Real Dirt for Scenery Question

[PMW]

I just collected my first batch of real dirt to try on the layout. What temp. and for how long should I bake it to make sure all the biology is gone before using it?

Thanks!

 

[TLOC]

I just collected my first batch of real dirt to try on the layout. What temp. and for how long should I bake it to make sure all the biology is gone before using it?

Thanks!

I bake real world scenery items at 250f degrees for 2-3 hours.

 

[TRAINNUT]

I just collected my first batch of real dirt to try on the layout. What temp. and for how long should I bake it to make sure all the biology is gone before using it?

Thanks!

I've had good experiences not baking it

 

[PMW]

I've had good experiences not baking it

While looking for an answer online I found that some people don't bake it. I don't think I can bring myself to not bake it first... just the way I am

 

[Bruette]

 

[migalyto]

While looking for an answer online I found that some people don't bake it. I don't think I can bring myself to not bake it first... just the way I am

I have also heard that they drag a magnet through it as well to make sure there's nothing metallic in it.

 

[logandsawman]

While looking for an answer online I found that some people don't bake it. I don't think I can bring myself to not bake it first... just the way I am

I never bake mine, air dry it for a few weeks and run it through a coffee sieve or colander. If that doesn't kill everything, the glue will.

Been using real dirt my whole life. Cheapest and most realistic ground cover around!

Dave LASM

 

[boatwrench]

Sometimes I will microwave on high for 2 minutes, but most time from the ground through the sieve and onto the layout. NWP Dave gave me some great advice last week for using a potting soil, tried it and it gave great results for a redwood forest.

 

[PMW]

View attachment 195602

Yup, that's my concern

 

[PMW]

I have also heard that they drag a magnet through it as well to make sure there's nothing metallic in it.

Didn't even occur to me. I will do that before gluing.

 

[Selector]

I have used sifted garden soil, dried, mixed with Plaster of Paris, and glued only with wood glue, on four consecutive layouts since entering the hobby 19 years ago. I have never baked it. Works fine just as it is.

Here it is, always in my yard:

 

[PMW]

I have used sifted garden soil, dried, mixed with Plaster of Paris, and glued only with wood glue, on four consecutive layouts since entering the hobby 19 years ago. I have never baked it. Works fine just as it is.

Here it is, always in my yard:

The ground cover looks really good. So does the rest of the layout

 

[Marlin39]

I use a mixture of sifted dirt (unheated, but I run a magnet through it) and sifted decomposed granite. I either put thinned paint or thin matte medium down first.

 

[PMW]

I use a mixture of sifted dirt (unheated, but I run a magnet through it) and sifted decomposed granite. I either put thinned paint or thin matte medium down first.

Good stuff! I’m glad I decided to use natural materials

 

[Guilford Railman]

I never bake mine, air dry it for a few weeks and run it through a coffee sieve or colander. If that doesn't kill everything, the glue will.

Been using real dirt my whole life. Cheapest and most realistic ground cover around!

Dave LASM

I am thinking of trying real dirt for my next layout. I’ve seen pictures here and there and the results look really good!

 

[Marlin39]

Here's sifted decomposed granite and then 50/50 sifted dirt and granite mix.

Straight granite on the left and granite/dirt mix on the right. The plain granite works great as ballast for logging or mining lines.

 

[tbirdfour]

I know this thread is a bit old but I thought I would pose another question, this one of scale.
I used real dirt on my first layout but I am not sure I will on my second. While I do like the look of the dirt texture, I've been wondering about scale. In HO scale I don't believe that one would see much, if any, texture at any kind of viewing distance. The grains of dirt under a figure's feet just look too big to me. However, the perceived detail of real dirt is very attractive to me, especially when used with other textures of stones, grass, etc.

And speaking of actual scale, one could make an argument against using static grass (which I will continue to use) and of adding nail holes to wood siding (which I don't do).

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[logandsawman]

I have used sifted garden soil, dried, mixed with Plaster of Paris, and glued only with wood glue, on four consecutive layouts since entering the hobby 19 years ago. I have never baked it. Works fine just as it is.

Here it is, always in my yard:

Those are some great looking scenes!

 

[Selector]

Thanks, Dave. I spent a lot of time on that layout, thinking about it, using splined roadbed for the first time, hand-laying at least six turnouts, and using ground goop landscaping. It turned out really well for me, and I was proud of it. I wish I could say the next two layouts have matched, or surpassed that early effort, but...............alas............................

 

[KB02]

I know this thread is a bit old but I thought I would pose another question, this one of scale.
I used real dirt on my first layout but I am not sure I will on my second. While I do like the look of the dirt texture, I've been wondering about scale. In HO scale I don't believe that one would see much, if any, texture at any kind of viewing distance. The grains of dirt under a figure's feet just look too big to me. However, the perceived detail of real dirt is very attractive to me, especially when used with other textures of stones, grass, etc.

And speaking of actual scale, one could make an argument against using static grass (which I will continue to use) and of adding nail holes to wood siding (which I don't do).

Thoughts? Opinions?

I have a theatrical background and constant idiom we use is, "Willful suspension of disbelief." Will the dirt look exactly prototypical? Probably not unless you're using a fine mesh sifter to pull out any larger pieces. I run my dirt through a cheap flour sifter to get a finer texture, but even then, it's still a bit rough if you want to talk exact dimension.
BUT... Real dirt is not always flat, level and even; variations in texture in real life is common place; and, quite frankly, when it comes to modeling, a "Close Enough" look is close enough.

Take styrene brick sheets as an example. The ones sold as HO scale have bricks that would be HUGE in real life. An average brick is 8" or so long. That would be less than 0.1" long in actual HO scale. Yet, when thig guy stands next to the tool shed as I run a train past, my mind's eye is willing to accept the illusion.