Looking for an alternative to the wood pallet garden bed or another, more traditional raised garden bed? Here’s an idea that is super simple: Make a cinder block garden bed by gathering about eight blocks and grouping them into a rectangular shape, leaving a large opening in the middle. No tools are required to build this garden bed — all you need are the blocks and some rich gardening soil!
How to Make a Cinder Block Garden Bed Photo Credit : Dreamstime
Cinder blocks measuring 16″ X 8″ X 6″ can be purchased at most home improvement stores for under five dollars each. And if you have a few blocks kicking around on your property, the investment is even lower. Additionally, the blocks will not rot like wooden enclosures do and small plantings, such as herbs, can be grown in their own separate holes along the border of the bed. The one drawback, of course, is that cinder blocks are heavy — so plan accordingly!
HOW TO MAKE A CINDER BLOCK GARDEN BED
Materials for Making a Cinder Block Garden Bed
8 – 16 X 8 X 6 inch cinder blocks
Gloves
Closed-toe shoes or boots
Cardboard or newspaper to line the bed
A wheelbarrow or two of full of rich soil
A hoe or rake to spread the soil
Seeds and/or seedlings
Instructions for Making a Cinder Block Garden Bed
Choose a level spot that receives full sun and is close to a watering source.
Wear shoes or boots to protect your feet and wear gloves to protect your hands. Place two cinder blocks horizontally at each end and arrange the remaining two cinder blocks vertically on each side to fashion a rectangular shape. If you want a larger bed, simply add more cinder blocks.
Line the opening area with recycled and flattened cardboard box pieces or newspaper.
Fill the garden with rich soil and spread evenly.
Plant seeds and seedlings, water and enjoy!
Have you ever tried gardening with cinder blocks? If so, tell us about your experience in the comment section below!
This post was first published in 2015 and has been updated.
Shelley (Fleming) Wigglesworth is an award-winning freelance journalist from Maine and a certified Maine Master Gardener who writes gardening articles on a regular basis for NewEngland.com. Her work can be found in the following publications: The Village Magazine, York County Coast Star, Yankee Magazine (online), National Fisherman Magazine, Commercial Fisheries News, Points East Magazine, Coastal Angler Magazine and The Maine Lobstermen's Association's "Landings."
