Old tires as raised beds - Ask Extension
Are old tires safe to use for raised beds for vegetables?
Knowledgebase
Old tires as raised beds #784173
Asked March 16, 2022, 1:21 PM EDT
Are old tires safe to use for raised beds for vegetables?
Logan County Oklahoma
Expert Response
In general, yes. Intact tires are very safe and release very little if any chemicals because they are bound up in the tire. Anything that does leach out would only be right next to the tire itself. You can line the inside of the tires with plastic to keep the soil separated from direct contact with the tire. If there is some concern you can also keep root crops out of the bed or plant them in the center; crops harvested for the above ground portions would less likely be affected. If you are really concerned then you should use a different material.
