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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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′. Leave a side open to bring in the soil until the new bed is filled.

How to make a raised garden out of cinder blocks? ›

Here's How to Make a Raised Bed Garden with Cinder Blocks:

Lay down some weed fabric, cardboard, or newspaper, and add your soil to both the main bed and all of the holes in the blocks. If you like to sit while you garden, leave a couple of the holes in the blocks empty. Then start planting.

How to make an affordable raised garden bed? ›

The cheapest way to make raised garden beds is to use recycled materials such as free pallets made of wood, old tires, or even cinder blocks. You can also use a combination of these materials to create an inexpensive and unique garden bed with a rustic look.

What is the difference between concrete blocks and cinder blocks? ›

Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of steel, wood or cement.

How many cinder blocks do I need for a raised garden? ›

Prepare the Site and Lay the Anchor Block

Building a raised bed to last will require some hard labor but after it's done the bed will last for years to come. It will take 32 concrete blocks and 16 caps to build this raised bed. The first anchor block will take the longest to set in place.

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.

Do cinder blocks leach chemicals into soil? ›

As you might be aware of the toxicity that cinder blocks leach into the soil, at least by what some individuals have speculated, but really no data to back it up.

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.

Are concrete blocks safe for vegetable gardens? ›

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 to fill in a raised garden bed? ›

The best way to save money on soil by filling the bottom of your raised garden beds with leaves is to install the leaves in layers just 6 inches thick at a time. Compress them by walking on them and then wet them with a garden hose. Once that's done, add the next layer.

Is it cheaper to buy or build raised garden beds? ›

On average, a DIY raised bed constructed from wood will cost $25 to $50 per square foot. To have a wooden raised bed constructed and installed for you, budget for at least $100 per square foot. (Find a kitchen garden company in your area.)

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

Cardboard or newspaper: Cardboard is a great option if you are on a budget. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to deter pests and weeds.

What are the two cons of raised beds? ›

The cons of raised beds

Use rot-resistant wood if you go with boards and figure even those eventually will have to be replaced. The soil mix also can be a significant, albeit one-time, expense. Raised beds need water more often since the soil is more exposed to air and dries quicker.

Are cinder blocks safe for growing vegetables? ›

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.

Will plants grow 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.

Do cinder blocks leach chemicals? ›

There is a lot of research on this because of how often concrete is used for everything. There is some leaching but it is extremely slow and extremely low levels.

What is the best material to use for raised garden beds? ›

What are some examples of safe and sustainable materials for raised garden beds? Raised garden beds can be constructed from a variety of safe and sustainable materials. Cedar or redwood are two great options for wood as they are naturally rot-resistant and won't leach harmful chemicals into the soil.

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