Dirt habitat on plywood.

[Iowadeerhunter]

I have read a lot of pages back on how to make a dirt base. 50/50 mixture of elmers glue and water and mix in the dirt. The only thing I ran into was somebody put this on plywood and it warped the wood. My base is made of plywood and obviously do not want this problem. So should I put down a layer of foam? Also how do I go about putting in grasses? Drill small holes and glue the grass in?

[Dean]

Foam wit 2 part foam first if you can. That way you can make a more natural shape to the base instead of flat. Shave off the skin so the glue can bond to the foam cells.  How thick is your plywood? I have never had the problem of warping plywood.

[Iowadeerhunter]

3/4 inch plywood

[George Roof]

Seal your plywood first (I doubt 3/4 inch would warp, but it never hurts to be careful).  You can seal it with El;mer's Glue if you don't have a good sealer available already.  Let it completely dry and then apply your dirt.  I do suggest you staple the surface with staples that leave some head exposed. This will allow your "dirt" to grip and secure permanently to the plywood. Oftentimes, the glue on the bottom cures before the middle and the entired "dirt" will disbond. The staples will prevent that.

[eric7791]

i have always used osb. (oriented strand board)  they use waterproof water resin binders to help with strength and give it a water resistant surface. if there is an area where there is lot of building going on where you live ( subdivisions ) you can get all you want in the trash piles. buliders waste so much.

[Iowadeerhunter]

Sealed it tonight. Also got a lot of elmers glue.

When I go to put my grasses in do I just drill small holes and glue the grass in there? Then maybe put some dirt over the base of teh grass to cover the hole/glue part a little?

[J P Baker]

Sealed it tonight. Also got a lot of elmers glue.

When I go to put my grasses in do I just drill small holes and glue the grass in there? Then maybe put some dirt over the base of teh grass to cover the hole/glue part a little?

Yes that will work.


I start with plywood, screw down a runner(small 2x2 or 2x4 for larger bases) in order to keep it from warping, foam, rocks, glue, dirt, glue, debris, glue, grass.

[Iowadeerhunter]

I got half of teh dirt applied and it is working good so far. Thanks for the tip on using staples, I think that is really helping it dry.

Also how long does it take to dry on average for you guys?

[Iowadeerhunter]

Got most of it done. The base is 2' X 4' so it is taking quite a bit. Working and looking good though.

[J P Baker]

Also how long does it take to dry on average for you guys?

  Normally overnight but I live in a very hi humidity area.