[Cob] Clay discussion

[Henry Raduazo]

That depends on the quality of the clay. Really pure clay can be  
mixed 4 to 1 sand/clay so it does not take as much clay as you would  
think. Also, you can build a hybrid of cob and some baled material  
like straw or corn husks and cut the cob thickness to 8 inches, but  
natural building is about using what you have available. If you have  
wood use it, if you have stone  use it. I would love to see someone  
try two layers of wattle and daub filled with straw, grass, cat tales  
or any other trash insulation. That would cut the clay layers to two  
inches.
Ed


On May 8, 2009, at 3:29 PM, dan Burbank wrote:

> I live on top of a Puget Sound glacial moraine. No clay to be found  
> for
> miles and miles. I considered for a while to haul from one of the  
> river
> valleys either in my pickup or buying it from a contractor who is
> building. BUT...
>
> I am having a difficult time justifying the carbon expense of it.  
> Just a
> thought. Any time I build anything I will have to justify the  
> carbon cost,
> short of filled bag construction, which is currently the leader in my
> thoughts of building a large protection wall around by new berry bed.
>
> I would be interested in any thoughts. Not just about what I am  
> working
> on, but the philosophy of using what you have rather then moving  
> materials
> like this. I hope this is not asking for trouble in a off topic  
> discussion
> but not all of us are "blessed" with clay. Though I know gardeners who
> would take issue with clay being a blessing.
>
> dan
>
>
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