A Lego approach to building raised beds
The concept for Togetherfarm interlocking garden blocks was born at Concordia University in Portland, Ore., where MBA students Joe Aakre, Doug Holcomb and Matt Stormont were working on a business plan.
“We thought, why not try to create something meaningful?” Holcomb said. “All three of us are avid gardeners. We care about the environment and want to make sure we make things as good as we can for the next generation.”
The three live in the metro Portland area, where they said many urban dwellers are without access to gardening space. “We wanted to come up with a product that would meet a need and serve an urban population and home gardener,” Stormont said.
Raised beds are not new. But they are often made with expensive, heavy woods that require tools and effort to assemble. Togetherfarm Blocks ($49.99 for a set of 24 blocks) are an affordable option. Made from lightweight durable recycled plastic (BPAand phthalate-free), they resemble oversized Lego pieces and can be assembled in minutes. Simply snap the interlocking blocks together to create a custom raised bed anywhere, whether in the dirt or on a balcony.
The interlocking garden blocks are sold through Amazon.com and are available in slate gray, with brown and multicolored blocks to follow.
When finished with the blocks, simply toss them in the recycling bin. The only downside to the new product? “One of our backers said he was having a hard time getting the blocks back from his kids,” Holcomb said with a laugh.