Yes tires are a great idea, unless your in an area that gets a lot of rain.
Then the potatoes rot and the plant dies. Might better use a roll of fence
wire about a meter across, lay three potato starts on the ground and cover
them with dirt. Then add dirt as the plant grows. I have heard that
someone has grown up to 14 kg of potatoes in one container. This way Paul
could maximise his crop from his small area. Good luck. Dwayne

"DaveDay34" wrote in message
...
There have been some good suggestions about potatoes, but no-one has
suggested
that you grow in containers, or tires, or anything similar. Containers
with
suitable drainage holes can be 1/4 filled (approx) with compost and the
seed
potatoes planted in this. As the potatoes grow, earthing up can be
carried out
gradually until the plants have reached well over the top of the
container.
Tires can be stacked one on top of another gradually over an extended
period
until the desired height is achieved. At harvest time the containers can
be
emptied and the potatoes easily harvested (at least more easily and
efficiently
than digging up out of the garden).

I've assumed a certain amount of common sense will be used when choosing a
container, and also with regard to using an appropriate soil/compost,
having
suitable drainage, choosing an appropriate potato variety to grow, etc.

There are a few distinct advantages with this system. Several containers
can
be used and crops kept seperate to avoid cross contamination of pests and
diseases. The containers can be protected to keep out some pests such as
slugs
and snails by attaching copper strips around the containers. The
containers
can be started off in a greenhouse if desired, or be moved inside in case
of
severe frost. The compost can be used for general garden use after the
crop
has been harvested so the next years crop will not suffer from any
pests/diseases being carried over. (Next year you use new/fresh
compost/soil.)
Containers often heat up more quickly than the soil in the surrounding
area.
Stacked tires warm up particularly well when exposed to sunlight.

I hope this is of some use.

Dave.