Introduction: Cinder Block Planter
The kids were home from college and one wanted to plant some herbs for his summer cooking, the other wanted to make a succulent garden. Since we are under drought conditions and have to cut our water by 30 percent, something that wouldn't require a lot of watering was necessary. This cinder block block planter worked for both!
Step 1: Materials
Cinder blocks (we used 9 but you can make your planter as big as you want)
Potting soil
Plants - we used herbs and succulents
Galvanized wire mesh
Garden fabric
Two 1/4"x1"x18" galvanized steel strips
Step 2: Figure Out How You Want to Stack the Blocks
Try stacking the block in different ways to see which will work the best for your space to create interest.
Step 3: Wire Mesh and Landscape Fabric
To hold the soil up in a single block cavity rather than fill each cavity deep, wire mesh and landscape fabric were cut and put under the blocks to hold the soil and let water drain. Put the mesh first and then cover with the fabric.
Step 4: Cantilever Block
To create some interest one block was cantilevered. Two strip of metal were cut to length and put under the block to hold the wire mesh and fabric in place.
Step 5: Time to Plant
Now it is time to fill the blocks with soil and plant the plants. Some cinder blocks at the brickyard had larger holes then others, so you may want to do some research before buying your blocks.

Participated in the
Backyard Contest
6 Comments
Question 4 years ago
What kind and strength of glue was used on the blocks and fabric?
7 years ago
They stopped making cinder blocks 60 years ago they are cement now
7 years ago
I didn't think the two could mix. Dosnt water explode em?
Reply 7 years ago
if that was the case then buildings all over the world would be blowing up whenever it rained. what you might be thinking about is when they get neat open flame or extreme heat. they are called cinder blocks because they are made with pot ash. they are not fireproof, and if you use them to make a fire pit they will eventually crumble away, or even explode.
7 years ago on Introduction
According to the family civil engineer there is nothing in this project that will explode when it touches water.
7 years ago
I did this a few years ago on my back porch and planted a variety of tomato plants. Very handy!