Cinder block planters for the backyard

 

When I first moved into my house I noticed an abundance of cinder blocks under my house. (Also 3 tires which I have yet to do anything with)

I have an odd backyard, it used to be covered by brown leaves and my landlord advised they finally uncovered an old deck and took it apart (leaving the foundation frame) 

My backyard when I started racking up the leaves.

I drug out all of the cinder blocks and decided to spray paint different designs and make them planters.

First I cleaned off the side of the blocks with a broom.

I used painters tape to make my designs and spray painted with gold, white, and black.

They dried very quickly (Also concrete is porous and you might need to spray another layer of paint if it looks like it disappeared).

Once they were all finished I lined them up on the foundation frame.

I added small rocks and concrete chips (also found under the house) since I did not want to fill up the whole hole with soil.

I cut up an old metal mesh trashcan from Dollar Tree into small strips and then fit them on top of the rocks to keep the soil from falling through (some still will). 

After filling the holes with soil I added the flowers.

I purchased my flowers from Lowes for around $1.25 each.

*My flowers are shade-tolerant since my backyard is covered by the branches of a neighboring oak(?) tree. 

Now I need to buy patio furniture : (