Landscaping Ideas With Cinder Blocks

Container Gardening

• One of the easiest and versatile uses of cinder blocks is for container gardening. The small openings are sized just right for small plantings such as herbs, small trailing flowers and grown covers. You can create an herb section to border a patio near a kitchen door and go outside to snip basil, oregano and other herbs for meals. Let guests snip sprigs of mint and serve mojitos as a summer drink. Plant clustering or trailing flowers, such as Alyssum or creeping phlox, inside the cinder block holes. Lay the blocks horizontally so that the holes are on top, add potting soil and plants. Water plantings frequently during hot weather as the blocks might retain heat.

Raised Flowerbed

• A raised flowerbed is a favorite project for using cinder blocks. The bed will last longer, and you will have a structure and protective barrier that will not attract wood-loving insects and pests. The biggest task is to level the foundation area. Use rebar and cement to mortar and adhere the blocks. Add a layer of gravel to provide drainage inside of the raised planting bed. The width of the cinder blocks will also come in handy as a convenient resting spot for garden tools and supplies and will even allow you to sit and enjoy your plantings.

Compost Bin

• Use cinder blocks to make composting a permanent component of your gardening practices. Find a sunny spot to build a bin that need only be three or four blocks high. You can even tuck it away in a corner of your yard if the look or smell is an issue -- but again, ensure that the location will provide what Mother Nature will need to process matter added into the bin into compost.

Retaining Wall

• Cinder blocks can be an inexpensive way to create a retaining wall. They can also provide a more permanent and structurally sound alternative to materials such as railroad ties or wood. The additional advantage is that cinder blocks will not attract insects such as termites onto the property. If the gray color is a concern, there are even ways to put that concern to rest. Thanks to cement stains, you can transform the blocks into natural looking hues of brown or green to tie in with the landscape.

Outdoor Grill Island Frame

• Creating an outdoor cooking station is increasing common. One of the biggest challenges to the project is to create a frame structure to insert that will house the gas or charcoal grill, refrigerator and to create a base for the counter surface. Cinder block can be used to frame the outdoor cooking island for a lot less than alternatives, such as metal, and without the potential problems of splintering, mold or breaking that a wood frame can present. Cinder blocks won't rust, and they can hold very heavy weights. Their porosity is also advantageous to serve as the foundation for laying a tile countertop to the island and as a foundation for adding stacked stone to the base.