'Upcyling' at its best: How to make a tire planter

On the Web: More of a visual learner? Check out Tire Business' Facebook page for a photo gallery.

AKRON—Since I started at Tire Business, I have had to go to my local tire/automotive aftermarket repair shop twice. The first time I walked in, I had the print edition of Tire Business in hand because I had to leave my car overnight, so I had gathered up what I needed to take home.

The man behind the counter looked at me and said, "You read Tire Business? That's not the normal reading material for a woman in her 20s."

So you could imagine the look on another employee's face the second time I visited the store and asked to keep my old tires for a project for work.

All across social media, I have seen beautiful tire planters. What a great way to help the environment by reusing tires. Trying my hand at making one also gave me an opportunity to try out my "green thumb."

I decided to start with two planters because I am really not that crafty of an individual and did not want to bite off more than I could chew.

Here are the steps for making a tire planter.

Getting the tires

After explaining my intentions, the clerk told me I could take as many old tires as I wanted to make tire planters.

I grabbed two of my old tires and headed home.

After realizing that my process was going to involve cutting the tire with a knife, and turning it inside out, I enlisted the help of my boyfriend Doug, because not only am I not the "craftiest" person, but I am also very accident prone. I am NOT saying a woman could not do this herself—but how else would I be able to take photos for my trusted readers?

Prepping the tire

There is a simpler way to make a tire planter—just paint it and plop some dirt in it and plant whatever you want. However, it you want it to be fancy, there are a few more steps to take.

You want to wash the tire so it's easier for the paint to adhere later on.

The first step is to mark up the tire so that you will know where to cut. You can make any kind of design you want. We basically drew half circles all the way around the bead of the tire. We used a paint marker and an old wonton soup container.

Cutting

My boyfriend opted to use a box-cutter knife to do the cutting. It is harder to cut toward the inside of the tire — by the bead — because the rubber is thicker. You will cut this all in one piece because the bead part of the tire can become a base for the tire planter. When the cut portion comes out, it sort of looks like something a little kid might draw — with little sun beams coming out.

Flipping

This is where things can start to get a little tricky. You need to flip the tire inside out so that the tread is on the inside, and the nice flat surface is what will be on the outside, and where you will eventually paint.

The first tire we flipped inside out was done on a nice, hot day. That made it much easier to manipulate the rubber, rather than the time we tried it for the second one on a rainy day. We waited until a nicer day, but still had trouble flipping the second one. Ultimately, we decided to cut the bead part out on the bottom, too, so that it was easily "flippable."

Painting

Once everything is flipped and ready to go, it's time to make it your own! We opted to use spray paint because our lack of artistic hands figured it would be easier that way. I have seen some awesome tire planters, though, that are intricately designed to the minute detail. Since I did the majority of the painting, I went with one that was hot pink and bright green and then made one light blue with yellow polka dots.

Things to note on paint:

• Use non-toxic paint: You will be planting things in there, you want to give them a fighting chance!

• Use a primer: Same concept as when you are painting dark walls—if you want the colors you are choosing to show up on the tire, then you want the primer coat.

• Choose light colors: black tires absorb sunlight, so they can get really hot—which we all know. This is not good for the plants that will be growing in them.

Finishing touches

Once the paint dries, you can get your tire planter all settled in in its new home. I have a courtyard area at home where I have put my two tire planters. I have planted hot and bell peppers in one and parsley and basil in the other. Keep checking out Tire Business' Facebook page to see how they turn out!

Already have tire planters? Post them to Tire Business' Facebook wall and keep checking to see how my planters turn out this summer!

Questions? Call me at 330-865-6143 or email [email protected].