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  • From: Paul Wheaton <paul@richsoil.com>
  • To: permaculture <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [permaculture] retaining wall
  • Date: Tue, 5 Oct 2004 14:52:23 -0700 (PDT)


I know of no alkaline loving mosses. I wonder if you could do a sulpher
"paint" as a
sort of "primer".

I take it by "paint" you mean the trick with moss and milk in the blender?

--- Kelly Lockamy <garden_muse@bellsouth.net> wrote:

> good point about the pH. is there a moss that likes it alkaline? i've seen
> some growing on brick around here, maybe that's a good indication that it'd
> work and i should use it for my "paint".
>
> good watering tips too kevin, thanks.
>
> thanks again for everyone's input.
> Kelly
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Paul Wheaton" <paul@richsoil.com>
> To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> Sent: Monday, October 04, 2004 10:48 PM
> Subject: Re: [permaculture] retaining wall
>
>
> >
> > I could be mistaken, but I think that concrete is going to have a very
> high pH and moss
> > likes a low pH.
> >
> > I wonder if you could somehow get a thin layer of peat to stick to the
> concrete and then
> > get moss started on that.
> >
> > --- Kelly Lockamy <garden_muse@bellsouth.net> wrote:
> >
> > > > I prefer rip rap, broken up concrete. It is a waste material that
> looks as
> > > > good as stone, if not better, and is available in urban/suburban areas
> in
> > > > abundance. It can be stacked like stone, and painted with moss to
> mimick
> > >
> > >
> > > thanks kevin.
> > > this material is certainly in keeping with the budget (free) and spirit
> of
> > > the project (re-use, recycle). i have tried the moss trick before with
> no
> > > positive outcome. how long does one have to keep the wall material wet
> in
> > > order for the moss to take hold? and does watering it risk washing it
> off?
> > > any tricks i don't know about?
> > >
> > >
> > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > From: "Kevin Topek" <ktopek@houston.rr.com>
> > > To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> > > Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 1:08 PM
> > > Subject: Re: [permaculture] retaining wall
> > >
> > >
> > > > Kelly,
> > > >
> > >
> > > > age. Mix healthy moss in a blender with buttermilk and apply it to wet
> > > > stone/concrete with a chip brush and water lightly and often until it
> gets
> > > > established. The buttermilk acts as a sticking agent and feeds the
> moss
> > > > initially. My neighbors all comented favorably on mine recently, made
> from
> > > > my 70 year old walkway, and at first I thought they were being
> facetious
> > > > (very uptight urban neighborhood). They actually like it, and it stops
> my
> > > > yard from washing into the street. I backfilled with sheet mulch and
> will
> > > > paint with moss when the rains return (current drought in Houston). We
> > > also
> > > > use it as gabion material in watersheds and bayous. It ages
> beautifully
> > > and
> > > > in an area with no natural stone it really fits the bill on many
> levels.
> > > > Make sure the base is furthest out downhill and build upwards toward
> the
> > > > hill, offsetting each layer slightly inward. Backfill as you go and
> test
> > > > stability often. If it is wiggly, try another piece and make it firm.
> An
> > > > ounce of prevention is really worth a pound of cure. If you are not
> > > > comfortable as a stone mason, find someone who is! I know my
> limitations
> > > and
> > > > tend to do the manual work while my man sets the stones, he has a gift
> for
> > > > spatial recognition. I love this material and recommend it highly!
> > > >
> > > > Kevin Topek
> > > > Permaculture Design
> > > >
> > > > ----- Original Message -----
> > > > From: "Kelly Lockamy" <garden_muse@bellsouth.net>
> > > > To: "permaculture" <permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org>
> > > > Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2004 10:08 AM
> > > > Subject: [permaculture] retaining wall
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > Friends,
> > > > > I do small scale permaculture and landscape designs for
> urban/suburban
> > > > > clients. Currently I have the need to build a retaining wall about
> 2-3
> > > > feet
> > > > > high and about 30 feet long. It will seperate the yard from the
> > > sidewalk,
> > > > > so i need to be sure it won't tumble into the sidewalk someday. It
> > > needs
> > > > to
> > > > > be inexpensive to build, I was thinking a sandbag core with a
> > > stucco-type
> > > > > outer layer. Can anyone recommend some "how-to" reference materials
> for
> > > > > this? Any suggestions as to other materials, cheap,
> long-lasting....
> > > (hot
> > > > > sub-tropical, humid environment)
> > > > >
> > > > > Many Thanks,
> > > > > Kelly
> > > > >
> > > > > -----
> > > >
> > > >
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> >
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