When we start talking about outdoors and all the fun things to make, build or plant, there is always one project that immediately comes to my mind: cinder block planters. They've been on my DIY must do list for years now and maybe this year — this year will really be the year!
The appeal of these pretty planter groups is twofold. For starters they look chic and modern while still being cost effective. Then the rest of their appeal comes in when you take a look at their footprint in your outdoor space. Many of us only have a small deck or a few feet to enjoy. Why take up that extra room with planters? In this solution you don't have to. Grow up instead of out!
This garden can even move with you without the idea of hauling a raised bed to your next apartment. Though it might take a little bit of muscle to move them, it's amazing how much stronger you feel when you're able to accomplish something for a deal instead of investing your life savings into a project.
Pictured above are two version of cinderblock planters that we've written about before. Revisit them for more info:
• The DIY Modern Outdoor Succulent Planter #2
• Annette's Modern DIY Outdoor Planter
Originally published April 4, 2012
(Images: 1. reader Chris 2. Julie Maigret )
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Very clever!
Love.
I used cinder blocks for my raised bed garden. They are cheap (sometimes free), easy to build with and never rot like wood. I use the holes in the blocks as planters for things that like to be root bound like herbs and to keep strawberries from overtaking the garden.
what do you use for bottoms of cantilever? pieces of durock?
This is great! With paint you could change this up as often as you felt like it!
I saw this on Design on a Dime, and they used a piece of chicken wire mesh for the bottoms of the planted holes. It is enough to hold the soil in place, but also allows for ample drainage.
Love it!
LOVE LOVE LOVE!
LOOOOOVE this!!
Anyone know how good these are at retaining water? I love this idea, might like to try it - but my balcony faces full sun, and I failed at my last garden attempt because I foolishly used clay pots that needed watering 3-4 times a day. Anyone have an idea how often these would have to be watered?
CUTE. I wish my balconies were big enough for me to do this :[ small space friendly doesn't cut it for my 8'x1' balcony, I need some absurdly-tiny-and-totally-unmaneuverable space friendly ideas!
SO doing this this weekend! YAY!
This is neat modern looking, but it looks like a do-able weekend project. Thanks for the inspiration!
Love this! Love how easy and simple it is yet stylish..why haven't I thought of this before. Duh! :)
Dodie, they'd probably have to be watered pretty often since the soil area is small, but you can buy special potting mixtures specifically to hold lots of moisture. I forget what it's called, but I'm sure a garden supply place could help find it.
Painting the outside of the brick with some sort of non-toxic white paint to bounce away sunshine and possibly adding a very light decorative shade to the balcony would help too.
so simple and adaptable - love it
That is really nice.
omg...i'm doing this tomorrow! always wanted a good idea for my boring backyard wall.
Love this. We have a cement block wall (side of the garage) by our patio and keep thinking about a trellis system, etc. but I love the modern look of this!
anyone know what plants what work best for this?
@PSHOUSE34... I am growing herbs in mine, and I saw one of these at Epcot's Flower and Garden Festival planted with succulents.
I really like this.
I built one of these last weekend using the 8" blocks from Home Depot, which have a groove on one side. These solar lights from Ikea fit perfectly in the groove:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60223960/
Don't think I can post a photo here, but I built against a wall and installed lights in all the top blocks to provide accent uplight, worked out really well.
Who knew cinder blocks could look so chic?! This is GREAT design for those of us on a budget. Thanks so much!
~Gwen
http://www.chloeswindow.etsy.com
I could not have imagined an attractive garden win cinder blocks but that is fantastic!
Just a quick tip on the use of clay pots. Put them in your oven on warm, when well heated take a block of parafin wax and rub it over the inside walls of the pots until well absorbed. Take out let cool and your pots will no longer suck up water like a sponge. Do the same thing to the saucer to get it to retain water longer too :)
even with beautiful plantings they still look like cinder blocks (with beautiful plantings.) YUCK!
coryb - thanks for that great tip!
Great idea!
This looks awesome! If I had a big patio like that I would definitely try this!
This looks great for a garden project I'm planning for a client! Simple, cheap, and easy - the trifecta. I do wonder about the watering issue too though. You may have to be conscientious about watering...
This looks great for a garden project I'm planning for a client! Simple, cheap, and easy - the trifecta. I do wonder about the watering issue too though. You may have to be conscientious about watering...
I think these look so cool, but I mentioned them to a friend who does some serious gardening. He said that containers like this can change the pH balance of the soil and damage/kill your plants (not to mention whatever else might be leaching in). Does anyone have any long-term experience with using cinder blocks as planters?
(Not to be a downer, but I suspect that some of these cute, cheap DIY planting suggestions are more photogenic than healthy for plants.)
I have seen set-ups like these at Garden Center's that carry water-features. The staff was very helpful in answering my questions. They are definately jaw dropping in person. I plan to do this this year, although I plan to stain the outer walls so the HOA does not come down on me, LOL!
Consider growing plants that don't need much water—I have succulents in my cinder blocks. The trailing succulents look especially pretty. I rarely water them and they've survived for several years. It's a real pain to weed, however.
coryb, what an awesome solution, coating the insides of clay pots with paraffin!
@dom_dva - i am the owner of the original succulent wall posted in 2009. i can confirm that succulents grow fantastically well in my planters. i have to trim all the overgrowth every few months. and i water then once a week. very low maintenance!
@jaytee-
That's good to hear! Are you out west? I'm afraid succulents wouldn't be too happy spending the winter outside here on the east coast :( Still, it might be worth seeing if some English ivy likes living in cinder blocks.