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A layout comprises many elements: trackwork, topographical features, buildings, vegetation. There are commercial products
available for all of these. Yet a little effort (in most cases, it really is very little) can provide some unique flora for
your layout.
How about a hedgerow? I started with two small pieces of gray board (the stiff backing to a pad of legal paper, for example)
cut to the size I wanted. I laminated them together to create the thickness desired. Where the hedgerow would bend, I bevel
cut one of the layers; I also included an archway for someone to walk through (picture 1). I folded the corners and glued
the beveled edges to hold the shape (picture 2). Once dry, I coated both surfaces with white glue and dipped it in ground
green foam allowing it to set. The next day, I painted on more glue and sprinkled on additional ground foam; this provides
more surface texture. A quick vacuuming (once dry!) and it was ready to plant in place (picture 3). Total work time (excluding
drying): about 20 minutes. The same technique can be used to make a lower hedge for a field or yard; a bit of fancy edge
cutting at the beginning, and you'll have a neatly manicured hedge to set off around a more expensive home.
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| Picture 1 |
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| Picture 2 |
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| Picture 3 |
Poplars, anyone? A) I started with a few pipe-cleaners (picture 4), and B) dipped them in green paint to ensure the paint
soaked all the way to the core. When dry, C) I cut to the height desired and, using a wire nipper, trimmed away the bristles
to reveal a textured trunk; the trunk should not exceed 1/4 of the height (leave some extra to plant the tree). D) I applied
white glue to the trunk and smoothed down the bristle fuzz with my fingers by twisting in one directions, and allowed it to
dry. E) I dipped the leafy portion in white glue and then in ground green foam and let dry. F) I repeated the last step
to get more thickness and texture. When done, plant them on your layout, and consider using them along a roadside, as that
is how they are often cultivated (picture at top of page). Total work time: about 30 minutes yielded a dozen Poplars.
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| Picture 4 |
Row crops? Perhaps grapes for the wine connoisseurs? I took a long piece of medium thick yarn and soaked it in thick green
paint, then hung it to dry with a weight on the end. Once dry, the yarn was rather stiff, but still had some "give";.
I carefully cut the yarn to the appropriate lengths and white-glued them in parallel rows, being sure to make the rows perpendicular
to the slope. I then brushed white glue onto the yarn only and sprinkled ground green foam onto the plants. After vacuuming
the excess, I touched up the ends which still showed the original yarn color (picture 6). Total work time: 45-60 minutes
for about an acre of vineyard.
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| Picture 6 |
What's that, you say? There are plants you want but they don't grow on your layout? Perhaps it's the wrong season? Maybe
you need a greenhouse! The basic shape can be obtained from a variety of sources; two possibilities include the plastic packaging
from a 5 blade tube of Exacto blades (picture 7, foreground) and the plastic packaging from a 2 or 4 pack of AA batteries
(picture 7, background). The first is great for the serious gardener. The second would be appropriate for a commercial greenhouse,
using only the top plus a wood or brick foundation. (One could also shorten the greenhouse and install it as an addition
on a house; this would be great for a hobby gardener.)
I sanded the underside to remove the paper and glue, but did not remove the flat edge. I masked the plastic to allow
painting a typical grid of white supports for the green house glazing. (Note: larger spacing than is on a prototype will
look better, as it will be easier to see the plants inside.) I also painted a door white though it could be a different color
(Micron-Art®'s Scratch® Line provides some good candidates), and glued it to one end. Before installing, I marked the area
the greenhouse was to occupy (inner dimensions), One could put a few tables in the space with colored plants on them; I chose
plantings right on the ground; a gardener or two makes the scene much more alive. Finally, I glued the greenhouse in place,
using that leftover edge for stability and added ground foam turf to hide the edge (picture 8). [Another view of this greenhouse
can be seen on the Ubungsberg layout page.]
Happy gardening!
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| Picture 7 |
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| Picture 8 |
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