How to Build Cinder Block Raised Beds
Raised beds for gardening come with many benefits. Aside from being much easier to maintain (especially for gardeners with bad knees or backs), they are beneficial to the growth of the plants. Thanks to their elevated position and construction, raised beds offer their plants rock-free soil, potentially increased sunlight and better air circulation while practically eliminating soil compaction that can create drainage problems (caused by walking in the garden). Cinderblocks are perfect for the job, allowing you to easily and cheaply create a raised bed for your garden. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cinderblocks
- Sand, rocks or gravel
- Measuring tape
- Shovel
- String
- Stakes
- Quality topsoil
- Compost
Instructions
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1
Choose a location for your raised bed. Most flowers, fruits and vegetables need ample amounts of sunlight for growth. Pick a place that receives at least a few hours of direct sunlight per day.
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2
Plan the dimensions of your bed. This will depend on the size and available quantity of cinderblocks. Standard sized cinder blocks are 8 by 8 by 16 inches. While the bed's length may vary according to your available space and planting ambitions, do not plan for the width of your raised bed to exceed about 3 feet, especially if you will only have access to it from one side.
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3
Prepare the ground for your cinderblock bed. Mark the desired space with string and stakes and dig about 6 inches into the soil in the area immediately within your string outline (for standard sized cinderblocks you must dig an 8-inch-wide border along the inside of your planned bed). Once your foundation pit has been dug, flatten and pack the soil so that the bottom is level. Then spread 2 or 3 inches of gravel. This will promote drainage in addition to providing a solid foundation.
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4
Place the first level of cinderblocks. The sides should all be touching, the blocks should form a complete border around the bed and the holes should be facing upward. Fill the holes completely with rocks, sand or gravel.
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5
Place the second level of cinderblocks on top of the first. These should also have the holes facing upward and should be skewed so that they are not directly over the first layer of cinderblocks (by starting the second layer halfway between two blocks on the first layer). Once again, fill the cinderblock holes with rocks, sand or gravel.
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6
Fill the bed with a quality light-weight soil and distribute some compost into the mix. You may begin planting. Add more organic matter such as compost, rotted manure or peat moss as the months and years pass to keep your cinderblock raised bed fertile for planting.
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Tips & Warnings
To enhance soil drainage in your raised bed, add a bag or two of perlite or vermiculite.
