![]() ![]() Height: 2 Concrete Blocks (16 Inches Tall) Dimensions Cost Configuration 8x8x16 Blocks 8x8x8 Blocks 24 in. Height: 1 Concrete Block (8 Inches Tall) Dimensions Cost Configuration 8x8x16 Blocks 8x8x8 Blocks 24 in. Depending on which width you choose, and how high you build it, here’s what it will cost to build concrete block raised garden beds that are 8 feet long. You can probably find cheaper blocks using an online marketplace, but I prefer to buy new concrete blocks so that I’m not unintentionally building a garden bed with decades-old blocks.Īs I’ve noted in an article on plants that grow well in concrete block holes–and as you can see if you keep reading below–the typical concrete block raised garden beds will be anywhere from 24 inches to 64 inches wide. Single 8x8x8 blocks will cost around $1.60 per block. The standard 8x8x16 block will cost roughly $1.90 per block. If not, I recommend concrete blocks because they’re incredibly durable but also quite cheap. If you’ve got money to do so, I highly recommend it. Concrete Blocks Are CheapĪs I mentioned earlier, I think that Vergo produces awesome raised beds, although at $100+ per raised bed system, you’ll definitely pay for what you get. The 2-2-2-1 width might also result in a bed that’s too wide overall for most people’s comfort, although the main interior planting area will only be 40 inches wide. I wouldn’t recommend building anything larger than the 2-2-2-2 configuration because your bed will be too wide to easily access anything planted in the middle of the bed. You can build your concrete block garden beds as long as you’d like them to be, but I’d recommend only 6 different styles in terms of the width of your bed: Style Width # of Holes Configuration 1 24 inches 3 2-1 2 32 inches 4 2-2 3 40 inches 5 2-2-1 4 48 inches 6 2-2-2 5 56 inches 7 2-2-2-1 6 64 inches 8 2-2-2-2 Just place your blocks, make sure they’re level, fill them with soil, and get to work! No tie plates or wood joiners or screws of any kind. Small yard? Stack rows of concrete blocks against a fence. One of the main benefits of gardening with concrete blocks is your ability to customize the dimensions of your garden bed without having to do much of anything beyond arranging and rearranging your concrete blocks. Because of that, I’m convinced that concrete blocks are a cost-effective, safe alternative for building raised beds…which is why I’m growing veggies in them right now! 2. Just to reiterate, I’ve seen zero scientific evidence to suggest that growing vegetables in concrete block garden beds is hazardous to your and your family’s health. Crushed stone and sand are now the most commonly used aggregate materials. It’s true that old-fashioned “cinder blocks” often contained fly ash, a byproduct of burned coal, and that such blocks could potentially be harmful if used to build raised garden beds, but fly ash is rarely, if at all, used in concrete blocks these days. And I’ve spent hours researching this topic. I understand these arguments, but I don’t know of any scientific evidence that backs up such claims. They might also claim that, given enough time, concrete blocks might leach lime into the soil, changing its pH balance and requiring testing and added amendments to return the soil to its normal pH level. They’ll say that, over time, concrete blocks might leach harmful chemicals into the soil, making vegetables grown in such beds potentially unsafe. Those who suggest they aren’t safe typically claim one of two things. ![]() You don’t have to do too many Google searches to find people who are arguing over the relative merits and safety of concrete block raised beds. Here are my top 10 reasons for using concrete blocks for your next raised garden bed project. Throughout the process of building my own concrete block garden bed, I learned various reasons why these are great building materials for anyone interested in raised garden beds. ![]() Unlike old-fashioned cinder blocks, which contained coal ash, concrete blocks are made of a stone or sand aggregate and are thus safe for gardening. They are more durable than wood and cheaper than metal alternatives. ![]() Here’s what I found.Ĭoncrete blocks are a convenient, affordable option for raised garden beds. I was hesitant at first, so I spent hours searching the internet for information about concrete block garden beds and concrete block safety. Walking through my local home improvement store, I stopped in front of the concrete blocks and wondered, “Could I build a raised garden bed with those?” Those amazing metal Vego beds would have been perfect, but I couldn’t spend that kind of cash at the time, so I was looking for an alternative that was more durable than wood but also fairly cheap. Last year, I decided that I wanted to build a raised garden bed against a wooden fence in my backyard. ![]()
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