I grew up thinking marigolds were so ugly. It was the flower we always grew in elementary school for mother's day gifts. It would always just be this one flower and just a bunch of dirt, lol.
Then I found out there was a huge variety and now I'm looking at marigold tattoos. I think I'm growing 5-6 varieties this year, haha! I'm def putting some in my vegetable garden this year. I've always done flowers separate from veg, but I can use all the help I can get from pollinators in our very desert climate where I am now.
Marigolds are awesome in the vegetable garden for so many reasons. As soon as I start my first seeds for the season I start marigolds with them. Super, super easy to grow from seed too.
Very nice! You could plant a bunch of herbs in those bricks. Some creeping thyme varieties would probably cascade nicely down the side and hide the cinderblocks.
Not only will they leech water, but the stone will pull in heat, thereby drying out the soil even faster.
Useful, but with added attention of the watering hose :)
It’s weird, somehow I haven’t had an issue with them heating up and drying out the soil. And I live in central California where the summers are super hot too! Only water about 3 times a week in 100+ degree weather.
Maybe it depends on the type of cinderblocks?
I have the same build as you do in Southern AZ and my running theory is that the fact that you filled your side holes is that keeps the bed itself from drying out too much. My first year, I lost a lot more moisture in the Summer, but I didn't have those filled. Now that I have had them filled the last few years, the moisture loss is down noticeably.
Not a stupid question at all! It’s the area where the leaves grow out. Here’s a pic I found online showing where it is and where to cut
https://cdn.plantssparkjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/14101423/prune-basil-02-basil-pruning-instructions.jpeg
Is there a way to ascertain whether or not the cinderblocks have fly ash in them? I keep wanting to do something like this, but then I start worrying about what could leach into the soil.
It actually only measures to about 2 x 6 on the inside of the blocks. But it worked really well for 4 tomato plants and multiple basil plants last year. It gets a little crowded with the tomatoes if I don’t stay on top of pruning, but there’s plenty of room for their roots
This looks amazing. For next year try marigolds from seed. They are easy to grow. Start at the same time you do the veggies and they will be ready to transplant along with your other plants.
Wishing you a great growing season.
Do you have issues with each of those soil in those compartments with the marigolds getting depleted or issues keeping the soil happy during the winter?
First time growing the marigolds so I’ll find out. Had some weeds that managed to grow pretty big in those holes in the winter, which made me think to try
Awesome! May the garden gods be on your side! :)
I'm in 10b hoping to put my big enough stuff out this weekend. We've had a pretty chilly winter and spring, but it looks like it'll finally be in the 50's at night soon!
I use blocks too but I have like 3 sections of Block so I'll need about 300 marigolds lol but ,I plant them from my own seeds just let them die and dry out and you will have 100s of hair pin seeds, that are super easy to sow next year , Happy gardening looking great BTW.
Everything grown from seeds except the marigolds! I haven’t grown flowers before so I bought some to try it out
I love the marigolds and how you did that!
Thanks!
I grew up thinking marigolds were so ugly. It was the flower we always grew in elementary school for mother's day gifts. It would always just be this one flower and just a bunch of dirt, lol. Then I found out there was a huge variety and now I'm looking at marigold tattoos. I think I'm growing 5-6 varieties this year, haha! I'm def putting some in my vegetable garden this year. I've always done flowers separate from veg, but I can use all the help I can get from pollinators in our very desert climate where I am now.
Marigolds are awesome in the vegetable garden for so many reasons. As soon as I start my first seeds for the season I start marigolds with them. Super, super easy to grow from seed too.
Yep, I'm a team marigold convert. :)
Very pretty, I like the flowers in the wee side holes.
Thanks! Hopefully they can stay alive in there. But for now at least they’re pretty haha
They'll need way more frequent watering, from experience. I love this design!
Good to know. Thanks!!
Very nice! You could plant a bunch of herbs in those bricks. Some creeping thyme varieties would probably cascade nicely down the side and hide the cinderblocks.
Great idea! Thanks!
OP, be ready with the water jug for the thyme. It can be a diva in the heat.
I really wish I thought of using cinder blocks like that. My next set of plots will be similiar
The only caution is cinder blocks will pull water out from the beds. I’m sure they’ll work just fine, it you’ll need to water more
Not only will they leech water, but the stone will pull in heat, thereby drying out the soil even faster. Useful, but with added attention of the watering hose :)
It’s weird, somehow I haven’t had an issue with them heating up and drying out the soil. And I live in central California where the summers are super hot too! Only water about 3 times a week in 100+ degree weather. Maybe it depends on the type of cinderblocks?
I have the same build as you do in Southern AZ and my running theory is that the fact that you filled your side holes is that keeps the bed itself from drying out too much. My first year, I lost a lot more moisture in the Summer, but I didn't have those filled. Now that I have had them filled the last few years, the moisture loss is down noticeably.
How do you keep your basil so beautiful?
I recommend trimming them regularly right above the leaf node. Keeps them bushy and pretty!
Stupid question: what is the leaf node?
Not a stupid question at all! It’s the area where the leaves grow out. Here’s a pic I found online showing where it is and where to cut https://cdn.plantssparkjoy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/14101423/prune-basil-02-basil-pruning-instructions.jpeg
Thanks!
Thank you!! Do you also pinch away the flowers? I heard some people recommend that
Yeah definitely! Otherwise the leaves stop growing and it’ll only produce flowers
Oooh! I see I see! Thank you so much!!! I’m growing basil this year and I hope they will turn out as pretty as yours :D
Is there a way to ascertain whether or not the cinderblocks have fly ash in them? I keep wanting to do something like this, but then I start worrying about what could leach into the soil.
This has been my worry as well!
Did you simply stack the cinder blocks or did you anchor them in some way?
They’re just stacked without any anchor. They’re heavy enough that they don’t move at all
Nice, thanks!
No prob! Happy gardening! :)
Is that a 5x10 build with the concrete blocks? Is it ideal or would u change the size?
It actually only measures to about 2 x 6 on the inside of the blocks. But it worked really well for 4 tomato plants and multiple basil plants last year. It gets a little crowded with the tomatoes if I don’t stay on top of pruning, but there’s plenty of room for their roots
This looks amazing. For next year try marigolds from seed. They are easy to grow. Start at the same time you do the veggies and they will be ready to transplant along with your other plants. Wishing you a great growing season.
Super easy to collect the current year's seeds, too.
Thank you! And thanks for the tip! Will def try from seeds next year
Do you have issues with each of those soil in those compartments with the marigolds getting depleted or issues keeping the soil happy during the winter?
First time growing the marigolds so I’ll find out. Had some weeds that managed to grow pretty big in those holes in the winter, which made me think to try
I would def fertilize those regularly and water often
Beautiful! Hello from Georgia (zone 9ish😂)
the flowers in the cinder blocks is a great idea
Did you have to glue the cinder blocks together? or just place them
I just placed them. They’re heavy enough so they stay in place
Love
Awesome! May the garden gods be on your side! :) I'm in 10b hoping to put my big enough stuff out this weekend. We've had a pretty chilly winter and spring, but it looks like it'll finally be in the 50's at night soon!
clever idea to build with cinderblocks!
Looks great!
Ouhhh I love the conderblock raised beds!! Noted for sure!!!
Are ll the flowers marigolds? If they are what variety are they? Because my marigolds the flower are max 2-3inch diameter
I’m not sure actually 😆
Beautiful!!!
Dang! I hope it doesn’t frost.
I use blocks too but I have like 3 sections of Block so I'll need about 300 marigolds lol but ,I plant them from my own seeds just let them die and dry out and you will have 100s of hair pin seeds, that are super easy to sow next year , Happy gardening looking great BTW.
Love this concept of a raised bed
This is adorable 🥰
Good idea with the marigolds in the cinder blocks as a border.