Mulching potatoes with...?

[RJSchaefer]

I don’t know if you have heard about the controversy about toxins leaching from old tires. There seems to be proof both ways. I have included four websites I found on the Internet that talk about this topic but you are welcome to look at other sites too and form your own opinion.


http://5400squarefeet.blogspot.com/2009/02/tires-in-garden-cadmium-zinc-toxicity.html

http://containergardening.about.com/od/greencontainergardening/f/Are-Tire-Gardens-Safe.htm

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/forums/load/cornucop/msg0514124322682.html

http://tennzen.blogspot.com/2009/05/ask-tennzen-is-it-safe-to-grow-veggies.html

Yes I had heard of it. I researched beforehand and decided the benefits outweighed the risks for a year or two. We've taken precautions to minimize the leaching, such as lining with plastic, canvas, and/or thickly packed grass clippings.

Since these tires were immediately cast off into a neighboring field and not stored in the typical manner, I'm a bit more confident in their cleanliness. They've been drenched down by rain and sun-dried several times. There are only three that were not thoroughly scrubbed with a pressure wash and bristle brush before use.

So, all in all, I think it will work well until we can establish a fertile area for an in-ground garden.