Now that plastics and treated wood are poorly regarded, some green thumbs are trying concrete in gardening. Concrete bricks, even more than regularly formed concrete do leach calcium oxide, also known as lime. There are extremely minute amount of ingredients, thicyanote and resin acids, which are toxic, and can also leach but most of the research seems related to long time exposure to water.
Lime, not related to that in cordial, has been added to soil for many decades. Over a period of time it adds acidity to the soil. (Don't add to the soil for potatoes.) Information on which products are preferable and which are potentially dangerous varies according to the source and timing. Each gardener must make a choice.
Small lots and less time to garden make raised beds ideal. Strawberry patches were traditionally weeding intensive rows with low produce harvest per square yard or meter. There's a more convenient and efficient method of growing strawberries. It will require less weeding, those words have a musical sound, and ideal growing conditions.
Concrete in gardening is ideal for growing strawberries using large blocks or bricks Measure out an area 2.4 x 2.4 meters or 8' x 8' feet. The distance from edge to center should not be more than 4' or 1.2 meters from edge to center. Use this idea as a guide if building a circle. These directions are for square or rectangular hollow bricks.
Level the ground. Dig a slight trench the perimeter of the square, then settle the bricks in place. Rebar through the holes of the blocks in the corner positions, for stability.
Fill the hollows with soil. These can be used for small flowers like alyssum in a pleasing variety of colors. Small succulents will like the warmth of bricks. Short two-toned marigolds will add color and small tiny creatures in the garden aren't fond of marigolds.
Fill the square with soil amended with compost Add soil to the top of the bricks because it will compact when watered. If soil is in short supply the center area can be a less fertile product. Measure out the circumference of your square and place a second square inside the first, leaving a good hand span for plants, and fill with soil Keep the area level so that the bricks don't shift. Press the soil down. Repeat for the final part of the pyramid.
Place the poles of a wooden upright trellis into the hollows of the bricks of the second square. Pole beans or cucumbers can be trained to grow up the trellis. These plants are fully green the shade on the strawberries won't matter. The plans here are not meant for ever-growing strawberries.
Firmly press the strawberry plants evenly around the squares. The more ingenious will have built in an automatic watering system or wound a soaker down from the top. The heat from the sun will warm the blocks giving the plants a longer warm day. The ice cream in the freezer waits for strawberries from the concrete in gardening.
