![]() ![]() Don't line the bottom however, because you want the soil to be able to drain rather than create a pond. Since I'm not able to provide conclusive evidence, if you feel more comfortable, you can always line the blocks with a thick (6 mil) plastic. There are studies that show that using treated wood is not okay. In fact most of the Extension sources I found from universities around the country still recommend using them for raised bed gardens. There is a lot of anecdotal information online from various sources, but again, I didn't find any science based research. ![]() Because of the fly ash there is the possibility of some leaching of other compounds, however I did not find any conclusive research that deemed them dangerous to use for your application. In the research that I did for your question the main thing that I found was that the blocks will (over time) leach lime which alters the soil's pH. Glad to hear that you are introducing gardening to your child's school! So much can be learned through gardening. I would love any insight or tips that anyone has.I'm sort of freaking out as we hope to fill our beds with soil this weekend. Or lining the sides of the beds with a heavy plastic to avoid the soil contacting the bricks. Seems like this may not happen unless the bricks are actually fractured but since the potential is there and we have caught it early we want to do something about it.ĭoes anyone out there know anything about this? The solutions seem to be sealing the bricks - which would be using some sort of chemical product which we would prefer to avoid. After the first weekend of work a teacher came into school and saw that the raised beds were made of cinder blocks and said that they are potentially dangerous as well!! Oy!! We had never heard of this and after some internet research and speaking with an expert we have learned the problem is when these bricks are made with Fly Ash (which ours are - an 8% concentration) which is a by-product of coal - they can leach things such as radium and arsenic. We received an amazing grant from our local Lowe's and they are building our raised beds for us. As a Learning Garden committee we decided that using concrete blocks as a raised bed material would be more sustainable than using any treated wood which would possibly expose our soil to chemicals. By following the above steps and points, you can enjoy growing vegetables, flowers and lawns in your own garden.I have been planning and spearheading a school garden at my children's elementary school in Golden Co for the last year and a half. Fertilize and prune regularly according to the needs of different plants to ensure healthy plant growth.īy using concrete blocks to build a raised garden bed, you can easily create a beautiful and productive planting space. Water the raised garden bed regularly and keep it properly humid. Choose plants suitable for the local climate and sunlight conditions, and follow the correct planting guidelines. Now you can grow a variety of plants on your elevated garden bed according to your preferences and planting plan. Depending on the needs of the plants you are growing, appropriate organic fertilizers can be added to provide nutrients. Adjust the position of the brick until the desired levelness is reached.įill the brick bed with the appropriate amount of soil and compost. Use a level to check the levelness and straightness of the brick bed. ![]() Step 5: Check the levelness and straightness Use a hammer or hammer to position the bricks and make sure they are securely connected. You can choose to stack the bricks in a single layer, or create multiple raised garden beds as needed. Start laying concrete blocks on the bed base. You can also place a grass repellent cloth on the bed base to prevent weeds from growing. Use a shovel and hoe to clean the selected area, making sure the bottom is level and removing any weeds or obstructions. Shovel and hoe: For preparing and arranging the bed base. Level: Used to ensure the levelness of the brick bed. Hammer or hammer: Used to adjust and install bricks. Soil and compost: Choose the right soil and compost for your planting needs. Step 2: Obtain the required materials and toolsīefore you start building, you'll need the following materials and tools:Ĭoncrete blocks: Purchase sufficient quantities of concrete blocks according to your planned size and height requirements. This location should be able to get plenty of sunlight and facilitate your daily management and maintenance. Using concrete blocks is an affordable and durable way to build an elevated garden bed, and this article will walk you through the steps and essentials of making an elevated garden bed.įirst, you need to choose a suitable location to build your raised garden bed. A raised garden bed can provide a convenient and manageable planting space, perfect for growing at home. ![]()
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