How to Build an Arbour on a Low Budget
Many green builders are moving to using earth as a building material as it has a number of advantages. It is a low in cost, the materials can be found relatively easily, and it incorporated a number of recycled materials.
Installing an earthen object in the garden also provides the opportunity to the artist within you to show its skills as well.
Things required:
– Three similarity sized broken cement blocks or flat sided rocks, one to one half feet square
– Source of soil with a clay and sand content
– Bag of wheat flour
– Linseed or other oil
– Melted candle wax
– Carving tools
Instructions
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1
Put the rocks or damaged cement blocks on top of one another till they reach about one to two feet height, the actual height depends on the amount of rainfall your area receives. More rain means you will need a higher foundation to save it from the splashing of water.
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2
Spread all the rocks in the garden and inspect them carefully. Arrange them in a fashion so that their best side is clearly visible. You will need a full stacked foundation for all the pillars that you want to construct. If you want your arbour high enough for people to stand underneath it, the height of the pillars should be more than 5 feet.
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3
Arrange a mixing tarp and add two buckets of freshly dug soil in it. Use a collection of chopped straws to sprinkle the dirt and then jump on the feet to mix it properly. You will have to add water during this process, so it is recommended to wear old or worn out shoes.
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4
When the paste has taken the form of the dough its go time. Use a shovel to bring the paste to the foundation base. The mixture is formed upward from the base, be sure to overlap it with the base of the pillar. This will also help the pillar hold firmly in its place. You should take your time, there is no need to hurry. Work slowly with your hands and fingers when forming the pillar. You can make any design for the pillar as you raise it upwards slowly. The easiest one to make is the square pillars.
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5
Wait for the mix to dry. As it dries, the mix will turn hard and start behaving more and more like the Portland cement.
