September 21

Another busy day of construction for the work crew. It was an exciting day as the first straw bale wall panel was tilted into place. Other wall panels were filled with straw and completed as well. We also met with teachers to discuss how the garden connects to their curriculum; the school is interested in starting a composting program.The team will work with the school to develop ideas and lesson plans, and ensure that youth are involved year-round with the community garden.

Here are some photos from the day:

The crew works on tying half straw bales. Each wall panel will include 17.5 bales with two full bales and a half bale in each row.

Greg retying a bale to create half bales.

Unloading bales.

It can be hard to get the bales stuffed into the wall panels as tight as they need to be. Sometimes you have to jump on them!

Another technique is to push on the bales with your feet. This only works for the first few rows. At the top of the panels, we sometimes used plastic sheets to try and get the bales to fit more tightly. For others, we stuffed the top row with mini bales (smaller than the half bales).

Pieces of rebar were driven through each panel vertically after the balled were stuffed in to provide stability when the panels were tilted as well as to prevent settling.

Crushed rock between the pressure-treated base plates provides drainage below the wall panels.

Brad and Colton were pretty excited when the first wall panel went up successfully.

The vent that will be installed over the earth tubes to allow for air circulation (and prevent animals and dirt from getting in).

Leveling out the floor of the GreenShed with sand, and later gravel.

Ladies behind the first wall panel.

Building a box for the window that will be installed at the top of the wall in the storage shed and greenhouse. The window will be installed after the wall is raised and attached to the foundation.

The crew makes sure the operable windows, salvaged from housing renovations, will be snug and secure in the new window boxes. These windows can be opened to provide ventilation in the enclosed buildings (storage shed and greenhouse).

Late night angle grinding to sharpen the rebar so it can be driven through the panels.

Putting tarps over the straw bale wall panels in case of rain overnight.