Using cinder or concrete blocks in the garden

[val2525]

Really cool ideas:












More Painted Block Ideas

From what I was reading, painting and sealing the block helps keep chemicals in the block from leeching into the soil (and makes for a much cuter look).

I might be able to have some plants this year after all!

[val2525]

I was thinking of using the skinner paver style but set on their side, as the "retaining wall" for a raised flower bed and thought it would look really cute with the blocks painted different colors. LIke a quilt or fiesta patio.

BTW, in the middle picture, I *think* the two balls are old reused bowling balls.

[Shirley U Geste]

I like the top one with the staggered blocks. That would be great for herbs or succulents.

I used the blocks to make my raised garden bed and that works great.

[val2525]

Ah, but did you paint them to liven up the place? That's what I want to do.

[Shirley U Geste]

  Nope, no painting. The ones I used are have a textured outside edge so they look nice without painting.

I may go up another layer next year and we are out of those blocks so I will use regular ones and after that article I think I will paint them like my Talavera pots.

Painting them would be a good winter project since it would be more then 40 bricks. 

[val2525]

I'm going to have to measure the gravel area on the outside of my patio wall. It has my wall on one side, sidewalk for behind me unit on the other side. It's the only area that gets sun now so I'd like to figure out an attractive way to grow herbs there. I'm thinking something like that first arrangement just might work. I can also tell the couple in the C unit and Grumpy Landlord in A unit that they can help themselves to the herbs too.

[val2525]

I think a smaller version, like below, would work. My dirt area (now graveled in by landlord) is a little deeper, so I don't think the longwise blocks would block the sidewalk. I'd paint them different colors though.

[val2525]

We had a variation of this when we lived in the 5th wheel. Ours was shorter, since we used it for seating instead of as a dining/cooking table.

The 5th wheel had a big awning, so we laid down several sections of green grass outdoor carpeting the length of the awning. We painted the long double cinder blocks different colors.  BF at the time took wood like above, sanded/varnished it, and put it on top of the long blocks at about seat height.  He outlined the back edge of the 'grass patio' and the outer long side with the "benches", leaving the other long side open (butted up to the fifthwheel) and the other end was open (faced the front).  I then had outdoor cushions scattered along the wood for seating, along with small planter pots in between the 'seating areas'. 

We laid additional pieces of the 'grass carpet' beyond the awning to the front of the 5th wheel and had the patio table with umbrella out there, and more plants in pots. We basically tripled our "patio" area by using both covered and uncovered sections. It was gorgeous.  We always had folks stopping by to sit and chat on the weekends.  I miss it.

[Shirley U Geste]

Mar 12, 2017 23:24:50 GMT val2525 said:

That is about the size I would need for herbs. I will think on it, I could do it this season and just paint bright colors with no designs cause that would go pretty fast. I could add designs when I do the other ones around the bed garden next season.  Depends on how motivated I get.  

[denise15601]

ahhh-nothing like planning a summer garden! My only project will be more containers for veggie plants on my back porch railing.
I did order 2 red geraniums from my friend for a benefit for my front porch pots.