permaculture

[Paul Wheaton <paul@richsoil.com>]

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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> > permaculture@lists.ibiblio.org
> > http://lists.ibiblio.org/mailman/listinfo/permaculture
> >
> 
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