Hi, I had purchased cinder blocks from Homedepot two years ago. I used the garden sheets on the bottom and framed the bed with the blocks. On the out side of the block I used plastic garden fencing since I have deer problem. I put in raised bed soil and mun. I had no luck sadly in producing vegetables from starters or seed. I live in the Pacific Norhthwest, WA. Any suggestions?
When I have struggled with growth, it has almost always come down to a soil quality issue. FoxFarm soil is top-notch. Also, raised beds will always require more nutrients and therefore more fertilizers (and fertilizing more frequently) than in-ground beds. Did you fertilize? When you say "garden sheets," are they permeable? Like not solid plastic, right?
So I was wondering if painting the center blocks with a white paint would help with the heat issue? I have not done a garden and I don’t think I’ll be able to this year but this is something that I want to look into for next year.
Great question. Since I haven’t done it, I can’t say for sure. But since it’s the material - not the color - that causes the heat absorption, I don’t now if painting would change that. Although I guess it does coat it in a different material so maybe?? 🤷♀️ Wish I could be of more help here!
If the blocks aren't attached to the ground or each other, what happens when a wild animal or a child comes in the garden and starts tipping over or moving the blocks? All your veggies and soil fall out?
They’re pretty heavy. The type of critters that make their way into the garden can’t move them, and a little training stops little hands from moving them. We’ve never had issues with these blocks getting displaced. 🙂
There are lots of different “recipes” out there. The one I’ve used is equal parts potting mix, peat moss, and manure. The potting mix has the perlite or vermiculite in it already, so the potting mix component takes care of that aspect. This 3-part (all equal parts) ratio seems the simplest to me, but it’s just one option among dozens. :) When we get back into raising rabbits, we'll definitely be taking advantage of their free manure. It's great!
From what I understand, most Lowe's stores source concrete blocks from one or more local suppliers, so it will likely vary by region. If you call, they may be able to give you the supplier's contact info, and they'll be able to tell you with certainty.
We have a combination of low and high concrete and brick raised beds. The extra heat is a great advantage when growing on the edge seasons ( even through winter for greens). We were able to get many loads of free woodchips and that is what we filled the beds with up until the top 12". It sinks over time as the woodchips decompose, but boy do the earthworm love those beds. The need for extra water is the only drawback (other than filling the beds), but that also means I have well draining soil. When we had weeks of rain during early spring and lots of gardeners were complaining it didnt bother my crops at all.
I wondered about wood chips in the bottom! I have lots of them,so I decided to experiment this year by putting just about 3 inches in the bottom of one of my concrete beds. I only did one because I was concerned about the chips pulling nitrogen from the soil. Have you noticed any effects like that?
@@foodprepguide We still had 8-12 inches of compost above the chips so it didn't make a difference. But I waited until year 2 to plant potatoes in those beds. The chips break down pretty fast under warm, dark, wet conditions.
I am looking to build raised bed in my greenhouse. I live in the desert and so heat is an issue- as you mentioned these blocks will get hot... also we have issues with rodents and bunnies that love to get in the greenhouse. what do you suggest. thanks.
Probably wood-built raised beds with rabbit wire on the bottom to keep the critters from digging under. The concrete beds would probably dry out too quickly and metal beds would get so hot in a greenhouse. Wooden beds don't last forever, which is the downside, but it'll be somewhat sheltered inside a greenhouse, so that should help extend its life.
There are lots of different “recipes” out there. The one I’ve used is equal parts potting mix, peat moss, and manure. The potting mix has the perlite or vermiculite in it already, so the potting mix component takes care of that aspect. This 3-part (all equal parts) ratio seems the simplest to me, but it’s just one option among dozens. 🙂
Another fantastic video! You briefly touched on insect control with other plants/herbs... Can you please do a video on insect and animal control on yard gardens? Also, would creating a mulch boarder around the cinderblocks help insulate from the heat and therefore reduce watering needs? My wife came running upstairs when she heard your video start... She's become a big fan as well! See ya next time!
That’s a great idea! I’ll add it to the list. I actually just filmed a “Top 10 Companion Planting” video, which discussed insect control, but I think an “all things insect & what to do about them” video would prove useful. The companion video should post next week. 🙂 As for the mulch border, that’s a great idea. I do think that would help reduce watering needs!
That’s definitely important in gardening, but I have plenty of in-ground beds where that takes place. For these block beds, I’m wanting/needing as absolutely low maintenance as possible, so weed fabric underneath it is. I wonder if buying/adding earthworms would work well? I guess it would depend on the size of the bed? Might be a fun experiment! As a side note, I caught a worm crawling out of the bed the other day - like slithering across the concrete. I wondered how it got there. I wouldn’t think they would want to climb up that rough surface. 🤔
I am switching to concrete beds this year. You have given me very helpful information. Thank you
Always glad to help a fellow gardener. ❤️
I have three beds made of “cinder” blocks and I used a safe rubber sealant on the interior since I didn’t know if they were a 100% concrete.
Great idea! 🙂
Actually that prevents moisture loss, people use pool liners too
Hi, I had purchased cinder blocks from Homedepot two years ago. I used the garden sheets on the bottom and framed the bed with the blocks. On the out side of the block I used plastic garden fencing since I have deer problem. I put in raised bed soil and mun. I had no luck sadly in producing vegetables from starters or seed. I live in the Pacific Norhthwest, WA. Any suggestions?
When I have struggled with growth, it has almost always come down to a soil quality issue. FoxFarm soil is top-notch. Also, raised beds will always require more nutrients and therefore more fertilizers (and fertilizing more frequently) than in-ground beds. Did you fertilize?
When you say "garden sheets," are they permeable? Like not solid plastic, right?
So I was wondering if painting the center blocks with a white paint would help with the heat issue? I have not done a garden and I don’t think I’ll be able to this year but this is something that I want to look into for next year.
Great question. Since I haven’t done it, I can’t say for sure. But since it’s the material - not the color - that causes the heat absorption, I don’t now if painting would change that. Although I guess it does coat it in a different material so maybe?? 🤷♀️ Wish I could be of more help here!
If the blocks aren't attached to the ground or each other, what happens when a wild animal or a child comes in the garden and starts tipping over or moving the blocks? All your veggies and soil fall out?
They’re pretty heavy. The type of critters that make their way into the garden can’t move them, and a little training stops little hands from moving them. We’ve never had issues with these blocks getting displaced. 🙂
What is the ratio of top soil to manure to peat moss to perlite? Also consider rabbit manure.
There are lots of different “recipes” out there. The one I’ve used is equal parts potting mix, peat moss, and manure. The potting mix has the perlite or vermiculite in it already, so the potting mix component takes care of that aspect.
This 3-part (all equal parts) ratio seems the simplest to me, but it’s just one option among dozens. :)
When we get back into raising rabbits, we'll definitely be taking advantage of their free manure. It's great!
I bought my cinder blocks from Lowe’s does anyone know if they are real concrete.
From what I understand, most Lowe's stores source concrete blocks from one or more local suppliers, so it will likely vary by region. If you call, they may be able to give you the supplier's contact info, and they'll be able to tell you with certainty.
Do a quick search online "Cinder Block vs Concrete Block" and you will have your answer.
We have a combination of low and high concrete and brick raised beds. The extra heat is a great advantage when growing on the edge seasons ( even through winter for greens). We were able to get many loads of free woodchips and that is what we filled the beds with up until the top 12". It sinks over time as the woodchips decompose, but boy do the earthworm love those beds. The need for extra water is the only drawback (other than filling the beds), but that also means I have well draining soil. When we had weeks of rain during early spring and lots of gardeners were complaining it didnt bother my crops at all.
I wondered about wood chips in the bottom! I have lots of them,so I decided to experiment this year by putting just about 3 inches in the bottom of one of my concrete beds. I only did one because I was concerned about the chips pulling nitrogen from the soil. Have you noticed any effects like that?
@@foodprepguide We still had 8-12 inches of compost above the chips so it didn't make a difference. But I waited until year 2 to plant potatoes in those beds. The chips break down pretty fast under warm, dark, wet conditions.
Ummm. That doesn’t look like cinder block raised beds. Looks to me like an in-ground bed with a cinder block border 🤷🏻♀️
You can certainly have deep cinder block raised beds, but many plants grow beautifully with just one level. :)
I am looking to build raised bed in my greenhouse. I live in the desert and so heat is an issue- as you mentioned these blocks will get hot... also we have issues with rodents and bunnies that love to get in the greenhouse. what do you suggest. thanks.
Probably wood-built raised beds with rabbit wire on the bottom to keep the critters from digging under. The concrete beds would probably dry out too quickly and metal beds would get so hot in a greenhouse.
Wooden beds don't last forever, which is the downside, but it'll be somewhat sheltered inside a greenhouse, so that should help extend its life.
Is there a specific ratio of each ingredient for raised bed soil? Half of each one or what? Love you videos have learned so much.
There are lots of different “recipes” out there. The one I’ve used is equal parts potting mix, peat moss, and manure. The potting mix has the perlite or vermiculite in it already, so the potting mix component takes care of that aspect.
This 3-part (all equal parts) ratio seems the simplest to me, but it’s just one option among dozens. 🙂
I get all my blocks from the construction site I don’t buy woods, blocks or dirt.
That’s a blessing! ❤️
Thanks!
Thanks
❤
Many thanks!
Another fantastic video! You briefly touched on insect control with other plants/herbs... Can you please do a video on insect and animal control on yard gardens? Also, would creating a mulch boarder around the cinderblocks help insulate from the heat and therefore reduce watering needs? My wife came running upstairs when she heard your video start... She's become a big fan as well! See ya next time!
That’s a great idea! I’ll add it to the list. I actually just filmed a “Top 10 Companion Planting” video, which discussed insect control, but I think an “all things insect & what to do about them” video would prove useful.
The companion video should post next week. 🙂
As for the mulch border, that’s a great idea. I do think that would help reduce watering needs!
What about encouraging earthworms?
That’s definitely important in gardening, but I have plenty of in-ground beds where that takes place. For these block beds, I’m wanting/needing as absolutely low maintenance as possible, so weed fabric underneath it is.
I wonder if buying/adding earthworms would work well? I guess it would depend on the size of the bed? Might be a fun experiment!
As a side note, I caught a worm crawling out of the bed the other day - like slithering across the concrete. I wondered how it got there. I wouldn’t think they would want to climb up that rough surface. 🤔
Very helpful and informative!! Thank You!
Glad it was helpful! ❤️