Unleash your inner green thumb and grow fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs right in your own backyard! A raised garden bed has fewer weeds, better water retention, more growing space and warmer soil for longer in the season.
With Loctite® PL ® Premium Max, you can DIY your very own raised bed. The super strong adhesive makes assembly simple, budget-friendly and durable so you can continue to plant your garden year after year.
Cinder block raised vegetable garden beds are a great way to grow your own food at home. They offer many benefits over traditional in-ground gardening. Raised beds improve drainage, reduce weed pressure make gardening easier on your back deter pests, and allow earlier planting and harvest times.
Cinder blocks in particular have some unique advantages for building raised beds
-
Cinder blocks are inexpensive and widely available. You can often find used blocks for free on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.
-
They are durable and weather-resistant. Cinder block beds can last for many years without rotting or deteriorating.
-
The holes in cinder blocks allow for extra planting space. You can grow crops like onions and carrots in them.
-
Cinder blocks are modular and stackable. It’s easy to configure them into any size or shape bed you need.
-
Building with cinder blocks requires no special skills. No need to cut wood or mix concrete. Just stack the blocks and fill with soil.
In this article, we’ll walk through the full process of constructing your own cinder block raised bed for growing vegetables at home.
Planning Your Cinder Block Garden Bed
Before gathering materials, take some time to plan out your raised bed design. Here are some factors to consider:
-
Size – Standard cinder blocks are 16″ long x 8″ wide x 8″ tall. Make sure to leave adequate pathways around the bed(s). 4×8 ft is a common raised bed size.
-
Shape – Rectangle, square, L-shaped, U-shaped, etc. Choose a shape to fit your space.
-
Height – 1 to 3 blocks high is common. Shorter beds are easier to reach across.
-
Location – Pick a sunny spot, near a water source, with good drainage.
-
Number of beds – Start small if you’re new to gardening. You can always add more beds later.
Once you’ve decided on the specifics, sketch out your plan to visualize the layout. This will help estimate how many cinder blocks and soil you’ll need.
Gather Your Materials
Here’s what you’ll need to build your cinder block raised bed:
-
Cinder blocks – Calculate the number needed based on your bed size(s) and height. Purchase new or source used blocks.
-
Landscape fabric – Lines the inside of the bed to block weeds.
-
Gravel or crushed rock – Fills the base of the bed for drainage.
-
Topsoil or garden soil mix – Fill the majority of the bed for planting.
-
Compost (optional) – Mix with soil to improve nutrition and texture.
-
Mortar (optional) – Secures stacked blocks if making multi-layer beds.
-
Shovel, level, scissors, and work gloves – For bed construction.
Constructing Your Cinder Block Raised Bed
Once you’ve gathered all the materials, it’s time to start building. Follow these steps:
-
Mark the outline of your bed with stakes and string. Remove any grass or plants in this area.
-
Dig down 2-4 inches and level the soil surface where your bed will sit.
-
Line the interior of the bed area with landscape fabric. This will block weeds from below.
-
Fill the base with a 2-4 inch layer of gravel for drainage. Pack it down lightly.
-
Begin stacking cinder blocks, checking for level frequently. Build up to your desired height.
-
If making a multi-layer bed, use mortar between block layers for stability. Let it cure before filling.
-
Fill the majority of the cinder block frame with garden soil mix, mounding slightly.
-
Mix in compost if desired for added nutrients.
-
Plant seeds or transplants directly into the bed. Water thoroughly after planting.
-
Add mulch on top of the soil to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
And that’s it – you now have a raised bed ready for growing vegetables and herbs! Just be sure to water and care for your plants as needed throughout the season. Enjoy the bounty from your cinder block garden.
Tips for Growing in a Cinder Block Raised Bed
Here are some additional pointers to help you get the most out of your new raised bed:
-
Amend the soil each season with compost to replenish nutrients.
-
Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to efficiently water your bed.
-
Rotate crops each season to disrupt pest and disease cycles.
-
Use season extending techniques like cold frames or row covers.
-
Trellis or cage plants like tomatoes and cucumbers to save space.
-
Interplant quick crops like radishes or greens around slower growing plants.
-
Check soil pH yearly and amend as needed for optimal growth.
-
Control pests naturally with beneficial insects, neem oil, or insecticidal soap.
-
Weed early and often to prevent competition with crops.
Customizing Your Cinder Block Raised Beds
The modular nature of cinder blocks makes it easy to customize and expand your raised beds. Here are some creative ideas:
-
Make trellises by inserting poles or pipes into the block holes.
-
Add drip irrigation by threading soaker hoses through PVC pipe in the holes.
-
Create mini hoop houses over beds with PVC bent into semicircles.
-
Use cap blocks to create planting shelves along the edges.
-
Make tiered or terraced beds on slopes for depth and visual interest.
-
Divide large beds into square foot planting grids for intensive gardening.
-
Use specialty cinder shapes for corners, borders, accent patterns, etc.
-
Paint or stencil the blocks for personality and color.
Cinder block raised beds are a versatile and budget-friendly way to grow food at home. Plan your design, gather materials, and start stacking – you’ll be harvesting homegrown produce before you know it! Adjust and expand your cinder block garden over time. Most importantly, enjoy the experience and fruits of your DIY raised bed labor.
Cut, adhere, and sand picket fencing
Adding a wooden top pulls the entire garden together and gives the project a softer look. Measure the perimeter of your cinder block garden and cut out the equivalent using four pieces of picket fencing, each one the size of one of your garden sides.
Again, using Loctite® PL® Premium Max, add the adhesive to the top of the cinder blocks and firmly press the wood down on top. Once completely cured, prep the wood for staining by making sure it is sanded and smooth.
Glue and stack cinder blocks
Using Loctite® PL® Premium Max adhesive, assemble the garden by adding the adhesive to the top and sides of the cinder blocks and firmly pushing them together. As you work around your garden, make sure you are checking to make sure the blocks are still level. You have 20 minutes to reposition any blocks. After 24 hours they will be fully cured and secured.
Next, start stacking your second layer. Timisha placed the second layer in line with the first, but you can always stagger to create a brick pattern.
Timisha built her raised garden two cinder blocks high because anything less would be too shallow. The garden needs to be deep enough for the roots of your plants to grow and thrive. Feel free to add another layer or two or stop here depending on your preference.
RANKED: The BEST (and Worst) Raised Garden Materials
FAQ
Are cinder blocks good for raised garden beds?
-
Durability and Longevity:Cinder blocks are made of concrete, which is a very durable material that resists rot, decay, and pests, unlike wood.
-
Cost-Effective:Cinder blocks are generally cheaper than wood, making them a budget-friendly option for building raised beds.
-
Easy Construction:Cinder blocks are easy to stack and can be used to create various shapes and sizes of raised beds.
-
Flexibility in Design:You can easily create different heights and shapes for your raised beds using cinder blocks.
-
Easy to Fill:Cinder blocks have holes that can be filled with soil, or you can leave them empty and fill the entire bed with soil.
-
Good for Deep Root Vegetables:The height of a cinder block raised bed can be beneficial for growing plants with deep roots.
-
Long-Lasting:Cinder block raised beds are likely to last for many years without needing replacement, unlike wooden raised beds.
How many cinder blocks do I need for a 4×8 raised bed?
-
Length:An 8-foot length requires 6 cinder blocks (96 inches / 16 inches per block) per side, totaling 12 for the long edges.
-
Width:A 4-foot width requires 3 cinder blocks (48 inches / 16 inches per block) per end, totaling 6 for the short edges.
-
Total:12 (long edges) + 6 (short edges) = 18 blocks.
-
Overlapping:You may need to overlap the blocks slightly for a better fit, so it’s best to round up to 20 blocks to ensure a complete perimeter.
What do you put on the bottom of a cinder block planter?
Fill the bottom of the planter box with gravel, rocks or old paver stones.
How much weight can a cinder block hold?
-
Compressive Strength:Concrete blocks are designed to withstand compressive forces, meaning they can hold heavy loads without cracking or breaking.
-
Typical Strength:A standard concrete block has a compressive strength of around 2,500 psi, meaning it can support 2,500 pounds of weight per square inch of its surface area.
-
Factors Affecting Load Capacity:
- Density: Denser concrete blocks will have a higher compressive strength and can therefore support more weight.
- Material: The type of concrete used in the block also affects its strength.
- Construction: The way the blocks are laid and reinforced (e.g., with wire mesh or steel rods) will affect the overall load-bearing capacity of the wall or structure.
- Density: Denser concrete blocks will have a higher compressive strength and can therefore support more weight.
-
Important Note:While concrete blocks are strong, they are not designed to be used as a sole support system for very heavy loads or for structures that are subject to significant tensile forces (forces that pull the material apart).
How to build a garden bed with cinder blocks?
Build the supports for your raised garden bed with the cinder blocks. Make sure to leave enough space between each wall for storage. Then, place wood planks or even a full box on top of the walls to finish the raised bed. If you don’t use a full wooden box, you can place individual cinder blocks on top for your plants.
Do cinder block raised beds need to be tilled?
Unlike traditional garden beds, cinder block raised beds do not require tilling or digging. Simply fill the bed with soil and compost, and you’re ready to start planting. This is also great if you live on hard soil conditions and want to grow more bountiful gardens.
What are the advantages of a cinder block raised bed?
Here are the detailed advantages of creating a cinder block raised bed. Cinder blocks will not rot or become deformed, unlike other materials used in raised garden beds, such as wood. The blocks are highly durable. Cinder blocks are usually readily available just about anywhere because they are easy to manufacture.
How do you build a raised cinder block garden?
The quick-and-dirty way of building a raised cinder block garden is to arrange the blocks, fill in the perimeter with dirt, and start planting. But there’s a little more to it if you want it to thrive and look beautiful, too. Here, we’ll walk you through how to create a four-by-eight-foot cinder block garden bed.
What is a cinder block garden?
Cinder blocks are made from concrete and a cinder aggregate that makes them lighter. Concrete blocks are made from pure concrete. This feature makes it much easier for you to build a raised garden with them. A quick and dirty way to make a raised cinder block garden is to put the blocks in place, add dirt around the edges, and then plant.
What can you grow in a cinder block raised bed?
Plants that thrive in dense areas are the best ones to grow in a cinder block raised bed. These can range from flowers to hardy plants. You can grow lettuce, scallions, beans, leeks, garlic, and herbs. Spinach and strawberries are other good options.