Earth Walls

Nearly all of the discovery coat has dried down and were on to what the "Natural Plaster" book calls the infill coat that we've renamed the sand coat. This is the last coat before the clay finish coat and is where all the forms start turning into shapes, animals, plants celestial bodies and whatever else emanates.

Over a couple days we've applied the outside layer of sand plaster to the wall. Mixing up the batch involved the same technique as the discovery coat just the formula changed to

4.5 part sand

2 parts screened and hydrated clay

2.5 gallons earth oven dirt

5 gallons straw

Coffee frass to taste

The foot mixing seemed more like running in place since we were trying for a dryer, tighter mix. I filled a 15 gallon trash can for the sand coat on the outside wall. We applied it about a 1/2 inch thick and have started building on it from there. Anyone that's working on the wall fills their bucket up with plaster from the mixing area and carries it over to their section of the wall.

I've found creating with clay on this scale is so rewarding and meditative. All there is the wall and mud nothing more to think about. Just magically joining each element together in what seems like an impossible feat. In modern construction we have ventured far from the roots of the apple tree with highly processed materials. Both still share the frantic building speed in the small window we have in Montana but this is just simply earth substrate blended and approachable for people at any age with varying experience and abilities. All share the desire to learn a new way of building and creating that doesn't pose a threat to our health.

Interestingly, a technique that works for one person in application is different in what works for another and that's the beauty because the end result is the same: Earth Walls to grow food in. Perfectly balanced and not heavily induced with power tools, noise and pollution. Just as it should be-humbling beauty from a small group of people dedicated to finishing it before the snow flies.

Carob Beet Cake makes a great snack after breakfast before lunch and following dinner. We like to drizzle homemade razzberry sherbet over the top.

Razzle Dazzle Sherbet

1 quart bag frozen razzberries

3 frozen bananas

Half a blender of hemp milk

Blend and pour into glass dishes. Great anytime of the day.