Month: January 2011

Close-up Photo of Mesh Bag

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Kelly Hart posted a close-up photo of a mesh bag the other day. I noticed it was different than the bags we are using, and so I’m posting this photo for comparison. Our bags are 16”x32” with vertical threads and horizontal strips. Both types will probably work, but we want to document the different types … Read more

Drying Time with Mesh Bags

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The test mesh bag I recently made was substantially dry in just two days! I’m sure there’s some moisture inside, but the outside is already dry. This rate of drying is several times faster than poly bags. In addition to being good news for typical earthbag walls this also means alternative fill materials with plant … Read more

Contest for Finding U.S. Mesh Bag Supplier

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I’m going to donate one free copy of my upcoming earthbag book to the first person who locates a US supplier of raschel mesh bags. (Must be a type of bag or tube that’s suitable for earthbag building. Check carefully. There’s a 3/8″x3/8″ (approx.) mesh bag made of threads that soil would probably fall through.) … Read more

Bucket Chute with Shoulder Strap

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By now you’re probably getting excited like I am about using open weave mesh bags and tubes. I came up with this $10 solution for filling bags and tubes. It has a 3-gallon metal bucket chute with the bottom cut out and a heavy duty leather shoulder strap riveted on with three pop rivets per … Read more

Flattening Walls to Reduce Plaster Work

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From time to time we answer reader’s questions. Paul: In the EcoOcha video I noticed they tamped the sides to reduce the ‘log cabin’ look and to reduce the amount of plaster required. This smoother surface would be much easier to plaster. Owen: Yes, more and more builders are flattening the walls like this to … Read more