Using Concrete Blocks for a raised bed - unsafe?

This should get the newsprint off.

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G.

 

That's not a problem with the new wifi, computerised, 'smart toilets' as they have a paperless option, although you might run a risk of catching a virus from the toilet seat. Kohler's Smart Toilet | Architectural Digest

 

Haha...thanks to all for the amusing and informative replies.

I'm not sure they are breeze blocks exactly, at least not the type I'm familiar with the hollow middle as pictured i your post, hence me not using that name. They looked more like blocks made from concrete and pebbles/aggregate. I'll see if I can get a pic next time I'm down the plot.

Which might be a little while looking at this weather blowing in....

 

Probably just ordinary concrete blocks, breeze blocks dont exist anymore I dont think, not round here anyway, mostly Celcon blocks which are the lightweight ones, concrete ones are harder and less likely to be damaged by frost.

 

Celcon Blocks

 

You wouldn't want to read *that* second hand!

 

I would say it's not 100% safe. You are never sure what it's made of, unless you've made it. Concrete blocks are not being crafted for gardening that's for sure. Many producers use ashes that might contain significant amounts of heavy metals. The thing is concrete is not supose to react - it's highly alcaline and if not damaged should not leak anything. But this is just theory. I can imagine in contact with acid substance like turf or while watered with higly acid fertilizers it could react. By the way I've made a mistake and used concrete blocks for my greenhouse foundations and I constantly feel it was a mistake.

I know there are many people whom use petro-based treating on woods in their raised beds. Edibles grow there, and guess what - they are still alive. But on the other hand one day your liver could say it's "Game Over". We grow to eat healthy so I vote no for concrete in edibles.

 

To add my penny's worth, if you are somewhat apprehensive about using concrete blocks how about an alternative..........................................Asbestos? I can hear the gasps of horror from here. I use a couple of sheets of white I hasten to add Asbestos to hold back soil in a raised veg bed. They were kicking about here when we moved here The family have been eating veg from this particular bed for the last 12 years and so far no deaths to report.
Having been involved in the commercial production of food and now live in the countryside where vast amounts of vegetables are grown for the big supermarkets, I have absolutely no worries at what I do to produce vegetables for the family. It is very much the case of "what the eye doesn't see" when it comes to purchasing non home grown food.