If you like the tire/potato idea but don’t have tires or room to store them off-season, check out this idea: http://www.hillgardens.com/potatoes.htm

Congratulations on the new house! That’s so exciting. As for shade gardening, that’s a tough one. There are some possibilities (herbs and leafy greens come to mind), but I suggest just googling around for ‘gardening in shade’ or something along those lines. To be honest, you’ll be limited. Could you potentially do a container setup at the front of the house or in some other, sunnier area? Fresh homegrown tomatoes are just soooo amazing!

@ Farmingtheburbs – Do containers! Then they can come with you! (and good luck with the house)

@ daoine o’ – Ooh, good luck with your first garden! My first few were utter failures, so don’t get discouraged if something doesn’t work out (though I’m sure it will all be great) I’m interested to hear how the potato tires work for you, so please let me know at the end of the season!

@ TeanyTinyStar – Ditto!

@ Leah – Get elaborate! You can do so, so much in containers. Tomatoes do really well, as do lettuces and even root veggies You can also do really cool intensive stuff – a whole bunch all together in the same pot. You should give it a go!

@ Stephanie – You can do it! Good luck. =)

@ Salekdarling – Sorry about the long winter, lady. =( I’d hold off a bit to start the seedlings, but you can go ahead and start them early inside. By the time their ready to go out, the weather will have caught up!

@ Lorigami – Don’t worry about being paranoid, it’s a very valid question and one I had myself. I looked into the issue and my understanding is that the [admittedly limited] studies that have been done, show that heavy metals do *not* transfer from the tires to the veggies. There have been a couple studies done, and there was nothing that made me afraid to use this technique. Plus there are tons of testimonials all over the internet form people who do it. And also, the potatoes I grew myself last year were seriously, the best potatoes I’ve EVER eaten. Totally worth it. =)

@ Meghan – Ah well, farmers market and CSA is pretty awesome, anyway!

@ Lynn D. – I just did a little poking around and that looks like an interesting technique. I look forward to exploring it – thanks for the link!

Too bad it’s container gardening for me this year. No yard. Boo. I’m doing herbs and maybe something more elaborate if I get a little crazy.