This was cross posted on the Urban Farm Hub on 3-11-10. Check out the Hub!
People often ask about our raised beds. A few years ago I was taking the Comprehensive Organic Gardener class through Seattle Tilth and while walking around one the P-Patches I saw that a gardener had used a few painted cinder blocks as part of their plot’s bed. I brought the lovely ladyfriend to see the plot and told her that I wanted to build our new raised beds from cinder blocks and have friends/family mosaic them.
Want to follow along?
Construction:
We were able to source all the cinder blocks used on craigslist inexpensively.
And we bought some organic straw from Walt's and gathered up from cardboard.
We plotted off the area with string and stakes.
Grass removed- back breaker. Yowsa.
another view (with zia & the ladyfriend)
Getting the blocks put in place with weed block underneath.
2nd layer up
Cardboard down. You want to make sure and removed all tape that won't break down. Then wet it down really well.
Straw in! Wet this down thoroughly as well.
Coffee grounds and chaff. Again, water down well.
Putting back in all the sod that was removed earlier. Put them back in upside down. And, yep, water well.
Cover all the well-watered down layers with burlap/coffee sacks.
Mosaic:
Now you can start the fun bit! Collect bits of broken glass, tiles, trinkets, etc. You can also buy some mosaic supplies. We got some of our glass from Bedrock in Seattle. Gather up some friends and put them to work!
Some of the pre-grouted blocks. Nice, huh?
Me, 5 months pregnant, and my mom working on some more.
It helps to have awesome cousins willing to be on grout duty!
Mom with finished blocks in place.
Awesome don't you think?
I love how they turned out! I think they add a real fun touch of color and art into the yard.
We used thinset mortar to attach the tile to the cinder blocks. There are many ways to do this. We applied a layer (1/8″-1/4″ thick) of thinset to the whole side of block and then put pieces in place, pressing in lightly. It is best to plan out your design before applying mortar as it will dry quickly. Have a damp cloth handy and wipe down mortar that squishes up onto pieces. We waited a few days for thorough drying and then grouted them. Now that is a job to try to sucker someone into doing. =)
First planting season (summer '07)- we just put in a few things for kicks as we were doing the rest of the hardscaping of the yard.
Beds early last year.
Those are SO cool. (Cant let my wife see them or I’ll be making mosaic garden beds forever. )
It is so fun seeing the pre- and post yard! You have done so much in the short time you have lived there! I loved the raised beds! I have some things (shells, sea glass, etc.) that we will bring up to make some more mosaic designs. I have some coral pieces that will be fun for some.
Where did you ever find out how to get the raised beds ready for a garden?
I love seeing the lawn ripped out to make way for a gorgeous garden! Soo cool. I’m slowly taking back my yard from the grass!
your garden is awesome and inspirational! we’re trying to figure out how to make our beds as nice as yours!
we rocked that garden!!! your blog is awesome…so proud to be your lady friend.
Excellent mosaic blocks! The whole garden is fun and a work of art.
Hi Meg! Thanks for hopping over to Rehab! My son was near the computer while I was checking these beds out, and he said, “We HAVE to do that!” If we do, you’ll get full props.
Oh boy! Fun! Fun! Fun! I love what you did. It is so amazing! I saw your photos on Life On Rehab blog and so I had to check out your site. Thanks for sharing! I love gardening as well. Love it!
Thanks for coming over & checking it out! Let me know if you do something like it! I would love to see it!
That is SO incredibly impressive and inspirational! Wow. I’m sure it was hard work, but how gorgeous it turned out. Thanks for shaing the link. Now I want pretty cinder blocks too
Thanks Tara! It is a really fun project! We still have a lot more to mosaic. I’m thinking of painting some and mosaicing the rest. The Babylady is 2.5 now and might have fun painting some of them too.
We are going to be on the Edible Garden Tour in a few weeks and hopefully I can get a few more done before then!
(BTW, I just started reading your book last night that I got at the Palace Kitchen event and it is really wonderful! Thanks.)
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Love it!
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