Hi all,

Anybody here doing renovations, that familiar with concrete block that is filled with soil, like those that we see usually at schools?

Refer this pic, I'm not sure what exactly they are called...
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3564/358596...2173ab7.jpg?v=0

If I want to add one at my lawn, anybody knows how to ensure that the concrete won't crack or the soil is not too much, or too little?

Any other pro and cons of adding one? Thinking of adding one and plant some grass or shrubs on it, small plants only, not big big one...

Thanks.

clad the concrete box with slates or stones to cover up potential cracks.

normally it is the root of the plant that cause crack

they call it planter box

small plant should be no problem. normally 1000mm-1200m depth soil is more enough for a big tree. brickwall can take the soil load, the cracking depends to the workmanship.

thxalot for all replies... will take note of them...

actually, the plan is to add some grass only...the planter box (sounds better now ) shall be around 50 cm high...since the previous owner tiled up the whole porch, so i'm thinking of having a small space of greenery at my porch...

in this case, which one is better?
a) take off the tiles where the planter box is to be placed (so that the added soil made contact to the actual earth)
b) just leave the base with the tiles on, build a planter box, and make some holes for water to go out...

This post has been edited by abu_adi: Dec 18 2009, 11:33 PM