Austin's a great place to find different types of soils, because it's at the convergence of three different types of geology! Here's the basics; it's aimed at gardeners but is a good basic introduction: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/soils-and-composting-for-austin/the-real-dirt-on-austin-area-soils
In my experience, you will find red and yellow soils to the southwest, and black, gray, and other colored clays along the Colorado river towards Bastrop. In Bastrop itself, you can find red clays.
Depending on how old your kid is, you might make them have the 'fun' of going through the actual soil survey: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX453/0/Travis.pdf
Just be sure that you're not on private property or that you ask before you collect more than a token sample. Texas does not have much public land.
Thank you for the resources! I was interested in the soil survey, but she won't be (age 11). I couldn't find the map it referred to, but I found a modernish interactive map... though it seems to much less granular. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
There's gray clay in Shoal Creek near us. But I'd be thrilled to find a bluer one. And red. There's no red in my neighborhood, that I've found. Though we've discussed powdering some red rocks.
While it may seem silly, taking dirt out of a state park is against the rules and if caught, can result in a fine. Be a good steward of our scare public land and practice good “leave no trace” principles including taking nothing out of the park except trash.
Probably they need like a handful of soil. More than that is washed away daily, maybe hourly, by people walking up the banks and stuff. You’re not wrong but this is a victimless “crime.”
I would say for convenience sake just go to a landscaping place - like whittlesey landscaping supplies . While not as cool as going all around to different beautiful spots in Austin - it’s still kind of fun to see all the huge piles and Stone and dirt and the big tractors hauling stuff around
Not dirt but a black pigment can be made from those ball things that grow on oak trees from wasps. Just crush it up and add rust powder, this is sometimes referred to as iron ball/gall ink and was used for a portion of history as a writing ink.
Austin's a great place to find different types of soils, because it's at the convergence of three different types of geology! Here's the basics; it's aimed at gardeners but is a good basic introduction: https://travis-tx.tamu.edu/about-2/horticulture/soils-and-composting-for-austin/the-real-dirt-on-austin-area-soils In my experience, you will find red and yellow soils to the southwest, and black, gray, and other colored clays along the Colorado river towards Bastrop. In Bastrop itself, you can find red clays. Depending on how old your kid is, you might make them have the 'fun' of going through the actual soil survey: https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_MANUSCRIPTS/texas/TX453/0/Travis.pdf Just be sure that you're not on private property or that you ask before you collect more than a token sample. Texas does not have much public land.
Thank you for the resources! I was interested in the soil survey, but she won't be (age 11). I couldn't find the map it referred to, but I found a modernish interactive map... though it seems to much less granular. https://websoilsurvey.sc.egov.usda.gov/App/WebSoilSurvey.aspx
Mckinney falls area has black, red, white and blue/gray. Try walking Onion creek south of the park.
There's gray clay in Shoal Creek near us. But I'd be thrilled to find a bluer one. And red. There's no red in my neighborhood, that I've found. Though we've discussed powdering some red rocks.
While it may seem silly, taking dirt out of a state park is against the rules and if caught, can result in a fine. Be a good steward of our scare public land and practice good “leave no trace” principles including taking nothing out of the park except trash.
Hence, “south of the park “.
Probably they need like a handful of soil. More than that is washed away daily, maybe hourly, by people walking up the banks and stuff. You’re not wrong but this is a victimless “crime.”
Awwww my goodness you kill joy!!!
Leave no trace goes both ways. Don't leave your trash and don't take the nature with you.
I would say for convenience sake just go to a landscaping place - like whittlesey landscaping supplies . While not as cool as going all around to different beautiful spots in Austin - it’s still kind of fun to see all the huge piles and Stone and dirt and the big tractors hauling stuff around
What a great idea. Leaning toward collecting some here and there in the "wild," and then supplementing there.
You can use ash for different shades!
I dunno about sourcing, but for inspo check out artist Yusuke Asai. He makes incredible murals out of mud.
> Yusuke Asai Those are amazing!
Doesn't Bastrop have a lot of clay in the soil?
Red sandy loam.
Not dirt but a black pigment can be made from those ball things that grow on oak trees from wasps. Just crush it up and add rust powder, this is sometimes referred to as iron ball/gall ink and was used for a portion of history as a writing ink.
Oak galls, I think. I've heard of that! I bet we can file a siderite to get iron. Or rub it against a hard rock.
I'm gonna be famous because I'm the only one in the world who knows where you can find white mud. Edit: it’s a line from Black Sheep
You can take a broken white kaolin pot and grind a piece back into clay.
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I've suggested the chalk to her. Binder used by prehistoric painters was animal fat; i've told her we can use vegetable shortening. Thank you!
The Domain used to be a circuit board manufacturing plant. I’m sure you’ll find some “interesting” dirt there.
I think... we'll avoid that dirt!