06/16/2026
Twelve herbs in less than 5 square feet. Cinder blocks, compost, and an afternoon. 🌿
Stack standard cinder blocks in staggered rows against a fence or wall — no mortar, no tools, no permit. The weight holds everything in place. Fill each opening with a mix of good potting mix and perlite for drainage, and plant one herb per cell. The whole structure fits against a fence or exterior wall and takes up almost no ground space.
The 13 herbs shown, all widely available at US nurseries:
Rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, lavender, basil, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, chives, marjoram, mint, lemon balm, tarragon.
One specific advantage of this setup for mint: the concrete cells contain the roots naturally. Mint spreads aggressively by underground runners in open ground or large shared containers — but in individual cinder block cells, there's nowhere to go. No separate pot needed. The containment problem solves itself.
A few planting notes for US conditions:
Face the wall east or south for most of the country — morning sun and afternoon shade keeps herbs productive without scorching roots in summer heat. In hot climates (zones 9–11), an east-facing wall avoids the brutal afternoon sun that can overheat concrete cells and cook roots. In cooler zones (3–6), a south-facing wall uses the concrete's heat absorption to extend the season on both ends.
Group by water needs: rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, lavender, and marjoram are Mediterranean herbs that prefer dry conditions. Basil, parsley, cilantro, chives, mint, lemon balm, and tarragon want more consistent moisture. Putting them in separate rows makes watering straightforward.
The materials fit in a car trunk and cost less than a single large planter from a garden center. Everything from this wall goes directly to the kitchen. 🌱
