Dirt

[kabang27]

What do you guys use for your "dirt" scenes? I want to hear of some other ways so I can get a little more realistic than what I am doing now. any methods would be appreciated.
Thanks, Jeff

[bill@hogheaven]

Cant get more realistic than using dirt for dirt.

[kabang27]

I know to use dirt. The question was how can I get the dirt to "stick" so there is no spots that look empty or bare.

[Darrell]

Modge Podge

[Beaumont taxidermy]

you can mix 50/50 elmers white glue with water and then put this on your habitat...  then use dirt in one of the 'shaker' and shake it over the glue..  just like using a salt shaker...  are you treating the dirt at all before using it?  make sure that there are no bugs or parasites... 

[Jim B]

Mix the 50/50 Elmer's into the dirt making a mud that you can spatula on the base.Smooth and blend it with a wet paint brush.Sink small rocks or objects in it before it dries.It will dry in a day,the dirt will be well sealed and durable.

[Hagans]

Jim B,
   in my experience doing what you suggested tends to make the "dirt" look like mud.  Do you do anything to remedy this?

[bill@hogheaven]

sprinkle dry detritus on the " mud " while still wet, shake off excess when dry.

[PWS]

Use acrylic latex floor adhesive....  inexpensive, easy cleanup, dirt NEVER has a problem sticking.  You can thin down to any consistency, put in a ziploc and use like a pastry bag to squeeze between rocks, on vertical surfaces, etc.

[mjroberts]

there is a guy on here don't remember his name but he makes a bucket of dirt.I have seen a lot of people enquire about it. I think he wants 35 bucks for the bucket it some one can help him out on finding it for him would be great

[amerriam]

Beaumont,
How do you "treat" your dirt.  Do you freeze it, or put it in the oven?  I know washing it would be a mess.  Could you spray it with somw bug killer?

Thanks,
amerriam

[Dougtman]

What a timely post!  Jim B thanks for the technique... this is my first habitat that I'm going to put a small tan coyote on.  This picture was taken right after doing it so it was wet, it's drying nice today and looking real good, the little root hairs and rocks are showing up.  Wished I'd had the foresight to put some coyote tracks in it before it dried!

Gotta give a shout out to my wife, she made the wood base out of pine trim and stained honey oak.  I've got about $25 in this base so far.

ftp://

[Jim B]

No problem Doughtman.Somebody told me about it.Tracks would be cool.Oh well,there will be a lot more bases in the future.

[Dougtman]

Forgot to post the pic in the above post:

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii131/dougtman_2000/DSC04534.jpg[/img]]

[Dougtman]

Sorry to hijack your post Kabang, but I'm really "digging" this dirt!  After posting last night I decided things had dried enough to go ahead and put this little guy on.  My first coyote on the first habitat.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii131/dougtman_2000/Coyotemount.jpg[/img]]