Well, I am no expert, but quikrete is high priced. Cinder block should be easier to lay. How about redwood or ceader I just built a salad garden out of the ceder. used 1x6 it worked great. sorry don't know how to spell check on this thing.

You'd either have to make a mold for multiple blocks or dig out a trough, reinforce it, allow intermittant spacing for cracking and expanding and keep it level.

If you're sure you want to do concrete, I'd go cinder blocks and paint them, or you can use those nice red bricks, stack them, and seal them together (which may be expensive as well, I don't know)

Here is a link that might be useful: The Corner Yard

You'll want a base course for block 2 or more high or concrete, usu gravel several inches deep and at least half again as wide; wet soil is heavy and exerts a lot of pressure. The Google it and check it out before you go too far.

Dan

cool idea, but also if ya know someone who has some of those light poles or just poles in general, you could go to freecycle.org and go to your county area and see if anyone has anything that could fit what your looking for. i just happened to know a friend that had 6' poles that he had MANY of!! **grin** ~Medo