Hey, look at that. Pretty neat. Flowers? Veggies? What cha gonna do on the right side?

More Veggies on the left side, hopefully a cold frame or two for next fall. Right side has concrete block now (1/2 a block narrower). It's planted with a hundred odd tulips for cutting.

I like that. I'm thinking of how Im going to plant some tulips and other spring bulbs in a hurry since the ground is still frozn a bit. I thought I would put some blocks around the kids tree house which now the kids are teenagers. So I thought they would be the quickest to get a show and get them planted. If they become in the way, then later I'll replant them elsewhere.

I really think the concrete blocks look crappy.

Nice beds and a harmless long lasting material to make them with (compared to pressure treated wood, say). There's something about cement blocks - they can look awful as a building material but go good with the colours of a garden. I want to make a cement block composter. And saw a picture of cement planters that makes me wonder whether it would be feasible to make moulds for small, square poured-cement planters.

Paul, check out the hypertufa forum here. They make some awesome stuff out of concrete.

I like the concrete block for a functional veg. style garden. It has the utiliterian look about it that doesn't bother me in the least. I don't think I would put it in my front yard with shrubs, mixed border though.

Kathy

I was thinking of making a retaining wall out of these types of blocks and then rendering it.

Kathy, I think that looks like a terrific solution. A cap of those rectangular pavers on top would provide a nice seating/kneeling area, and cover the holes. (I'd use one of those foamy kneeler pads to save a bit of wear and tear on the old knees. My knees. Yours might not be so middle-aged :-)

I bet the concrete helps extend the gardening season a bit too, warming things up, holding the heat. My husband has been wanting to build edging for my raised beds, but I didn't want wood. This would be a good alternative.

Ooh, another good point of those concrete blocks- it would be very easy to put in support poles in the holes for a mini hoophouse system.

Support poles? Do you mean pvc pipe? Trying to picture this, I like the idea...

Yes, Paul (here's a link (below) for a visual).

Cantstop, it would work well, I'm hoping to do some form of winter gardening next Fall. I used the somewhat smaller concrete block and only went one high. If I wanted to sit on it I would do the regular block, two high, I'd probably pound in some rebar at strategical places to give the two high more stability. If you plant the holes I would use potting soil with a small amount of compost and not garden soil.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:257704}}

That's nice, though I was picturing black, thicker pvc pipe with the ends stuck in the holes of cinderblocks.
Garden soil in the holes would be too heavy, you think?
Still liking the idea, and wondering where I might find free cinderblocks.

Paul it's like using regular garden soil for your potted plants, too heavy, compacts. The first time I used mostly compost - too much shrinkage. I've been very happy with the potting soil.

personally, i wouldn't waste the holes in the blocks. they would be filled with soil and planted in. i don't have the beds like you do, but i have a small row of them bordering the neighbor's side in which i plant.

Those look like good beds to me, Bostonian!

I am planning to edge my new lasagne bed (for veggies) with concrete blocks as well -- only I'm going to PAINT the outside edge of the concrete first, with patio paint. Sky blue. When I'm done I'll plant some marigolds in the holes on top. I'm hoping the final effect will be vibrant and cheery but not quite psychadelic enough to scare away my friends...

That looks great. I will be building some raised beds for a vegetable garden in the spring and am strongly considering cinder blocks. I would probably stack them two high and would definitely plant in the holes.

Thanks for posting your pic, you just gave me an idea!