24 DIY Cinder Block Ideas for the Garden (2024)

Give your yard an elegant look by trying these practical DIY Cinder Block Ideas! These are easy to complete, cost less, and add an instant appeal!

Do you want to change the look of your garden without spending much? Check out some amazing DIY Cinder Block Ideas to add an industrial and smart look to your yard!

Table of contents

Have a look at some awesome garden ideas with used items here

DIY Cinder Block Ideas

1. Cinder Block Fire Pit

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Construct a pocket-friendly fire pit using cinder blocks—just like the raised garden bed, arrange the cinder blocks in a square shape, fire can be made within it. Find the details here.

2. Cinder Succulent Planters

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You can grow succulents in the hollow centers of cinder blocks! Make a ‘living wall’ by piling them up, add soil, and propagate succulents. Watch the video here.

3. Cinder Block Bench

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Make a bench using wood and cinder blocks—paint it with your favorite shade for a more finished look. Add some cushions and molding as well. Check the DIY here.

4. DIY Cinder Block Planter

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Create this cinder block planter by gluing the blocks together with metal sheeting. The holes can be used to grow plants, flowers, and veggies.

5. Cinder Block Potting Table

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Build a two-shelf potting bench with lumber and cinder blocks for your garden. For finishing, add rustic hooks to the self. Find the DIY here.

6. Cinder Block Planter and Bench

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This DIY can create outdoor seating. After making a bench, you can use single cinder blocks to build containers for plants.

7. Cinder Block Vase

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Cinder blocks look great as a flower vase—you can paint them from outside to make them more attractive. Follow this tutorial here.

8. Cinder Block Raised Garden Bed

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Follow this DIY and build a raised garden bed from cinder blocks. This simple project involves easy steps of stacking some cinder blocks.

9. Cinder Block Rustic Bench

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Check one more Cinder block bench DIY with a stylish yet rustic adaptation that looks amazing in the garden.

10. Cinder Block Outdoor Bar

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Create an outdoor bar or grill prep with the help of this DIY—take a few pallets and cinder blocks for making the body of the grill, ridged steel roofing, some boards for finishing. Follow the step-by-step tutorial here.

11. Cinder Block Plant Shelves

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Construct a perfect place to showcase your plants—only four cinder blocks with pieces of wood are used to build shelves. Read the details here.

12. Cinder Block Grill Station

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Stack cinder blocks to create a grill station and top with pavers and paint to make it look more stylish! Follow the DIY here.

13. DIY Cinder Block Table

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Make this beautiful table using cinter blocks for the base. The inside section also provides storage space. The DIY is here.

14. Cinder Block Firewood Rack DIY

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Take two cinder blocks and some wood beams and create this firewood rack in minutes without tools. See the DIY here.

15. Cozy Cinder Block Outdoor Seating

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Combine a dozen cinder blocks with four pieces of lumber to make this comfy outdoor seating in your yard. Check out the tutorial here.

16. Cinder Block Shelf

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Here’s an easy video on making a shelf using just cinder block and wood pallets.

17. Grassy Table Centerpiece with Cinder Blocks

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Use the cinder blocks as a centerpiece for the dining table or desk—learn more here.

18. Cinder Block Outdoor Bench

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All you need are some concrete cinder blocks and wood posts to make a clever seating arrangement like this.

19. Concrete Block Planter

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This DIY concrete block planter not only looks fantastic, but you can get super creative with it and come up with your own unique design.

20. Cinder Block Solitary Bee Hotel

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To attract native bees into your garden, make this easy bee hotel using cinder blocks. Details are here.

21. Porch Cinder Block Bench

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Adding a cinder block bench on the front porch takes little time to craft. It’s easy to make, durable, and perfect for DIY enthusiasts!

22. Outdoor Bar + Planter

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Make an easy-access outdoor bar using just the cinder blocks and some other tools. Details are here.

23. Bench Potting Stand

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Make your porch a dreamy jungle escape by building a tiered plant stand using cinderblocks! Click here for details.

24. Outdoor Bar from Concrete Blocks

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Make a fun DIY bar from concrete blocks so that it won’t put a huge dent in your wallet! Details are here.

24 DIY Cinder Block Ideas for the Garden (2024)

FAQs

Is it safe to use cinder blocks for gardening? ›

There is also little research data on this topic. Ultimately, this becomes a personal choice based on your comfort level. If you plan to use blocks as a raised bed material -- and many people do – and you are concerned about potential risks, you could seal the blocks with polymer paint.

What do you put on the bottom of a cinder block planter? ›

Here's How to Make a Raised Bed Garden with Cinder Blocks:
  1. Place the cinder blocks on the ground to form a rectangle (size optional). ...
  2. Lay down some weed fabric, cardboard, or newspaper, and add your soil to both the main bed and all of the holes in the blocks.
May 8, 2023

How to build a cinder block garden bed? ›

How to Build a DIY Cinder Block Garden Bed
  1. Calculate the Dimensions. A typical cinder block is 8 x 8 x 16 inches. ...
  2. Mark Off the Area. ...
  3. Prepare the Ground. ...
  4. Arrange the Cinder Blocks. ...
  5. Add Another Layer of Blocks (Optional) ...
  6. Fill Perimeter With Dirt. ...
  7. Fill With Topsoil and Plant.
Feb 27, 2024

How many cinder blocks do I need for a garden bed? ›

20 blocks will give an interior bed area of 4′ x 8′. Leave a side open to bring in the soil until the new bed is filled. No mortar or special installation is necessary unless you desire a bed which is higher than 8″ raised over the surrounding area. Just set them on the ground!

What plants can grow in cinder blocks? ›

I planted each of these cloves in its own cinder-block hole. Each one will grow into a full bulb. I also planted two bunches of basil, two bunches of cilantro and one bunch of oregano. Each of these grows in its own cinder-block hole as well.

What is the difference between concrete blocks and cinder blocks? ›

Cinder blocks are hollow rectangle-shaped structures usually made of concrete and coal cinders which find use in construction sites. Concrete blocks often, on the other hand, are flattened constructs made of steel, wood or cement.

How to secure cinder blocks to the ground? ›

Before laying cinder blocks, pour a footing below the frost line. The footing is the foundation for the concrete blocks. Let your footing dry for at least 3 days before laying concrete blocks. Start with corner blocks, and use mortar to keep them in place.

Why put cardboard in raised beds? ›

The answer is yes. You can line the bottom of your raised garden bed with cardboard and newspaper to block out weeds or act as a barrier against rhizomatous, weedy or invasive plants. While some may opt for landscape fabric, cardboard is a more cost-effective option.

Should I put chicken wire under my raised garden bed? ›

Gophers will get into your raised beds as soon as they find the chicken wire has rusted away. Use stainless steel or double galvanized “gopher wire” which is made specifically to last in underground applications like lining raised beds, making gopher baskets, etc.

Do cinder blocks need a footing? ›

For large masonry retaining walls built from concrete, cement, brick, or cinder blocks, you will require a concrete footing.

How deep should a raised garden bed be? ›

The minimum required depth depends on the plant. But on average, a raised garden bed should accommodate about 20 inches of soil for the roots of flowers and vegetables.

How do you build a block garden wall? ›

1. Building a retaining wall, step by step
  1. Step 1: Draw up your plans. ...
  2. Step 2: Calculate the number of blocks needed. ...
  3. Step 3: Dig your trench. ...
  4. Step 4: Spread and rake your paver base. ...
  5. Step 5: Lay your first row of blocks. ...
  6. Step 6: Install the remainder of the blocks. ...
  7. Step 7: Put down landscaping fabric. ...
  8. Step 8: Finish up.

Do cinder blocks leach into soil? ›

As you might be aware of the toxicity that cinder blocks leach into the soil, at least by what some individuals have speculated, but really no data to back it up.

Do cinder blocks leach chemicals? ›

Most studies have found that the chemicals do not leach from concrete, they are tied up in the cement matrix. This includes fly ash (which has mercury and other heavy metals). Concrete, even with fly ash or blast furnace slag, has been deemed safe enough to use in the pipes for drinking water.

Can I put cinder blocks under my bed? ›

Use cinder blocks. Not only do they work wonderfully as a bed frame, but they also provide under-the-bed storage at the same time.

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