Blocks for Raised Beds

[maburleson]

Does anyone know if it is okay to cement blocks (cinder blocks used for house foundations) or bricks to build raised beds for vegetables? I have used them for flowers before, but was unsure about there safety when used near my veggies.

[ceresone]

wish i had a thousand more!!no, i'm not kidding, i need that many more for my beds. i only have 3 now, and more to make.i'm going to try what i was told on another forum, and use straw bales for the perimeter, untill i can get enough blocks.cant imagine any harm from them, but i imagine someone will think of something

[Desert Girl]

In the book "Square Foot Gardening" one of the examples of a raised bed is made from cement blocks. I did mine recently from retaining wall blocks and it looks awesome.

[Pharmerphil]

I can say that the cement blocks, would do no more than slowly, very slowly, leech some lime into the soil, the bricks I have no data on.

[cecropia]

Good day! I'd use the solid cement blocks if possible. Cost a bit more and are heavy but don't have to fill the holes. May want to consider painting the insides with latex paint to reduce moisture loss.

[drobinson]

I've used all kinds of "hard" materials for beds - rocks, regular hollow cored cement blocks, 4 in. solid blocks, and "L" shaped cement blocks. So far, I have not noticed any negative effect on the veggies grown in the beds. Sure beats 2 x 6's that eventually rot, and if treated, leach chemicals. Also beats railroad ties that leach out creosote. The very best beds I have made took a lot of work and were made by digging a trench and placing 8x16 cement blocks on a bed of cement mortar so the top is to ground level. Then I raised the height I wanted with rock and cement on top, making the whole thing about 12" deep. The inside is double spaded and all roots, rocks, nut grass, etc. screened out with 1/4 inch hardware cloth. Like I said, it takes a lot of work but makes a super great bed that will last. Mine are 20 years old and holding up well with a little patching of the cracks with mortar now and then. The best part is that burmuda grass, nut grass, etc. will usually not go under the 8" deep cement blocks, and I weed eat to keep it from going over.

[wilderness1989]

Folks don't worry about using concrete. I friend was in the business making concrete block and I've seen them made. They're about 90% sand and the rest in cement, a mineral mined from Mother Nature.

[DPDanae]

I used a block called "soil retention" and they're basically cement. Can't see the harm in it. If you care to see what I've been working on and the terraces my husband put in for planting, you can go to my blog at: http://34thparallel.typepad.com/photos/backyard_evolution/index.html
These blocks have a couple of advantages that cement doesn't but, across the yard from the wall, we used cement blocks and just had to account for run-off. Good luck!!
Smiles - Danae

[Bellepepper]

About 12 years ago, we started gardening the "square foot gardening" method using 2X6 treated lumber. We then decided to make the 4 ft sq boxes 12" high by stacking two boxes. Now we are "moving" things around and finding that the treated lumber that was supposed to last 20-30 years is starting to rot. Wish we had invested in cement blocks.

[SunflowerMeg]

I have used cement blocks for years by growing herbs in the holes. I read years ago that many herbs enjoy the pH inside a cement block, and if experience is a good teacher, then that story is completely true, no matter what anyone else might say. Since I didn't have a big growing area, not only was I able to grow herbs, but I kept them contained too. I have been growing the same herbs in the same blocks for at least 10 years and I always get enough production to see me through the winter. Even if the blocks leach lime, you can amend your soil accordingly. Our soils here are too acidic anyway, so the blocks weren't a problem.

[rjzatyko@yahoo.com]

hi, they are sort of expensive but that is up to you,i used untreated wood planks from a saw mill in my raised beds,i put them on small rocks to raise them up about a few inches to keep them off of the ground, then i put black plastic on the top,bottom and on the inside of the wood planks(none on the outside and so far they haven't rotted,but i know that they will sooner or later. you have a good gardening day richard from ky.

[Livin Simple]

I have been wanting to get some concrete blocks for my raised beds. Sure wish I could find some used ones. That would help cut down on the cost.

[GObug]

Leaching of lime from cement blocks occurs only for a short while when they are new. Lime is a common soil pH ammendment, and in the minute quantities that leaches from the block will probably not change your soil pH at all. I don't think lime violates OMRI standards either, but I am not sure.

I chuckle when I see people on TV building boxes using long wood screws. I know this approach will last 5 years at best on regular wood, and maybe 10 on preserved wood. I have been using the same wooden boxes for 16 years now. I used metal brackets with nuts and bolts in the corners and they are still in good shape. I also drove rebar into the soil and used U-bolts to fasten them to the wood beams so the boxes wouldn't bulge. To keep organisms from attacking the wood, I lined the insides of each box with plastic.

I used wood because it was what I had. I plan to build new boxes on my mountain property this spring and won't use wood again. I have an abundance of rock on the property, so at least some will be rock. I have been experimenting with thin shell cement and this might provide a quicker assembly than regular rock boxes.

The concept behind thin shell cement is basically window screen soaked in cement slurry. If it is held in shape until the cement sets, it makes a very sturdy quarter inch thick product. Once the basic box shape has been made, I plan to cement fist sized rocks on the sides -- kind of like a rock facing on a house. It will be April or May before I can do this, but when I do, I will post pictures and report back. If it doesn't work, I will try concrete block.

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi there great. you can build the bed as high you want. paint the inside is right. i use the hole to plant basil and marigolds next to my tomatoeplants. each tomatoeplant gets its own basil plant right next to it in the bed. ;)

[mrtomatoexpres]

i forget to tell you the block never warp chip and rot :)

[mrtomatoexpres]

hi desert girl rember that show squarefootgardening. it use to be on tlc in the 80s. when i was a little sprout i watched mel and his wife on nbc news they did a little spot about veggie gardening. :)

[Brook]

FWIW, there is no need to enclose raised beds at all. Berm (in situ) beds work just as well, cost less to build, and require less work to construct.

[mrtomatoexpres]

forgot to tell you use drylock paint its the best for keeping the water going threw the cement blocks. :)

[ceresone]

i need more blocks--raised beds dont work for me, without the edges--to sit on. had to do it that way this year--didnt have enough blocks--never again

[Mary]

I had some straw so I used that for my raised asparagus bed, although I think blocks would be ok, they are heavy for me to lift.I know I will have to replace the straw later on .I have never raised asparagus before , just hope I have good luck .If any one has some suggestions please let me know.

[dandelion meadow]

For those of you in southern Missouri: A few years ago I found a place in Springfield, MO that had used cement blocks. I didn't buy any then. Today, a few phone calls came up with new blocks at $1.04 each, which seems fairly low. Nattinger's, 1650 Atlantic, Spfld., MO 417-869-2595. Now, getting to Springfield in a vehicle sturdy enough to haul a bunch might add a huge gas bill to that price. Couldn't find any used ones.

[finnteara]

For 15 years I've used the solid cap blocks for the side of the raised beds and the standard units w/ holes for the ends, where i usually plant herbs. The small amount of lime leaching into the soil is a plus.