed to and staining bits where it's not supposed to be!
If you are using masonry paint in bright pastel colours, you will probably need 2 or even 3 coats; the more solid the colour the less likely it is to look patchy in 9 months time, just when you want them to look their best. If someone on freecycle has some Acrylic (not solvent or polyurethane )clear varnish, you could slap a layer of that on top of the masonry paint. But I think you will be ok; you can always put a new layer of paint on each spring. Would certainly paint them initially without compost in; so much easier to handle. Just lay out some plastic sheet first. Am looking forward to seeing finished product.
Hi all
So went to Sholing study centre and planted lots of tree saplings and after lunch managed to ask for help with the tyre planters.
Had a number of men with muscles and brute force and between us we managed to turn the tyre into an amazing planter. It did take quite a while and several attempts but success at last!
So big thanks to those guys for helping.
Here's how it look now!
The top view and then the main side view.
That is one amazing planter - giant size what a lot of space to plant up and fill with compost/ top soil.
Will give a good wash to make look better/ cleaner than with dirt patches.
That has taken a lot of effort to get one tyre done but sure worth it.
Can I ask if anyone knows what paint was used on the bright and pastel coloured tyres in the pictures I posted before?
Any help
This planter is really elegant; a modern take on a classical stone urn. I especially like the fact that it has dictated it's own shape. (stop before you get too pretentious artjak)
Hello artjak
What does that mean?
Is that saying leave the tyre alone don't paint it, as it looks nice how it has come out - just clean it up.