Cob: [Fwd: Re: Cob ponds?]

[Darel Henman]

Michael, has a question about cob outide and without a roof.  I know
some of you out there have built outside cob projects perhaps you could
share you experiences and information about how they perform or
deteriorate in your particular local and climate, and about sealing it
or making it more resistance to rainstorms.

Darel

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Cob ponds?
Date: Thu, 9 May 2002 07:50:27 -0400
From: "Michael Bowen" <msb at fullpotentialmassage.com>
To: "Darel Henman" <henman at it.to-be.co.jp>
References: <003101c1ed49$fa466f00$8413fea9 at c6i5v>
<3CDA07FC.8F07E033 at it.to-be.co.jp>

Darel,
 Thank you so much for the advise! That looks very interesting. I'll
give it
a try.
I am thinking of creating a little seating area near the pond and was
wondering if I could do it w/ cob even though I don't plan on a roof
over
it? is there a way to seal the cob so I can do this? or is it better to
use
just glay? There are 4 very large maples near the pond that will be
giving
shade.
I am going to be ordering the cob oven book so I can create a cool oven
soon-I like the frog oven suggestion. thanks!

Again many thanks for kindly pointing me in the right direction.

Michael


----- Original Message -----
From: "Darel Henman" <henman at it.to-be.co.jp>
To: "Michael Bowen" <msb at fullpotentialmassage.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 09, 2002 1:24 AM
Subject: Cob ponds?


> Micheal,
>    you don't need cob for the pond itself.  Better to use gley which is
> explained in the following URL:
>
> http://www2.luresext.edu/aquaculture/stopping_leaks_in_ponds.htm
>
> to be:
> "    Gley is another material useful for sealing ponds. Gley is produced
> by
>      spreading a six to nine inch layer of very fresh, green manure over
> the area
>      to be sealed. The manure is then covered with plastic, cardboard,
> leaves, or
>      anything else that prevents oxygen from reaching the manure so that
> it will
>      ferment anaerobically. The fermentation produces a bacterial slime
> in one
>      to two weeks that can permanently seal soils. After two weeks the
> plastic
>      or other covering can be removed and the pond can be filled with
> water."
> "
>
> Do google searches for "gley AND pond" and see what you come up with.
>
> The old Russians used to use this technique for sealing small dams as
> well.
>
> After done with the pond, then use the clay to build yourself a little
> rest struture near to pond to relax in the shade or when it rains.  Then
> maybe a frog shaped cob oven.....
>
> Darel
>
>
> > Michael Bowen wrote:
> >
> > First I would like to say "hello" to the list and let you know that I
> > am psyched to find this cob community!
> >
> > I am currently digging a hole in my yard for a pond and have noticed
> > that the rain fall in the past 2 days has not drained out. I have a
> > very heavy clay soil and was wondering if I could create a cob pond
> > that would last for a while?(really not into spending several hundred
> > dollars on a plastic liner that my dog could puncture-he is 120lb
> > bernese mtn dog that loves the water) I understand that cob will wear
> > a way in a heavy rain situation but was unsure if sitting water would
> > have the same effect? Any ideas are appreciated!
> >
> > Also was wondering what your favorite books for learning cob are? I
> > currently do not own any, but would like to purchase some soon.
> >
> > I am new to list am excited to learn more about the art of cobbing!
> >
> > Michael
> >
> > In Upstate NY
>
>