Raised beds are the best choice for growing your favorite plants. The most important advantage of raised bed gardening is maintaining the fertility of the soil which is not possible in traditional gardening.
You can fill the raised bed with a high-quality potting mix that contains all the essential nutrients. When plants receive organic material they will thrive well.
For building a raised bed you have many options, and a cinder block is one of them. It is a construction material that contains sand, concrete, and gypsum.
It is used to construct walls, patios, and other structures. This is a lighter and more manageable building material as compared to bricks.
When you use cinder blocks for your raised bed garden then it will improve the drainage of the soil which is very beneficial for the roots. It also helps to avoid root rot and many fungal diseases.
It is a unique material that you can easily use to build an ideal flowering raised bed garden. Your growing area will become a focal centerpiece after its addition.
Pros And Cons Of Using Cinder Blocks
If you are thinking of using cinder blocks for making the raised bed then first you must consider the advantages and disadvantages of them. It will help you to decide whether they are best for your plants or not.
PROS
Their size and durability make them the best choice. Following are the advantages you will get when using cinder blocks for building raised beds in your raised bed garden.
- If you are looking for a durable material for making raised beds then you can choose cinder blocks as they cannot be formed such as wood. This highly durable material looks great when you use it in making raised beds.
- Cinder blocks are easily manufactured, that’s why they are available anywhere.
- This is a very inexpensive material that’s why you can easily afford it.
- In a suitable environment, cinder blocks last up to 100 years. Choosing cinder blocks eliminates the need for replacement and maintenance because of their longer life span and durability.
CONS
Following are the disadvantages of using cinder blocks for making raised beds.
- As cinder blocks are made from concrete that’s why they can trap heat and raise the temperature of the soil. This will damage your favourite plants.
- Due to excessive moisture, cinder blocks release products that are not good for your plants. This will raise the alkalinity of the soil and make it more toxic.
- Fly ash, stones, cement and sand are used to make cinder blocks. Fly ash carries harmful substances like silica and heavy metals that are bad for your plants.
How To Build Raised Garden Beds With Cinder Blocks?
Different types of materials can be used for making raised beds but the idea of using cinder blocks has many advantages. Cinder blocks would not deteriorate like wood and you can easily create a raised bed in any shape. Fill it with soil and start planting your desired plants. Following are the simple steps of building raised beds using cinder blocks.
PREPARE THE SITE AND LAY THE ANCHOR BLOCK
If you already have raised beds with wood and they are rotted away. Now these beds will become rubbish for you. Clear the land so you can build beds with cinder blocks.
If there is any grass on the ground then remove it. It is better to layer a newspaper or plastic so that it helps to stop the growth of weeds.
MEASURE THE AREA WHERE YOU WANT TO BUILD RAISED BED
Measurement is very important when you are building in raised beds using cinder blocks. First, calculate the perimeter so you can estimate the cost of the material you are going to use. The height of the raised bed is also significant before calculating the material. If you buy your material with the right guess, you will avoid a second supply. It will also help you to estimate the effort you need.
LAY THE BLOCKS WITH HOLES FACING UP
The shapes of the blocks are square and consist in dimensions. When you are laying them then set it perfectly so there are no cracks between the bottom or the top of the centre blocks. In this way, the sides of the blocks remain in level.
If you are building a rectangular raised bed then your size must be 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. Hollow cubes are formed when you connect two cinder blocks. Place the hollow opening of the cinder block faces vertically.
This will create a more aesthetic look and increase the stability of the world that you create with cinder blogs.
FILL THE RAISED BED
After building your raised bed with cinder blocks. Now it is time to fill it with the growing medium that is a high-quality potting mix. Before filling the raised bed you must lay down some newspaper, cardboard, or weed fabric.
Now fill the raised bed with soil. You must avoid using garden soil because when you are growing your plants in a raised bed then you can easily maintain the fertility of the soil which is not possible when you are growing plants in the ground.
High-quality potting mix contains all the essential ingredients that are needed by your plants so you must prefer it. When you are filling the raised bed with cinder blocks then you not only fill the bed but all of the holes in the blocks.
You can also leave a couple of holes empty if you want to sit when you are in the garden. After filling the bed now you can plant your favourite crops in it. You can grow vegetable plants in the main section of this type of raised bed in small sections. You can grow flowering plants such as marigolds.
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What Are The Best Plants To Grow In A Cinder Block Raised Bed?
Raised beds made from Kinder blocks can be the ideal option for growing plants. The following plants can be grown in these attractive raised beds.
STRAWBERRIES
Regular water, sunlight, and fertilizer are needed for growing strawberries in raised beds that are made from cinder blocks. You must choose a Sunny location for making race beds so strawberry plants can get at least 6 hours of sunlight to produce juicy treats for you. This crop is ready to produce fruit within 3 months.
TOMATOES
Another crop is tomatoes that grow in cinder blocks raised beds. An indeterminate variety will keep producing fruit throughout the growing season. Make sure the location of your bed is sunny so tomato crops receive at least 6 hours of sunlight.
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SUNFLOWERS
Another great choice for a cinder block raised bed. There are different varieties of sunflowers and you can choose any one according to your desire.
MARIGOLD
Marigolds also grow well in center block planters. They also grow well in smaller containers if you choose a smaller variety.
GARLIC
Sunlight, regular watering, and rich soil are the essential needs of garlic. You can grow it in cinder block planters but never forget to add additional fertilizer during the growing season for better results.
PETUNIAS
If you are looking for a perfect flowering plant for growing in cinder block raised beds then you can choose petunias. Different varieties of petunias can grow well but it needs direct sunlight.
FESTUCA CALIFORNIA
If you have a partially shaded area for building the raised bed by using cinder blocks then you can select this plant because it can easily adjust in a partial shade and needs moist soil.
HERBS
Herbs can easily adjust in any type of planter so they can grow well in raised beds that are made from cinder blocks.
RADISHES
The position of the raised bed must be sunny so your plants get at least 6 hours of sunlight. Keep the soil moist with regular watering.
LETTUCE
Plenty of sun and moist soil are needed by lettuce plants. Make it possible that your lettuce plant receives at least 6 hours of sunlight so you will get the best results.
Tips For Using Cinder Blocks For Raised Bed Gardening
You must consider the following steps for using cinder blocks for making raised beds.
CONFIRM THAT YOU ARE USING BLOCK MATERIAL
It is not easy to differentiate between cinder blocks, concrete blocks, or cement blocks. The texture and appearance are the same, that’s why most people are confused.
If you are buying heavy and durable blocks it means they can be concrete blocks. Whenever you are purchasing cinder blocks you must confirm first that the material you are using is the one you are wishing for.
Concrete blocks are stronger than cinder blocks as they can be used in construction projects. On the other hand, cinder blocks are perfect for small places such as garden walls.
CONSIDER THE ORIGINS OF CINDER BLOCKS
Sometimes it happens you buy cinder blocks that are recycled as they are very lightweight so in its production by-product of coal plants and Portland cement is used by manufacturers.
When you use such substances in your garden for making raised beds they can contaminate the soil because they contain heavy metals and chemicals. You should avoid using such materials for making raised beds.
These harmful substances damage the ecosystem of your garden and all of your hard work Will be wasted.
FIND SAFE USES FOR CINDER BLOCKS
It is better to use cinder blocks for making raised beds for flowering plants and not for edible plants. Health risks are involved in using cinder blocks So avoid using cinder blocks for your vegetable plants.
You can also use cinder blocks for making beautiful containers or planters as they will enhance the beauty of your garden. These attractive containers are perfect for growing circulars or miniature flowers to attract pollinators.
