This summer I am trying out the method of intensively growing potatoes in old tires. I wrote about it back in this post if you want more details. Essentially the goal is to grow more potatoes in less space, and reuse some old tires in the process.
So far, so good with the tires experiment. I am growing five different varieties of potatoes: Fingerling Russian Banana, Yukon Gold, Russet Norkotah, All Blue, and Red La Soda. I added the final tire to the ten stacks about a week ago. Time slipped away from me this summer, and I have a feeling I should have done that sooner, but better late than never? The tire stacks are now all three tires high.
I have surprised at how lovely the flowers are on a potato plant! Each variety seems to have a slightly different flower tint. They are suppose to be ready to harvest once the greens have all died back to yellow. So far they all look incredibly lush and happy, but the real test will be when we sort through the harvest. That update won’t be until probably September, when they are ready, but I will be sure to share the news of my this little experiment turned out.
UPDATE: Check out this later post about the harvest we got from our stacks!
The flowers are lovely. My taters haven’t bloomed yet. Looking forward to your update.
um my tire potatoes look way crummier than that. dangit.
Don’t despair – my zone might just be ahead of yours for the blooming. One tire didn’t even sprout because I waited too long to plant it.
Do you add more soil to the tires when you add another one? I am totally going to try this next summer. I’ll be interested to hear how much you harvest in each. Cool.
So sorry about Steve. At least no one can say you’re not a badass urban farmer!
Hi Jen – Yes, you add more soil with each tire layer. Leave at least 4″ of greens sticking out. I am curious to see if this method worked as well.
Thanks for your condolences about Steve. Still sad about that one 🙁
Aug, 4 tires high and more than 10″ of plant above the top tire. no more tires, got to get some more but the plants look great.
I gave up after the 4th tire, so mine are pretty gangely now on top. Hope we both get lots of potatoes!
Did you get a good yield? Mine was shit. Just curious.
My parents (who grew up on Midwestern farms) suggest filling the top two tires with hay. Not only will the potatoes be easier to harvest (and replant), but the spuds will be nicely shaped and easy to wash!
im doing it rite now and there going nuts
that looks very interesting and i would keep in mind that the tire is made from oil about 7 gallons in most tires
How did this turn out??
Here is the post about the harvest we got: http://www.hipchickdigs.com/2008/11/potato-tires-harvest/
It worked well, although there are concerns out there about whether anything leeches from the tires into the potatoes. Testing results from Mother Earth News were inconclusive, so it’s worth considering/researching for updated info.