We’ve had an email from Jamie:
What can I do with an old concrete wall? It was in panels so came apart quite easily. I’ve got 12 panels in total, each about 1′ by 4′. They’re flat on one side and have a slight raised design on the other.
They’re not in perfect condition because they’re probably 20 years old but they’re ok. We took them down because it made the garden look like a prison yard and we thought a hedge would be nicer instead!
Our beloved friend Freecycle is an obvious thought here - someone else might dig that prison yard aesthetic.
Depending on how thick/strong they are, using them as paving might be another idea - perhaps in a low traffic area of the garden if they’re not as solid as patio flags (lining paths in a veg plot springs to mind).
If you’re willing to break them down, I dare say the concrete could be used for all sorts of things that need a bit of extra weight - the bottoms of planters for example. Ooh, that’s another idea: as giant coasters under tubs on fancy patios/decking, for when you don’t want the run off from the tubs to damage the stone/wood.
Any other ideas? Suggestions for using them whole and in bits are both welcome.
(Stock photo by sundstrom)







Bellen
October 13th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Could they be stacked for garden benches or to put container plants on, make raised beds? Cement can be painted so the look can be altered.
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Bobbie
October 13th, 2008 at 3:00 pm
Several together would make a good backdrop for a waterfall fountain. I can see it already with a tub below and the water trickling down the surface.
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melissa
October 13th, 2008 at 3:25 pm
A bit specialist here, but those would be PERFECT for ballast on a boat. Boats that were built for carrying heavy loads need (quite literally) tons of ballast when they’re converted to livaboards, and concrete and iron are the two most popular choices. Our dutch barge has several tons of concrete simply poured into the hull, but removable weights like what you’re describing are absolutely ideal as they can be shifted to check up on the hull condition from time to time and easily fit under floorboards. In fact, we’re in need of some more ballast since we’re ripping out some extraneous water tanks (which were installed for… you guessed it - ballast!).
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