How to Make Planters Out of Old Tires

Overview

Creating planters for your yard or patio is an inexpensive way to expand your garden. Old tires are an environmental nuisance--reusing your old tires as planters can help the environment while saving you money. Plain old tires are unattractive as planters, but with a few creative cuts and a few minutes of work, they become attractive planters. If you are concerned about chemicals in the rubber leaching into the soil, grow only ornamental plants in the planters and use other containers for your vegetable garden.

Step 1

Choose a tire that is well-worn with much of the tread worn down. Push on the shoulder area of the tire, the spot between the tread and inner hole. If it has some give, the tire will be easier to work with.

Step 2

Draw your cut line between the inner hole of the tire and its outer edge with chalk or white crayon. Draw an even circle or draw a shape that curves in toward the center and back out to the edge. Keep the design symmetrical.

Step 3

Cut out the tire section using a sharp knife or a jigsaw. Cut away from your body to avoid injury. Lift out the piece from the center once you have made your cut.

Step 4

Stand the tire up with the uncut side facing you. Put your foot through the center hole and into the bottom of the tire to hold it in place. Grasp the tire on the cut side with both hands and pull it toward you while pushing the tire out from the other side with your knee. This turns the tire inside-out. Turn the tire and continue turning it inside out until the entire tire is inside-out.

Step 5

Lay the tire on the ground, cut side up. Line the planter with landscaping cloth. Poke holes in the cloth for drainage. Fill your new planter with potting soil and place plants in it.