Thanks y'all!
Natalie - You might be right about why the use of Lime.
Susan - In response to your question about "composite wood (plastic)" warping ... it is flexible. The size I made the two upper beds is 4' x 4' and 2' x 2'. I am not worried about warping with those sizes. I would be reluctant to use it for anything bigger unless you added another ground brace right in the middle of each plank to keep it from warping/bending outward. The composite wood holds up very nicely. I don't know how it would handle paint. I did paint the cinder blocks a sky blue as I didn't like the gray look. I matched the blue color with my Plumbago shrub blooms that are scattered around that garden area. The plumbago blooms match the paint perfectly. I wanted some cool blue to tone down that hot area of my yard. I painted the pavers to match. And I have a concrete bench in that area that I also want to paint the same color. It helps pull it all together. I call that garden area my "Hummingbird and Butterfly Garden of Eden". LOL!
I use cinder blocks and concrete around my yard. I used to use wood, which didn't last long before they started rotting. The concrete/cinder blocks will last a VERY long time. The down side ... to remove them will be a chore if I ever want to change it up.
