Build a Permanent Raised Bed with Cinder Blocks

Reader Contribution by Nebraska Dave
Published on January 1, 2021

There comes a time in life when the thought process shifts to how can I build, repair, or purchase something that will last for the rest of my life. In my experience, wood for raised beds only lasts about 10 years or less and then the bed will need to be rebuilt. I may not be able to rebuild my raised beds 10 years from now. Unfortunately, we cannot stop the aging process and with aging, comes less physical activity. It’s just a fact of life that we all have to plan for.

Prepare the Site and Lay the Anchor Block

The site for the bed should be somewhat level, but it doesn’t have to be. In my case this already was a raised bed with landscaping timbers that rotted away and the bed became a rubbish pile for this growing season. So with all that cleared away, I’m ready to set the anchor block.

Building a raised bed to last will require some hard labor but after it’s done the bed will last for years to come. It will take 32 concrete blocks and 16 caps to build this raised bed. The first anchor block will take the longest to set in place.

The right height of the bed is determined by the depth of the anchor block in the ground. Mine will be about 4 inches below the ground level but because there is a slope, the other side of the bed will be ground level for the first layer of blocks. This anchor block must be perfectly level both ways to end up with a level bed. It’s the most important block of the entire project. Once I get the block set, packing the block holes with dirt and around the side will keep the block firmly in place.

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