This has got to be the best raised bed garden around! The perfect garden system!
It features a 4′ x 16′ growing area that can be covered with shade cloth during the hot summer months for protecting the plants from direct sunlight. During the cooler months, the shade cloth can be replaced with plastic for use as a low tunnel or mini-greenhouse.
The pvc sleeves used for mounting the support hoops can also be used for mounting additional accessories for better plant support or for a watering system.
It is made from durable cinder blocks, so there is no need to worry about replacing rotting boards over the years it will be used.
The advantages of a raised bed garden includes:
– An extending growing season since the sun can more easily heat up the soil
– Better soil management
– Easier weed control
– Easier pest control
– Less bending and stooping when planting and harvesting
– A place to sit while working
– Growing beds with soil that doesn’t get compacted from being walked upon
– Easier and more efficient watering
Materials used:
(32) 16 in. x 8 in. x 4 in. Concrete Solid Block
(64) 8 in. x 8 in. x 16 in. Concrete Block
– Be sure to get 8 corner blocks
Several bags of sand and gravel for leveling
For the optional hoops and other accessories, we’ll also need:
– 20 pieces of 1-½” pcv tubing cut into 16″ lengths
– 1 roll of 1-inch vinyl black well tubing. This comes in 100-foot rolls
– About 5-6 bags of concrete mix for installing PVC tubes
Other optional items:
– Landscaping fabric
– Hardware cloth screening
– Shade cloth for protecting plants from sun and wind
– Plastic for cold weather covering
The bed is made by setting a layer of sold concrete blocks and then by stacking two rows of cinder blocks on top. Next, pcv sleeves are inserted and concreted in place to insert hoops made from vinyl well tubing. The concrete also serves to strengthen the structure. Finally, soil is added.
Video Rating: / 5
Turner is Right
That's really neato keen. Thanks for sharing that. I like the idea. I see you have a drip irrigation system but you could actually drill a bunch of tiny holes on the top center line hook up a hose and it becomes a misting system too!
concrete cinder blocks are very alkaline and will affect the edge of your raised beds soil
Paint your block with a black seal paint, this will increase temp for a longer grow season
Looks good, but from past experience I suspect tree roots will come up through the bottom of the bed within three to four years and render the bed useless. Hope it doesn't happen to you, but that's been my experience.
its been 3 years since this was posted I would be very interested to see if this is still standing, since no footing was poured, or has it fallen down as I expected it has. This project has so many faults I would never recommend anyone to follow these plans. If you want this type of bed hire a professional to install it, this is not a diy project for most people.
you sure have a calm and soothing voice.
We have Bermuda Grass–which given the chance would take over the world. It's runners are sharp and punch holes through garden fabric with ease. We ended up putting down a couple of layers of cardboard and then topped it with a layer of concrete board.
plz can u advise me whether I can built these raised bed on the roof of my building slab instead of doing it on ground
The way it's positioned in the square is driving me crazy!! Why not put it to the side and add another one or put it directly in the middle? Sorry, OCD acting up.
Very nice, great idea..Thanks
Thanks sharing, good idea with the hardware wire. Great vid guys!
Also, my current garden has a slope. The lowest end is probably a block or two below the highest end. Should I just use a stair case going up the slope? Or should I dig to form a level base?
How has this bed been working? Any shifting of the blocks?
is there a possibility of chemicals leaching from the concrete into soil and plants?
coole Idee…schönes Beet….:-)
lime is a natural ph buffer right?
Quality production, well informed, wise approach, and great presentation. Thanks for sharing this.
I love this design although the access would be challenging. Have you done any research on cement or concrete chemical leaching into the soil? I came across this site trying to research: http://preventdisease.com/news/15/020615_Warning-Cinder-Block-Concrete-Masonry-Gardens.shtml I've always heard use natural cedar for raised beds.
I'm not sure where in Ohio you are, but have you had any issues with frost heaving the blocks during the winter? I'm in MI so our winters can be pretty brutal but Ohio is just south of us so I figured I would ask.
Thanks for posting this video. I've been planning a series of beds very similar to yours . I really like your idea with the double hoops to capture the covers.