Concrete Blocks + Soil + Plants = DIY Gardening Success
Looking to add a stylish and budget-friendly garden space to your backyard? One clever solution is to build customizable raised planting beds using standard cinder or concrete blocks. This practical material can be configured into a freestanding garden frame perfect for vegetables, herbs, flowers, and other greenery. We'll walk through essential tips for crafting rich soil, unique designs, sturdy structures, and vibrant gardens that make use of vertical growing space. Follow our guide to create a sensational sanctuary that unlocks the full potential of concrete blocks.
Cinder blocks present an affordable and versatile way to construct customized raised beds on your property without advanced carpentry skills. These heavyweight blocks crafted from concrete and sand can be stacked row upon row like giant Legos to provide the supporting borders for lush garden beds. An afternoon of scrolling blocks into place builds the foundation for fertile gardens.
Why Use Cinder Blocks for Gardening?
Concrete blocks have remained popular DIY building materials for decades thanks to durability, dimensionality, and cost-effectiveness. Let's explore key benefits of using concrete blocks for raised bed gardening.
Low-Cost Solution
Constructing a raised planting bed from scratch using lumber can become an expensive endeavor. Cinder blocks present a budget-friendly alternative starting around $1-2 per block. Affordable availability makes these practical bricks ideal for elevating gardens.
Customizable and Durable
The modular nature of cinder blocks allows creativity in designing custom beds. Stack blocks in countless configurations to build plant-supporting walls in circles, squares, rectangles, and more. Concrete blocks hold up well over time, maintaining their structural integrity for years against weather, pests, and heavy soil.
Reduce Back Strain
Bending over for weeding, pruning, and harvesting from ground-level gardens places strain on the back. Raised cinder block beds bring your gardening to waist level, reducing pressure on joints. Standing comfortably eliminates fatigue.
Choosing the Right Cinder Blocks
While shopping for supplies, evaluate block options to select the best type for your DIY gardening plans.
Types of Cinder Blocks
The most standard concrete blocks work great for basic designs, but explore choices like interlocking landscape blocks with grooves to connect securely or cinder blocks with holes to increase drainage. Perforated blocks also allow space for planting pockets of small flowers.
Structural Integrity
Verify concrete blocks were cured with sand rather than fly ash, which may leach toxins. Avoid old blocks that may crumble under the weight of soil and plants. Purchase quality blocks rated for landscaping use from reputable suppliers.
Sourcing Blocks
Check local hardware stores, building supply retailers, or even construction sites for leftover cinder blocks available to purchase. Delivery services can transport large quantities of blocks to your property.
Design Your Cinder Block Garden
Plot out garden beds on paper before setting blocks. Factor in dimensions of your yard along with optimal orientation for sunlight exposure.
Size Your Garden Bed
Determine the right footprint for your needs - a small 4x4' bed offers ample room for herbs and leafy greens while 4x8' suits deeper-rooted veggies. For tiny yards, go vertical with stacked blocks for maximum yield in narrow spaces.
Layout and Shape
Classic straight walls deliver simple functionality, but drug curves allow unique configurations. Try circles, S-shaped walls,hexagons, or other multifaceted layouts. Cut lawn edges cleanly or let walls meander freely through plantings.
Elevation
The majority of freestanding cinder block designs sit one to two blocks high. For a more substantial presence, stack additional blocks in graduated tiers or try a three-foot vertical gardening wall secured to fences or posts.
Build Your Cinder Block Frame
Ready to start raising your garden bed? Collect materials and tools before beginning construction.
Plan Structure
Decide if your cinder block garden will stand solo in the yard or anchor against an existing structure. Freestanding blocks require meticulous stacking for stability.
Tools Needed
- Safety gloves, goggles, sturdy boots
- Shovel for leveling terrain
- Carpenter's level to check block alignment
Tips for Stacking Blocks
Refer to the following best practices when piling cinder blocks:
- Clear a base of grass/debris and install landscape fabric to inhibit weeds.
- Use a level to ensure the first course sits evenly on stable ground.
- Overlap blocks in each row to reinforce walls.
- Alternating the direction of holes connects rows.
- Check level frequently while stacking.
- Fill hollow blocks with gravel to prevent tilting when filled.
Prepare Soil for Planting Beds
Laying nutrient-dense, well-draining soil gives plants the growing medium needed to thrive inside cinder block frames.
Soil Requirements
Purchase a rich potting mix blended specifically for containers and raised beds, or amendment standard top soil by blending in 1/3 by volume of aged compost or manure.
Calculate Soil Needed
To figure out cubic yards of soil required:
- Measure internal width, length, and height of the enclosed bed.
- Multiply dimensions to calculate cubic feet of space.
- Divide cubic feet by 27 to convert to cubic yards for ordering soil.
Add Nutrient-Rich Compost
Supplement soil health annually in spring by forking 1-2 inches of compost across the top before mulching.
- Construct a compost bin out of leftover blocks.
- Purchase high-quality compost from landscape suppliers.
Selecting Plants for Cinder Block Gardens
When selecting plants, focus on varieties suitable for raised bed conditions - hearty veggies, vivid flowers, and trailing greens that utilize vertical space.
Suitable Veggies and Herbs
Consider fast-growing salad greens, root crops like radishes and beets that flourish in nutrient-rich soil, tall indeterminate tomato plants supported by cages, vining squashes, or abundant herbs.
Best Flowers
Choose vigorous annuals like zinnias, cosmos, sweet alyssum drought-tolerant perennials like lavender and sage for low-maintenance beauty. Allow flowers to self-sow to perpetuate displays.
Utilize Vertical Space
Take advantage of cinder blocks' towering potential for plants. Train vining peas, beans, cucumbers onto trellises attached to block walls. Tuck trailing nasturtiums, creeping Jenny's, and petunias into pockets.
Maintaining Your Cinder Block Garden
Keep plants thriving with attentive seasonal care including fertilizing, pruning, and ample hydration.
Fertilization and Crop Rotation
Replenish nutrients to soil with an organic vegetable fertilizer alongside compost. Rotate plant families annually to avoid deficiencies.
Watering Effectively
Aim for consistent moisture 1-2 inches below soil surfaces. Install drip irrigation inside beds for water-wise attention or carefully assess soil daily before manually watering.
Weed Control
Pull emergent weeds quickly by hand to keep them from overtaking beds. Apply natural mulch like wood chips around exteriors to block light and suppress additional weeds.
Inspiring Design Ideas
Looking to elevate the visual interest of your cinder block raised bed? Incorporate these creative touches to build a focal point filled with character.
Mix Materials
Complement sturdy concrete and earthen hues by contrasting recycled wood slices for garden seating areas or composite decking atop walls. Mingle blocks with stone pavers and gravel pathways.
Fun Shapes
Stack blocks in circles, S-curves, stars and custom shapes for whimsical style. Plant flower towers in the round hollow interiors.
Water Features
Incorporate gently trickling water elements like tabletop fountains or install a liner to create small backyard pond habitats, accented gorgeously by marginal plants.
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By tapping into the potential of humble cinder blocks, you can erect raised beds to unlock gardening greatness this season. Stack, soil, plant and let creative confgurations take shape!