Natural Building How-To: Making Earthen Plaster (PART 1)

Lately, there's been a lot of building work going on around Dancing Rabbit.

So for this episode of Dancing Rabbit TV, we're taking the opportunity to provide a "how-to" natural building lesson, an in-depth video about earthen plastering techniques and application. Tamar guides us through every step of the way, showing how easy it is to make natural plaster from just a few simple ingredients, and both making and mixing the plaster, and then applying it to a natural home wall.

(Watch PART 2 of this video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8RlAHPKKf5Y)

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• dancing
• rabbit
• ecovillage
• drtv
• natural
• building
• earthen
• plastering
• construction
• green
• living
• eco
• environment
• sustainability

[yesiamanalien]

To those who are grossed out by the cow poo... it's natural and only "stinks bad" when it's very fresh. Even if it stinks when making the plaster, after a few days to a week there will be NO smell. If you are grossed out by cow poo, you don't know much about many things in life. Life is full of "gross things" lol

[leorios77]

your breast look great!

[markallen200]

I think I love Tomar!!!

[kyletango]

You need about 2 dozen tumble bugs to process the poop. LOL

[vidaripollen]

cow dung is an extremely versatile and beneficial substance.

[DontFriendInviteMe]

Ya' had me until the manure ... ಠ_ಠ

[resinator1]

@Cloudpiler heh no worries, i was just being an ass, its all good, i understand

Recycling is where its at, i do it till it falls apart,like i said, i was just being an ASS lol

u guys rock, if all hell broke loose, u would be the last ones standing, u dont DEPEND on crap like the city folks

Cheers

[Cloudpiler]

@resinator1 Most, if not all of the buckets I see in the vid are used. Those buckets would have been on their way to the landfill. Second, third, fourth or more uses make a more sustainable practice. Sans buckets, I'm sure other salvage items would do as well. Point is, since the plastic is going to be manufactured, why not do our best to responsibly use it? I use plastic because it holds water. When the bucket no longer holds water, I shred it and use it to strengthen cob.

[11mac11s]

My Mix:

5 Gallons of Sand (1 bucket)

2 1/2 Gallons of stirred clay (1/2 a bucket) -Clay should be as thick as tomato paste.-

1 Gallon of fresh cow manure

1 Gallon of Wheat paste. -Wheat paste should be as thick as vegetable oil-

1/2 a gallon of fresh chopped Horse manure.  -Don't just toss chucks in-

1/4 a gallon of fluffed cattail.

1/4 a gallon of chopped straw.

Remember, you can make up your own. Just try out at least 8 mixes before you choose. I've seen many recipes that work.

[11mac11s]

@resinator1

2 large wheelbarrows, a mortar hoe, and a shovel is your answer.