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Car Tyres on Allotments, Yes or No?

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  • #1

    Car Tyres on Allotments, Yes or No?

    Hi
    I've had my plot for 2 years now, it's beginning to look like a proper plot, just like my old granddad used to have. I recently decided to use old car tyres as planters, I've got about 20. I'm going to paint them and use them for spuds. Great idea I thought. Now nobody has objected directly to my bringing the tyres onsite, but I get the impression that some plotholders do object. Having read the site rules it does state "No Car Tyres".
    Should I get rid or try to disguise them?
    Tags: None
  • #2
    LOL! If the rules state 'No car tyres' don't be surprised by the funny looks. Check with those in charge, and see if you can 'bend' the rules. If not, are you anywhere near me? I'll collect 'em and grow my Spuds in 'em!!
    All the best - Glutton 4 Punishment
    Freelance shrub butcher and weed removal operative.

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    • #3
      If it says no tyres; then no tyres. Either ask them to reconsider, question this at a meeting, or you might risk being kicked off. Is it worth it?

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      • #4
        How do you disguise a car tyre?? and what do you need planters for on a allotment? i do not understand so i would get rid of them pronto...jacob
        What lies behind us,And what lies before us,Are tiny matters compared to what lies Within us ...
        Ralph Waide Emmerson

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        • #5
          I don't know alot about it but......

          My Mad allotment partner was going to grow potatoes in car tyres but has found out they leak out Cadmium which is very posionous. As i say i don't really know anything about it. Have had a dig around the net and not really found out much either. Maybe someone wiser will know more.

          PS. Mad allotment partner has since not planted any of her £40 worth of spuds.
          Growing vegetables and flowers to share.
          www.takeoneseed.wordpress.com

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          • #6
            I grow my strawberries in old tyres and since planting some up last year have now noticed that a couple of other plot holders have got hold of a load on their plots, particularly the ones which have flooding down the bottom end as they can use them as small raised beds. Hadn't thought about anything leaching but doing a bit of googling there does seem to be concerns in some quarters.

            Re the OP, if it says don't use them then I wouldn't, any idea why the ban?

            Some of us live in the past, always talking about back then. Some of us live in the future, always planning what we are going to do. And, then there are those, who neither look behind or ahead, but just enjoy the moment of right now.

            Which one are you and is it how you want to be?

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            • #7
              My two favoutite gardeners are Bob Flowerdew and Geof Hamilton. Bob advocates using car tyres stuffed with straw and filled with compost for all sorts of things. Geoff wouldn't have agreed with bob in this instance I feel!
              I'm sure i've heard mention from our own Sewer Rat of using tyres in windswept areas to give some protection to courgettes and suchlike.

              I don't think the committee would object to two or three being used as an experiment................but with 20, in an area that expressly forbids car tyres you might be thought to be pushing your luck a bit?
              My Majesty made for him a garden anew in order
              to present to him vegetables and all beautiful flowers.- Offerings of Thutmose III to Amon-Ra (1500 BCE)

              Diversify & prosper


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              • #8
                I would be wary of using them. I think I read somewhere that they can contain nasty hydrocarbons that can leach into the soil. Think of all the oil and other nasties that they can have picked up on the road as well as the chemicals used in their manufacture

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                • #9
                  Best get rid of the tyres,you'll probably have to pay as well.I wouldn't risk losing my plot

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                  • #10
                    I have, as Snadger says used car tyres a lot - principally used to protect young courgette, squash and pumpkin plants from cold winds after planting out - up to 200 plants at my peak. The majority now form a windbreak wall down one side of my tunnel but I will continue to use them as I have been as and when required. That said, they are only for plant protection - I plant my tatties in the ground.
                    Rat

                    British by birth
                    Scottish by the Grace of God

                    http://scotsburngarden.blogspot.com/
                    http://davethegardener.blogspot.com/

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                    • #11
                      Originally posted by klf_1956 View Post
                      the site rules it does state "No Car Tyres".
                      Should I get rid or try to disguise them?
                      Get rid of them. Those are the rules that you agreed to, you're not above everyone else, even if you have got a neat allotment. And after just 2 years you can hardly go around dictating the rules to everyone!

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                      • #12
                        If you really want to use them then have a chat with the site secretary.It's surely not worth the risk of losing your plot for them?!
                        I seem to remember being told the issue with tyres on plots comes down to how will they be disposed of when you either vacate your plot or just don't want them anymore as opposed to how they look whilst in use.
                        I'm guessing you wouldn't be silly enough to try burning them but I think peeps in the past have
                        the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

                        Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx

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                        • #13
                          the eden project used tyres to plant in, woulnt have thought they would if there was issues, I have just planted some potatoes in one, so now I'm a bit worried?

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                          • #14
                            I have about 40 on the allotment which are used in different ways at different times of the year,some for spuds,some as mini herb beds some as temporary windbreaks/microclimates I also use them to weight down sheet mulch overwinter stop the daleks blowing over and have lined them stacked up with black bags to make temporary water butts.
                            If they are toxic why are we recycling them into flooring for childrens play areas.
                            that said if they're banned on your site they have to go.
                            don't be afraid to innovate and try new things
                            remember.........only the dead fish go with the flow

                            Another certified member of the Nutters club

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by snakeshack View Post
                              I have about 40 on the allotment which are used in different ways at different times of the year,some for spuds,some as mini herb beds some as temporary windbreaks/microclimates I also use them to weight down sheet mulch overwinter stop the daleks blowing over and have lined them stacked up with black bags to make temporary water butts.
                              If they are toxic why are we recycling them into flooring for childrens play areas.
                              that said if they're banned on your site they have to go.
                              As much as I'd hate to think it, they're probably being re-used in any place possible due to the massive amount of them & also to reduce costs.

                              Besides, walking/falling down onto a surface isn't really the same as getting the toxins out of it and growing in that medium?
                              Last edited by chris; 06-05-2010, 06:19 PM.

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