Homestead mailing list

[Don Bowen <don.bowen AT earthlink.net>]

At 11/28/2005, you wrote:
> >I am thinking that it will be easier to lay out the chicken wire then do
> >the rebar then the next two layers.  There will be little room behind for
> >someone to hold a board so I was thinking of using the soil behind as a
> >backer.
>
> Use the soil behind as a surface against which to brace. Loose pieces of
> poultry mesh quickly become ungainly. If a wall is, say, two feet high, buy
> four-foot poultry mesh, fold it in two the long way out where you have
> space to work comfortably. Then drop the folded wire over the top
> horizontal rebar. After wiring everything together--by far the most tedious
> part of the job--brace the plywood against the back wall of dirt with any
> sticks, boards, one-bys or two-bys handy. You don't need a second person,
> then, to apply the mortar.

Great idea, thanks.  Now one more thing.  I would like to build in some 
seats in a sort of alcove in the wall.  I am thinking of ways to do it 
without backer boards.

This whole project will be starting within the next two weeks.  First step 
is to remove some thick Red Apple Iceplant then cut back the bank.  Final 
work cannot be started until the people behind finish grading and build a 
fence.  Then I will know the grade and can finish.
Don Bowen
http://www.braingarage.com