15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (2024)

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (1)

Cinder blocks are a common item that you see, but they often do not have much use other than creating a wall. Well, have you ever considered using cinderblocks as accent pieces in your garden? You can create walls, planting pots, and other highlights in your garden by reinventing the usefulness of a cinder block. In this article, we will explore 15 different ways that you can use a cinderblock in your garden. You will see flower gardens, vegetable gardens, and gardens of other varieties that use cinder blocks in unique ways.

Out of all of the images that will be presented below, the idea that really melts my heart is the tenth one that we will examine on the list. The cinder blocks are placed in the garden in a manner that the different heights give the area a look that sports many different levels and angles. Creating a garden that is more than a simple square is a great way to show personality in your backyard.

The other one that really stands out to me in this list is the 14th idea on this list. It is a solid wall that is created from cinder blocks, but certain ones are placed so that one side sticks out from the wall. This leaves the hole in the cinder block outside of the wall, which means that the open area can be filled with dirt and used as a planter. Simple green plants can be used here or you can plant vine-like plants that will hang down over the side of the cinder block; adding flavor and style to the wall.

1. Crops Galore

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (2)

Hereis one that shows the life of a farmer. Sections of the area are enclosed by a thin cinder block border, and there are dirt pathways that go between the crops. A hose has been left on the ground, which implies that the plants were recently watered.

2.A Patch of Corn

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (3)

This is a picture of a plot of extremely healthy corn that is growing in a garden that is lined with narrow cinder blocks. The cinder blocks are placed in a double layer that is pretty straight, but you can see a thick layer of mortar between each block.

3.Wall of Cinder Blocks

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (4)

The narrow cinder blocks are placed in a two layer wall that separates the pebbled path from the flower garden. This design not only gives you that layer of separation, it allows you to create a raised flower garden that will catch your eye as you walk past.

4. Potted Staircase

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (5)
Source:Homestead & Prepper

The walls of this beautiful garden are created from cinder blocks that can easily be filled with dirt and growing flowers. Each layer of the garden is designed to be higher than the last, which allows you plenty of room to plant in the garden space that is behind the cinder blocks as well.

5. Lovely Lettuce

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (6)
The first thing that you notice in this next garden is that it is filled with lettuce. It looks extremely delicious, but there are other things to take note of as well. The area that the crops are planted in is raised, and the holes are being used to incorporate an irrigation system into the design.

6. Trifecta

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (7)
Source: Sunshine and Rainy Days

This garden is designed with three symmetrical cinder block plots that vary in height. The center one is two blocks high, which makes it stand out as the central area of the garden. The ground outside of the raised garden is covered in small pebbles and the grass is perfectly trimmed.

7. Sidewalk Garden

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (8)

This raised garden looks like it is positioned along the side a building. You can see windows on the side as well as a brick pavement by the base of the cement plating area. This area is perfect for greeting guests, and this area would be perfect for small colorful flowers that catch your eye.

8. Rose Colored Glasses

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (9)
Source: Local Llano

This image shows a rectangular garden that is nearly four cinder blocks high. It is only filled with dirt here, but imagine it with a few rose bushes in the soil. The garden is tall enough to place the plants at the perfect height to easily notice the brightly colored blooms as you walk past.

9. The Protective Wall

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (10)
Source: Two Studs and a Hammer

The cinder blocks in this next garden are placed in a perfect square pattern. The dirt inside the walls is the same level as the outside, which provides a barrier from the wind for the plants you place here. To make the garden seem more alive, filling it with bright green bushes will be key.

10. Garden Throne

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (11)
The grass in this garden is nicely maintained, and the holes of the blocks are filled with lush green plants. The garden is designed with larger plants in the lower areas and smaller plants higher up, which gives it a sense of style not often seen in an outdoor garden.

11. Rosebud

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (12)
The double layer cinder block rectangle garden is placed near the screened-in porch of the home in the image. There is a beautiful pink rose bush planted in the background, and all this raised garden needs to add some flavor to the yard is flowers that stand out and add contrast to the bright pink rose bush.

12. Wild Growth

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (13)
The first thing that you see in this image is the overgrown plants that are inside the cinderblock planter. It is not a pristine garden, but it has a lovely personality that will turn a few heads. The purple flowers in the back are beautiful, and the youngster’s bike leaves you with a sense of wonder.

13. Desert Landscape

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (14)
The cinder block wall is encircling the home with an accented angle that makes you think of a garden out west. The flowers inside the raised area are lush and colorful, and there are also palm trees and plants that make you think of a tropical location.

14. Holes in the Wall

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (15)
This vertical garden is the perfect idea for someone who is lacking ground space. The holes in the cinder blocks are arranged in such a fashion that they can double as planters that make your area a more friendly space.

15. Ebb and Flow Garden

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (16)
This garden features a beautiful wall that follows the curves of a natural waterway. The left side is only slightly raised, which makes it perfect for tall bushes, and the right side is raised a few feet higher, making it perfect for flowers and smaller plants. The center is filled with small white stones that add personality and flavor to the space.

15 Creative Cinder Block Raised Garden Beds - Garden Lovers Club (2024)

FAQs

Do cinder blocks make good raised garden beds? ›

There are a lot of options when it comes to the material used to build a raised bed border. Wood is a common choice. Bricks and stones are good options, too. But if you want something cheap and attractive that's not going to go anywhere, you can't do better than cinder blocks.

How many cinder blocks do I need for a 4x8 raised bed? ›

Start the sides by placing the next cinder blocks to the outside of the first three blocks, angled to start the side row. Leaving a 1/4″ gap between every third cinder block, place the blocks hole side up. 20 blocks will give an interior bed area of 4′ x 8′.

Is it safe to grow vegetables in cinder blocks? ›

Stay away from old-fashioned cinder blocks, which may contain heavy metals—not a good thing for food gardens. Second, a concrete block bed can affect your soil's pH, making it more alkaline, so it's not good for growing acid-loving plants like blueberries.

How to use concrete blocks for raised garden beds? ›

How to Build a DIY Cinder Block Garden Bed
  1. Calculate the Dimensions. A typical cinder block is 8 x 8 x 16 inches. ...
  2. Mark Off the Area. ...
  3. Prepare the Ground. ...
  4. Arrange the Cinder Blocks. ...
  5. Add Another Layer of Blocks (Optional) ...
  6. Fill Perimeter With Dirt. ...
  7. Fill With Topsoil and Plant.
Feb 27, 2024

What plants grow well in cinder blocks? ›

I planted each of these cloves in its own cinder-block hole. Each one will grow into a full bulb. I also planted two bunches of basil, two bunches of cilantro and one bunch of oregano. Each of these grows in its own cinder-block hole as well.

How many bags of soil do I need to fill an 8x4 raised bed? ›

For a 4x8-foot raised bed with a 6” height, using Mel's Mix: about 5 cubic feet each of compost, peat moss, and vermiculite is needed. It usually takes about two to three bags of purchased fertile mix (1.5 cubic feet each) to cover the bed surface to a depth of 2 inches.

How deep should a raised garden bed be? ›

Vegetable Beds: On the other hand, when it comes to vegetable beds, the bed must be approximately 12 to 18 inches deep to ensure adequate depth for the roots of your plants. This is especially important if your raised bed is placed on cement or the patio, which will inhibit roots from growing deeper into the ground.

How much does a 4 by 8 by 16 cinder block weigh? ›

Concrete Block Size and Weight
W x H x LDescriptionApp. Weight
4x8x164” Concrete Line Block26
4x8x164” Concrete Solid Block32
4x4x164x4x16 Concrete Solid Block… (Slug Block)17.5
4x8x164” Concrete Interlocking/Return Corner Block34.6
41 more rows

Do cinder blocks get moldy? ›

Cinder block walls are strong, long-lasting and resistant to elements such as wind and rain, however, they are still subject to the effects of mold growth.

Do cinder blocks leach chemicals? ›

Concrete Block Disadvantages

The Oregon State University Extension reports that some concrete blocks may leach lime into the soil over time. While not harmful to humans, the additional lime may alter the acidity of your raised bed. Monitor the pH of your soil if you suspect that you have a problem.

Should you put gravel under raised garden bed? ›

Gravel: While some sites recommend using gravel to improve the drainage capabilities of the soil, that is a longstanding myth. There are other ways to increase drainage that are less troublesome than gravel. Eventually, the soil will mix with the grave and will prove to be very difficult to remove later on.

What's the difference between cinder blocks and concrete blocks? ›

Cinder blocks are lighter than concrete blocks. A concrete block contains stone or sand which makes it heavier. Cinder block doesn't have any tensile strength to withstand pressure. Concrete block is a hard, durable substance.

Do you need to line a brick raised bed? ›

Many experienced gardeners recommend lining raised beds for these reasons: It provides insulation for the soil and helps control temperature fluctuations. It helps with soil retention.

Can cinder blocks be used as planters? ›

Cinder blocks can't hold a ton of soil, so they need to be in the shade, or to have plants that can retain moisture. To have blanket flowers in the sun, I needed to have watered daily. And, I didn't. I crammed them full.

What is the best base for a raised garden bed? ›

Depending on your budget and gardening goals, you can line the bottom of your raised garden beds with wide-mesh hardware cloth, stainless steel mesh, landscape fabric, burlap sack, or newspaper/cardboard.

What is the most durable material for raised beds? ›

Steel Is a Stylish and Sleek Raised Bed Material

You can't get much more durable or strong than steel; steel raised beds can last for decades if their exterior is treated with a rust protectant.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Zonia Mosciski DO

Last Updated:

Views: 5747

Rating: 4 / 5 (51 voted)

Reviews: 82% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Zonia Mosciski DO

Birthday: 1996-05-16

Address: Suite 228 919 Deana Ford, Lake Meridithberg, NE 60017-4257

Phone: +2613987384138

Job: Chief Retail Officer

Hobby: Tai chi, Dowsing, Poi, Letterboxing, Watching movies, Video gaming, Singing

Introduction: My name is Zonia Mosciski DO, I am a enchanting, joyous, lovely, successful, hilarious, tender, outstanding person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.