Quick Answer: How To Build A Raised Garden Bed With Concrete Blocks?

Are concrete blocks good for raised beds?

There is no need to worry about using concrete blocks to build raised garden beds. There have been claims that the materials used to make the concrete blocks have harmful chemicals that may leach into the soil potentially damaging or even contaminating crops. However, there is no “concrete” proof of that.

Is it safe to use cinder blocks for gardening?

The cinder blocks that you buy in the store today are actually concrete blocks and totally safe. Unless you’re using antique cinder blocks, there should be no reason to worry, especially when cinder block gardening for vegetables.

What is the best material for a raised garden bed?

Cedar and redwood are the two best choices of wood to build raised garden beds with. They’re both very durable, beautiful, and naturally resistant to moisture, rot, and even termites.

Should you line a raised garden bed with plastic?

You can line your raised bed to make it more durable and to prevent toxics from leaching into the soil. For lining, use landscape fabric found at garden supply stores or cloth fabric from clothing. Avoid non-porous plastic, as it can retain too much water and discourage beneficial insects and worms.

How deep should a raised bed garden be?

A raised bed does not have to be very deep to be effective. Eight to 12 inches is usually adequate. If drainage is a problem, or if the plants you are growing prefer drier soil, the bed could be taller and filled with a porous growing medium. Vegetable beds should be 12 to 18 inches deep.

What grows well in cinder blocks?

Better plant varieties for growing in cinder blocks include:

• Onions.
• Scallions.
• Beets.
• Radishes.
• Carrots.
• Lettuce, chard, spinach, & other greens.
• Micro-greens.
• Tomatoes–especially determinate varieties, which tend to be smaller than indeterminate varieties.

What is the difference between concrete blocks and cinder blocks?

Cinder block is made of concrete and cinder. Concrete block is produced from steel, wood or cement. Cinder block is lighter than concrete blocks. Concrete block is heavier because it contains stone and sand.

Do concrete blocks deteriorate?

Whether from flooding or from repeated rains, water eventually wears down the structure of a cinder block from the outside, causing it to flake off and crumble. If a block has not been properly cured, water can also infiltrate the interior of the block.

Can you grow tomatoes in cinder blocks?

Cinder blocks provide adequate support for compact determinate tomato varieties, but they‘ll hardly stand up to sprawling indeterminate or heirloom varieties. Those plants need a strong cage or trellis in addition to occasional pruning. You also may find it difficult to add fertilizer to cinder block holes.

Can I put a raised garden on concrete?

All garden beds need good drainage, including raised garden beds installed on hard surfaces! The opposite is actually true, as long as the bed is open on the bottom! A well-built raised garden bed on concrete will actually drain faster than one sitting snugly down within the soil of your yard.

What do I put on the bottom of a raised garden bed?

The bottom of a raised garden bed should be a layer of grass clippings, leaves, wood chips, straw, and other organic material. The cardboard should be placed on top of that layer. The organic material will turn into compost, while the cardboard will prevent weeds.