From the page: The tire has incredible second lives
Idea 3
Tire pool for deep irrigation
Gardening in tires has been a popular technique in rural Brazil for decades, but more experienced farmers discovered a secret: instead of filling the tire, by burying it, it becomes an underground reservoir that slowly releases water right at the roots. The physics is simple — the rubber prevents surface evaporation, and the water descends by gravity, forming a moisture pocket that roots reach as they grow.
What you need
- 1 old tire (a small car one works well)
- Shovel or hoe to dig
- Scissors or a strong utility knife
- Gravel or small pebbles
- Fertilized soil
- Seedling or seeds (works great with tomatoes, peppers and deep-rooted vegetables)
How to make it
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1
Cut off the top sidewall of the tire with the utility knife, creating a wide opening. This makes planting easier and keeps the high edge from shading small seedlings.
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2
Dig a shallow hole and sink the tire until it is almost completely buried, leaving only about 5 centimeters above ground. Buried, it becomes a "pool" that holds water near the roots instead of letting it run off the surface.
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3
Line the bottom with a layer of gravel. The pebbles create a porous space where rain or watering water accumulates without rotting the roots.
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4
Fill with fertilized soil and plant your seedling in the center. The roots will reach the stored moisture below as needed.
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5
Water generously in the first weeks — the excess is kept in the moisture pocket instead of waterlogging the surface, because the gravel distributes the water along the bottom.
Finishing touches
paint the visible part of the tire with enamel paint to give the bed a new look, or stack two partially buried tires in a curve to form a half-moon planter — great for making the most of a small backyard.
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