I heard somewhere that there is a problem with using concrete as the retaining walls in a vegetable bed. On the other hand, I spoke with an extension agent today who said there is no problem and in fact had some set up behind the office made of cinder blocks. I'm inclined to beleive the extension agent but I wanted to double check. Has anyone heard of a toxic effect of concrete on vegetables?

 

other than being kinda ugly there's no problem. they may tend to move around a bit. maybe you were thinking of treated lumber. ya don't really want to use that for vegatables.

 

ugly, I agree. Do you have other suggestions for materials?

 

i've been using those stackable retaining wall blocks from lowes. about 2 bucks each and you can change them around anytime yo want. i've also moved alot of my vegatable growing to 1/2 keg type planters. great control of water and soil quality, rabbits can't reach them ,no weeds, and they look good.

 

You won't believe an extension agent, whose job it is to be knowledgeable in that area, but you'll take the word of complete strangers? Worse yet, you question it because of tales you hear from people that have no expertise at all?

What is supposed to be the danger of concrete blocks? True cinder blocks are no longer made.

 

You guys are talking about windsor wall retainer blocks...they look good at first then they'll get all stained, same goes for any lumber or railroad ties, about the only thing i've seen really nice and staying nice is a regular cinder block wall with colored stucco.

 

Some people consider concrete blocks for gardens to be dangerous due to efflorescence. This is what happens in basement walls that have moisture in the blocks. It looks like salt on the walls. It is calcium hydroxide. Caused from lime used in the block making process. Some think it could leech into the garden and poison the vegetables. Usually, the opposite happens. It forms on the outside of the garden due to water going through the blocks. Good luck and your choice.

 

What is supposed to be the danger of concrete blocks? True cinder blocks are no longer made.[/QUOTE]

Well, we have the answer about what the danger is thought to be. I got it from a complete stranger.

[QUOTE=BobF]You won't believe an extension agent, whose job it is to be knowledgeable in that area, but you'll take the word of complete strangers? Worse yet, you question it because of tales you hear from people that have no expertise at all?

There's often some truth in "tales". Just checking.

 

actually i lied. i only grow my vegatables in a partical accelerator housed under and afganistan mountain range. i use spectrum filtered light from a ruby laser and water from the springs of an alpine snow melt gathered under a full moon and processed through a reverse osmosis filter under the guidance of an orthodox minister of the church of the borg. oh yeah, i only grow turnips. the other stuff will kill ya

 

Explore your options. There are many today for raised beds, including many options in sculpurted blocks and others. Shop around and decide what best fits your landscape design.

 

If you are worried about the effect of the block on a graden, you obviously don't understand what is going on. The efflorescence is basically calcium hydroxide, a scarry term for a form of the agricultural lime you put on your garden and lawn to reduce the acidity or increase the ackalinity for other types of organic products. It is welcomed by many organic growers.

The forms of calcium are varied and the reactivity is affected by the fineness (specific area) and chemical form. It is a centuries old bulding and agricultural compound that has been proven to be safe.

If you want to be real progressive, put some chemical fertilizers, styrofoam, urea formaldehyde, fiberglass or treated lumber into your garden to make things better. After that, buy a bridge I have for sale.

The block that move around are designed to do so to allow small natural movement allow the excess moisture to drain out as all good gardeners to to encourage healthy plants.

Dick