First Cob Soil Tests

Hey guys, been following the cob info on here for a long time and we're about to start making our own! Got around to doing some soil tests finally and I was looking for some input into what I got. I am in Limerick, Ireland and our land is great for growing and hopefully cob too! Here a few pictures of my results. One test hole (2 feet deep) was in the middle of a small plot we plan to start some building projects on and the other was taken from a bank dug into a slope on the land well below topsoil level.

To me it looks like there is a healthy ratio of sand to clay, more sand than clay anyway. If anyone can tell by the photos if I am on to something or not it would be greatly appreciated!

Simon

Howdy Simon, welcome to permies!

Looks like the jar tests show a nice mix of sand and clay.
But I am no expert on cob so I hope someone else with more experience will jump in.

Hi Simon,

Big welcome to Permies !!!

Looks very good to me, but I have seen silt present in the same fashion...

Now it is time for you to do some "test batches" of brick, plasters, and paints to see how it behaves.

Regards,

j

Do the have a chapter of Eartha in Ireland or a group like them?

Cheers for the replies lads. I dried out both jars and the clay level dropped to around 20%. Hopefully can start some test batches this weekend. Need to get some straw first and get another few bits ready.

Jay, I looked up Eartha but could not find much info on them. There is a group in Cork who may be somewhat similar - http://thehollies.ie/

Simon

Hi Simon,

Try this linkand tell me if it helped.

I would also suggest that you find a test spot that you plan to harvest from, and while recording very concise time tracking records, dig and process what you project as needed to create one cubic meter of cobb. From this (still keeping records) make a series or bricks with and without sand, or other binding agents, you plasters and clay paints. This will give you good test data, time increments, and the viable info you need for planning the projects logistics in means, methods, and materials.

Regards,

j