These are actually concrete block garden beds covered in surface bonding cement, but that was too much of a mouthful for a title. Ha!
I wanted to plant some berry plants along our fence line, parallel to our septic lines, but I didn’t want well….poop berries or a ruined septic system, so I needed to come up with a way to contain the berries and keep them the requisite 10 feet away.
Concrete block beds seemed like a good choice, but I didn’t want them to look like concrete blocks. I found this QuikWall product from Quikrete that not only pretties up the blocks a bit but also literally cements them together into a sturdy, permanent structure. It was all a bit of an experiment because the only tutorials I could find when I started this project last year, were for small walls. It made sense though that if this stuff can make walls sturdy then it could handle a foot tall garden bed…And it did!
*I used 19 concrete blocks, 19 caps, and about 1.5 bags of surface bonding cement per bed. I found my concrete blocks from Home Depot for $1.45 a piece.
*I wasn’t able to find QuikWall at my local big box store, although I think some locations carry it, so I ordered it through my local tile shop.
**You want to use a gravel that can be compacted like what is used in driveways. I used granite gravel with “minus” or gravel dust that gets in between the rocks and helps it compact so that when you walk on it, you don’t sink. Do not use pebble gravel or any gravel that has smooth rocks. This will not compact and will create an unsteady base for your blocks.
I put together a video tutorial below that documents what I did. It shows you how the mixture looks being spread on, which is probably the most helpful part. I still recommend reading the written tutorial because there are lot of details that I didn’t include because it would have made the video too long.
I sometimes use the word “cinder” in place of “concrete” when describing these concrete blocks. To a lay person, these terms are often used interchangeably and I wanted to use terms that would be easily recognized. I also used them interchangeably, not knowing there was an important difference, until I shared this post.
Older cinder blocks are made with fly ash and contain chemicals that can be harmful to your health. Newer concrete blocks that you can get at the hardware store do not contain fly ash. They are made of water, stone, and concrete and they are safe for food. If you are using these beds to grow food, please use new concrete blocks.
Cinder block garden beds are a practical and affordable way to elevate your backyard. But plain concrete blocks can look dull and industrial. Give your garden an instant facelift by adding a fresh coat of paint!
Vibrantly colored and artistically painted cinder block beds breathe new life into tired spaces. They add personality visual interest and a fun pop of color. Read on to discover how paint transforms basic blocks into beautiful garden features.
Benefits of Painted Cinder Block Beds
Beyond just aesthetics painting cinder blocks offers many advantages
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Bright colors make the bed edges stand out, preventing grass and weeds from invading.
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Paint hides ugly cracks, stains and flaws in used blocks.
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A smooth painted surface resists dirt and is easy to clean.
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Paint protects concrete from damage caused by weathering and moisture.
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Custom colors allow beds to coordinate with your color scheme.
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Patterns and textures disguise the blocks’ hard edges for a softer, more natural look.
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Painting is inexpensive but makes beds look professionally designed and finished.
Choose Exterior Masonry Paint
For best results, use high-quality acrylic latex paint formulated for exterior masonry surfaces. Avoid flat paints which don’t hold up on rough, porous concrete. Satin or semi-gloss sheens provide maximum durability and vivid color.
Behr Premium Plus Ultra and Valspar Duramax are top-rated masonry paints. Allow painted blocks to cure for several days before stacking. Apply multiple coats for full, even coverage.
Design Ideas for Painted Beds
With the right paint colors and application techniques, drab cinder blocks transform into stunning beds that elevate your entire garden’s look. Here are some creative ways to dress up plain blocks with color and style:
Solid Blocks of Color
Painting all visible surfaces of stacked blocks in a single vibrant hue makes a bold impact. Try bright sunny tones like citron, marigold or cherry red. For a more Zen look, use tranquil blues and greens. Deep wine reds and chocolate browns are rich and elegant.
Ombre or Color Gradients
Create visual interest by gradually transitioning between shades as you stack rows. Fade from light to dark or rainbow colors. Ombre painting minimizes harsh edges.
Color Blocking
Alternate stacks or rows painted contrasting colors like black and white or pink and purple. This eye-catching graphic style adds modern flair.
Freeform Painted Patterns
Use stencils, sponges and dry brush techniques to create dazzling textures and designs. Paint on polka dots, stripes, geometric shapes, brickwork, or even words!
Two-Tone Designs
Paint just the outer block faces, or alternate blocks in two colors. Try a checkerboard or front-facing stripes effect. Two tone blocks look crisp and tailored.
Accent Walls
Paint blocks on a single outer side an accent color, leaving other sides neutral for a subtle pop of color. Use shaded blocks to mimic vertical stripes.
Upcycled and Mixed Media
Incorporate reclaimed wood, tiles, mirrors or found objects into block stacks for whimsical beds with depth. The juxtaposition of materials and colors adds modern edge.
Tips for Painting Cinder Blocks
Follow these tips to ensure your painted blocks make a stylish statement:
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Thoroughly clean blocks with a pressure washer before painting.
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Apply masonry primer first for better paint adhesion.
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Use satin or semi-gloss exterior paint for durability and vibrancy.
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Add multiple coats for complete, even coverage with no bare spots.
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Allow paint to cure fully before stacking, at least 24-48 hours.
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Use painter’s tape for clean lines when doing patterns or designs.
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Seal painted beds annually to protect the finish.
Easy DIY Cinder Block Garden Bed
Follow these simple steps to create your own painted block garden bed:
Plan the Design
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Decide on layout, shape, size and location.
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Sketch out color schemes or patterns.
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Buy masonry primer and acrylic latex paint.
Prepare the Blocks
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Clean blocks thoroughly with a pressure washer.
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Allow blocks to dry fully before painting.
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Apply primer and let dry per manufacturer directions.
Paint the Blocks
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Use rollers, brushes or sprayers to apply paint.
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For designs, use stencils, freehand painting, sponging, etc.
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Allow paint to cure 24-48 hours before stacking.
Assemble the Bed
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Level and prep the site, marking layout with stakes.
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Dig trench 18-24″ deep, add gravel, tamp down.
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Stack painted blocks, backfilling with soil periodically.
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Cap off top row when complete.
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Fill bed with rich potting soil. Plant!
Enjoy Your Colorful Garden Bed!
Adding a fresh coat of paint gives boring cinder blocks new life! Vivid solids, ombre blends, patterns and designs let you create beds as unique as your gardening style. Painted block beds add artistic flair that makes your entire garden pop.
With just inexpensive craft paint and simple painting techniques, anyone can easily transform dull concrete blocks into vibrant garden features. The colors and designs you can create are endless.
Painted cinder block beds are highly functional yet budget friendly accents that elevate the look of any landscape. Building your own colorful block bed is easy, fun and adds custom cottage charm to your garden.
Step Five: Add cap blocks.
This part is fun. Just add the cap blocks, ensuring the placement is staggered with the concrete blocks. It goes by super fast because you already did the hard work of leveling the first layer!
Step Four: Add concrete blocks.
Now is the time to get picky about leveling. As you add your concrete blocks, ensure that they are perfectly level. You may have to add or subtract gravel to get this just right. I also recommend re-compacting any disturbed gravel, which I didn’t always do and ended up regretting later (I’ll explain at the end).
This step takes the longest, but it’s very important to get right as it determines the stability of the beds and makes the next steps much easier.
24 Best Painted Cinder Block Ideas That Will Add More Color To Your Home
FAQ
Are cinder blocks safe for garden beds?
Stay away from old-fashioned cinder blocks, which may contain heavy metals—not a good thing for food gardens.
How to paint cinder blocks for a garden?
To paint a cinder block wall with acrylic paint, clean the surface, apply masonry primer, then use acrylic paint designed for masonry. Apply even coats, allowing each to dry before adding more layers. Finish by sealing with a masonry sealer for protection.
What kind of paint do you use on cinder blocks?
We recommend purchasing acrylic latex paint for your cinder blocks. You can also explore masonry paint. Using either of those paints will help you achieve professional results. As we mentioned earlier, you’ll want to talk with one of the experts at your local paint store.
Is it safe to paint raised garden beds?
Non-toxic paint on the outside of your raised beds will not affect the plants growing inside the bed. Some examples of non-toxic paint include milk paint (made from natural ingredients like milk protein, organic pigment, and lime) and VOC-free latex paints (VOC stands for volatile organic compounds).
Can you put cinder blocks on a raised bed?
Topping plain cinder blocks with fancy slate tiles is an affordable way to create a stylish raised bed. This will make for a comfortable seat, a surface to place tools, and look beautiful from any angle. A great way to take a simple vegetable garden up a notch! Images credit: Growing Fruit
What is a cinder block?
Cinder blocks are a clever way to bring otherwise boring features of your garden to life. Take garden edging, for example. Many people use small walls of brick, stone, or other materials to line the edges of their gardens. It’s especially useful around paths or small gardens in the middle of a yard.
What is a cinder block garden?
Cinder block gardens are a great way to grow fresh vegetables and flowers in a small space. These blocks are inexpensive and can be used to create many different styles and patterns. We will show you how they can be used to create garden beds, planters, retaining walls, outdoor decorative accents, and more below.
Can you paint a cinder block garden wall?
The paint can be done in any color that matches the patio decor, which is a nice bonus. Plus, having a flat-edged border provides a great place to sit and drink a cup of tea or plant vegetable seedlings. 2. Create a Cinder Block Garden Wall Image credit: Dennis Yang via Creative Commons A vertical garden is an excellent design idea.
Can cinder blocks be used for garden edging?
A colorful collection of cinder blocks is built up to create a raised garden bed. You can add plants in the middle of the wall by rotating blocks 45 degrees. You use any potting soil blend in the different sections. 10. Make Garden Edging With Cinder Blocks Red bricks are commonly used as garden edging.
How to paint cinder blocks?
Geometric patterns are a popular painting technique for cinder blocks because it’s easy to add personality with color. Each cinder block has a unique color, yet they are connected by their simple triangular shape. Stacked like bricks, they work as a vertical garden for succulents. 12. Build Narrow Cinder Block Shelves