Eric Lyle

John C Daley wrote:I think you may be going " up the garden path"

I like gardens and I like that it's higher in limestone than regular Portland which should allow for longer term carbonation like I mentioned. Going to test it on some non structural patios using a standard concrete mix of 4 gravel, 2 sand and one (plastic) cement.

Plastic Cement & Portland Cement?
Both Ordinary Portland cement and Plastic cement are manufactured using the same II- clinker but there are major differences from there…

Different ASTM Standards
Type II-V cement is an ASTM C150 Standard Specification for Portland Cement
Plastic cement is an ASTM C1328 Standard Specification for Plastic (Stucco) Cement

Type II-V Cement
Designed for use with coarse and fine aggregates for use in concrete
Meets ACI 318 Building Requirements for Structural Concrete
General use and meets moderate and high sulfate resistance

Plastic Cement
Low strength application
Designed for use with plaster sand
High water/cement ratio
Used for more workable and cohesive application
Freeze/thaw resistant
*High limestone addition
*High entrained air content

Plastic cement has Portland in it and sets up chemically but it seems since there is more lime in plastic cement I think it would be the better choice longer term with the carbonation. One exception would be underground or underwater applications. Morning thoughts.

If you don't have Plastic cement you can add lime to Portland. Someone here with more experience could chime in.

Hello people,

I love P.A. Yeoman's key line design and the idea of storing vast amounts of water in any landscape. I have been working on the landform with an old backhoe but my next idea is longer term maintenance. Our property is in a canyon and it doesn't make sense to run a big tractor over it long term. If I was really cool I would use a mule but my best next thought is to use a walk behind tractor with one shank like on the key line plow.

Any thoughts?

Thanks for the great suggestions and resources.

Feel free to continue dropping specific links.

I think a backhoe is the most practical piece of heavy equipment for permaculture, at least at the beginning of the systems.

Later I will want a small walk behind to rip key lines.

Thank you for the resources. I will follow up those ideas.

I have noticed eBay has quite a number of listings for seeds, cuttings and plants. Has anyone tried ordering plants from eBay?

In the end I think gathering and propagating is probably the most cost effective and satisfying.

Hello people,

I am looking for a source for mail ordered to California, fruit and other supporting trees. Zone 8

Any recommendations?

Sounds faster and easier than pouring a structural bell.

John C Daley wrote:Have you tried to use a mixture which has less cement, it may go further if its ok with your soil.
Lime can often be used at 1/2 the rate you use cement.
But experiment first with your soul.

Yes we tried plastering with only lime. Only later did I realize my mix wasn't great so the surface spalled. Inside the shower the line plaster worked beautifully. Not quite tadelak but close. I will use only lime on the final exterior plaster with our local sand and clay but will make it richer as needed. For the large infills I find some Portland useful.

Understanding water is key, how it is attracted or repelled and which materials breath and which do not. I've come to the conclusion that using some cement in the inner layers is ok, similar to a stone house. The important part then becomes the outer layers.

So here is my work flow in our high desert location where fire is our number one danger while refurbishing an old existing wood framed cabin. (I can't wait to build with straw, it's going to be so easy compared to this Frankenstein)

We use the earth from our land. Pay attention  to each corner of your land it is likely there are differences so use that to your advantage. With oll the existing  old wood I built from work that will stay in place and filled horizontally with a 4 to 1 portland cement "concrete".

Actually more like "plastic" rammed earth. Mix one bag of Portland into three wheelbarrows sand/ clay. We use a rototiller to incorporate  the mix, then add water and either finish it by hand or run the tiller over it. All this is done on an old concrete pad and it's dead easy.

This stiffens the whole structure, adds thermal mass and displaces all critters from even considering building in the cracks of  the walls.

Above 6-7 feet we are using a light cobb between the framing. Over this goes chicken wire and while it is still wet we lay the first scratch coat of lime plaster with a small amount of plastic cement (high lime content) the wet Cobb allows for a long slow damp cure.

Still experimenting at this stage with the wooden frame work mentioned above but I think depending on most of the surfaces chicken wire will work but I am thinking to invest in some metal lathe to plaster some OSB walls.

Forgot to mention we are completely off grid.

The important thing is to not forget what breaths and which doesn't. Keep your final layer breathable. Frescos are perfect, beautiful and breathable.