Rethinking Raised Gardens: The Bonnie Way
Design for a Simple Raised Garden Bed has Sparked a Noticeable and Surprising Discussion Amongst Gardeners
When it comes to sleepless nights, some folks toss and turn over politics, while others fretting over socks with sandals. But there's a unique chronicle of Ruth, a woman who made headlines - or rather, drew mixed reactions - for employing an unusual material in constructing her raised garden: cinder blocks.
Despite a few fiery Internet debates, Ruth's garden, resilient and thriving, remains a sight to behold. Sturdy, budget-friendly, and surprisingly aesthetically pleasing, this cinder block raised garden might not initially win admirers, but it has proven to be a reliable, long-lasting choice for gardening enthusiasts.
The Battle of Materials
At first glance, wooden raised beds seem the epitome of picturesque gardening. But appearances can be deceiving, as Ruth discovered with her original garden frame. Plagued by moisture, insects, and degradation, wooden frames can hardly withstand the test of time.
Entered the stage cinder blocks, a resilient and affordable alternative. These construction powerhouses don't warp, rot, or creak under the weight of complaints. If you've ever grown weary of gardening within a struggling, splintered structure, perhaps it's time to follow Ruth's lead. Cinder blocks may not set the "beauty" bar high, but with a little strategic planning, they can blend seamlessly into your backyard.
Wish to create a garden that will either charm its visitors or elicit strong opinions? Allow Ruth to guide you through her techniques.
Building the Foundation
Before arranging blocks, Ruth ensured the ground was level and sprinkled pea gravel across it. While not strictly necessary for every garden bed, leveling the base is crucial when working with heavy, permanent materials like cinder blocks. Uneven bases are likely to result in unstable structures that could crack or shift over time. Starting with a firm, flat base makes every subsequent step easier.
Gluing Together
The practice that sparked a DIY debate: Ruth decided to glue her cinder blocks. Using waterproof bonding adhesive, she glued every surface of every block, from the first layer to the second, from second to third, and so forth. Her garden stands three blocks high, with two rows of solid, standard blocks topped by a row of decorative cap blocks.
The Finishing Touch
To temper the industrial aesthetic, Ruth coat the blocks with cement and smoothed it out for a sleeker surface. After wetting the blocks, she opted to give her creation a rough stucco finish, but you can choose to leave it as smooth as you like. Once the cement cures, she filled the cap blocks with soil and planted flowers in them, transforming the once unappealing structure into a garden bed that could rival any wooden addition.
To Embrace Concrete or Stick with Wood
When considering materials for your raised garden bed, carefully weigh your options. Wood, while easy to manipulate and visually appealing, can deteriorate rapidly when exposed to moisture, insects, and weather. Some gardeners, though, prefer materials that require more upkeep or boast a shorter lifespan simply because they appreciate the natural look.
Cinder blocks offer multiple advantages, including their unwavering strength and minimal maintenance requirements. Though they can be heavy and may not win over those craving a more traditional, rustic aesthetic, their affordability and longevity make them a solid choice for those eager to plant and forget. The choice is ultimately yours, but remember to plan for the long haul.
Meet the Gardening Genius
- Bonnie FerreroFueled by her passion for hiking, cooking, gardening, and home decorating, Bonnie revels in the chance to connect with nature and express her creativity. Through her ceaseless dedication to her craft and her community, she embodies a balanced approach to life, consistently striving for growth, service, and overall well-being.
View all posts
Additional Insights:
Cinder blocks offer numerous benefits for raised garden beds, including:
- Highly durable: Cinder blocks are resistant to rot, decay, and insect damage, unlike wooden beds prone to deterioration due to constant contact with moisture and soil.
- Fireproof: In addition to physical durability, cinder blocks are fireproof, making them suitable as retaining walls or partitions in case of emergencies.
- Minimal maintenance: Cinder blocks require only occasional cleaning, while wooden beds need periodic sealing or staining to maintain appearance and longevity.
- Versatile: Cinder blocks' modular nature lends itself to creative garden layouts and direct planter integration for enhanced aesthetics.
On the other hand, wooden raised beds possess their own merits, such as:
- Natural, warm aesthetic: Wooden beds offer a classic, natural look that blends well with various landscape styles.
- Cedar and redwood: These particular wood species are naturally rot-resistant and can last around 10-15 years without chemical treatment. Pressure-treated lumber can last even longer but may still require maintenance.
- Variety and cost: The cost of wooden raised beds varies and can be more expensive, but cheaper alternatives can be found if premium woods are avoided.
- Ruth's unconventional use of cinder blocks in her raised garden has demonstrated its resilience, aesthetic appeal, and budget-friendliness for gardening enthusiasts.
- To create a stable and long-lasting cinder block raised garden, start by leveling the base and covering it with pea gravel, then glue the blocks using waterproof bonding adhesive.
- To minimize the industrial aesthetic of cinder block raised beds, Ruth applied cement and gave her creation a rough stucco finish, or you can choose to leave it as smooth as desired.
- When choosing materials for a raised garden bed, consider the pros and cons of cinder blocks versus wooden beds, such as cinder blocks' durability, minimal maintenance requirements, and fireproof qualities versus wooden beds' natural look and rot-resistant options.
