Cinder blocks framing garden are blah. What nontoxic paint can I use ?

Oksananow
by Oksananow
I want to decorate the outside of the cinder blocks that frame my raised bed with some cute paint designs, but I don't know what kind of paint is safe around vegetables and herbs.

  5 answers
  • K. K. on Jul 21, 2017

    First seal the blocks with something like Thompson's water seal or the blocks will drink up the paint and leave it blah also. The craft paints in craft stores are usually non toxic. For large areas consider 'oops' paints in the quart cans at the hardware stores. Usually house paints, inside and out are non-toxic. You can also get 'tester' pots of premixed colors.

    One year when very broke I 'painted' with sidewalk chalk filling the area with sunflowers and a couple others that I felt I could 'paint' recognizable and different birdhouses - it lasted a few years. I just touched it up as it dulled or got messed up. It was pleasantly resilient and became a part of the garden for years. I got the big bucket of chalk so that there were more colors and I selected one that seemed to be brighter in color. I should say that when I did this I did not seal the block. But with paint I would.

  • Kim Kim on Jul 21, 2017

    Wow K! Neat idea with the chalk!

  • Oksananow Oksananow on Jul 21, 2017

    Thank you! Those are all great ideas. I especially like the sidewalk chalk solution. I have lots of that and my kids are way past playing with it. Nice and quick, but won't last as long in Illinois as it probably did in California. Thank you for sharing your creativity.

  • Athena la roux Athena la roux on Jul 22, 2017

    I've mixed clear concrete sealer w various paints and did several colors on pavers for a mosaic effect. I always use "oops" paints from the hardware store. Or outdoor paint for a flat look.


  • Yofrendonna Yofrendonna on Jul 22, 2017

    i just slopped some old leftover paint on mine. No casualties so far