Help w/tractor tire gardening

[seedcorn]

First time. Got old tractor tires from neighbor (don't ever email a group of farmers that you want tractor tires as you'll get more than you can use in life time), 2/3 filled it w/straw-cow manure, then put dark top soil on top to finish. Planted strawberries in it after getting rained. Anything I need to be aware of? I have water that I can water during summer as I expect the straw to dry things up.

I planted June berries. Would everberriers work? I'm trying to locate some to put in the other tractor tire. Will they bear all year long really?

 

[wifezilla]

Sounds good so far.

The only problem I have with growing strawberries is getting any before the squirrels do.

 

[homesteadmom]

just remember they will dry out faster than an in ground bed so they will need more water. Not all yr but during the warmer mos you should have berries.

 

[vfem]

Everbearing should give you about 3 rounds of berries per year. Spring, summer and fall.... I picked those up for our garden.

Sounds like you are good to go and have PLENTY of tires to fill with yummies

 

[seedcorn]

VFEm, how long have you had everbearers? So I can hope for 3 seasons w/them?

 

[vfem]

I literally JUST planted them yesterday. There is a whole thread on my decision making process to get them... and another thread on my panic when they finally came in the mail.

I've NEVER done strawberries before... this is just from my research.

I mainly used this site for help:
http://gardening.about.com/od/fruitsberriesnuts/a/Strawberries.htm

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

A problem I had with strawberries in the tractor tires is the dirt would get too hot. As in the black tire absorbed the sunlight and radiated it inward and it ended up cooking the roots of my plants. Hopefully you won't have the same problem I did - it was very disheartening.... :/

 

[setter4]

Here is a short video from Pewnn State on planting strawberries if anyone is interested.
Hope the link works!
http://ondemand.psu.edu/viewer.php?id=07312007090951

 

[karanleaf]

Setter that is a Wonderful link Great source of info I have always thought County Extension is a great place to get help Thanks for sharing the link

As far as the tires getting too hot, I have seen many folks paint them as to reflect the light, so this maybe answer to the over heating.

Seedcorn I think you have a wonderful problem there. I wouldn't mind having a couple more tractor tires for flower beds around my place :watering

:happy_flower Karan

 

[setter4]

My Mom always had flower planters made from tires and painted pastel colors. You could make your strawberry planters very attractive!