Please try again

“I opened-up a yogurt, underneath the lid it said, ‘Please try again,” because they were having a contest that I was unaware of. I though maybe I opened the yogurt wrong. …Or maybe Yoplait was trying to inspire me…’Come on Mitchell, don’t give up!’ An inspirational message from your friends at Yoplait, fruit on the bottom, hope on the top.” -Mitch Hedberg

Life can be just as dynamic and unpredictable as we humans are. Such has been the lesson learned in the construction of our straw bale entrance. Building this permaculture structure has been a learning process, and mistakes have been made, but we’ve learned from them and pass on what we’ve learned.

Last week, we had a minor set- back in our plastering of the straw bale entrance. The lime plaster was cracking and chipping, and two layers of plaster had to be removed. Rachel explained to me that they had mixed the wrong proportions, leaving out five buckets of sand. So, they had to take the time to chip down what had already been done and start over.She also said that if they had kept plastering on top of these cracking layers, it would have been like having a really strong outside wall with a weak foundation. And building on a weak foundation would definitely not create a sustainable building. Rather than rush to get it done, they learned from their mistake, corrected the ratio and kept moving on so they could finish their work.

It’s true, sometimes we just have to try again. Sometimes our plans do not work out like we imagine them. Often times our ideals are far beyond our reach and practice. Doesn’t mean we should ever give up or ever stop trying. Just means we live. We learn. And then, we get Luvs. Or maybe just Love. Maybe we should all eat some yogurt for inspiration.

Building your own straw bale shed? Built one in the past and have suggestions? Let us know your stories.

2 Comments

1. I have always been fascinated with strawbale construction, but worried that mold would be an issue here in moist East TN. I’d be interested to know what your research during the course of building this shed has taught you in this regard.

   Erin » September 24, 2009 at 11:23 am
2. Hey Erin,

   Through our research we have found that a 2-3 foot high foundation wall and a two foot overhang on the roof are necessary.
   The high foundation wall prevents water from entering the bale wall from splash back when rain hits the ground.
   The overhang on the roof stops any sideways rain from hitting the wall.
   The best plastering material for our climate is lime plaster. As the lime plaster calcifies, it wicks any moisture from the bale walls and helps to keep them dry. The calcification process can take a full two years, so you’re pretty guaranteed to keep your walls dry with the lime plaster.
   Also, you want to make sure that you have a good week without any rain to erect your walls. Before ever getting your bales, you should have a compression plate and roof built as well. This ensures your bales will be protected from the elements immediately after construction.
   High foundation wall, wide overhang, lime plaster, instant roof protection, relatively instant plastering.
   That’s what we found. Feel free to come by the farm and take a look. We love talking about this type of thing.
   Thanks.
   Ben Epperson

   ps. Check out these books:
   The Straw Bale House by Bainbridge and Swentzell Steen
   Serious Straw Bale by Bergeron
   The Beauty of Straw Bale Homes by Swentzell Steen

   and these sites:
   http://www.amazonails.org.uk/
   http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/strawbale.htm

   ben.epperson » September 29, 2009 at 11:57 am

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