Mike that is a nice article

Mike that is a nice article and a very useful way to rapidly tree an area. We will have a large amount of trees to do on our club layout as the need for forest is great. Really love all the step by step photos.

Getting Real is excellent

Since  I am in the midst of my first permanent layout this article is of great value to me.

I am having difficulty locating a source for Florist foam, and 2"construction foam is all but impossible to find in San Diego. I am open to suggestions re; the florists foam.

Florists foam sources

6" x 12" at a great price ...
http://www.afloral.com/Floral-Supplies/Floral-Foam/Econofoam-Styrofoam-Sheet-2-x-6-x-12

​On Amazon, but can get pricey:

http://amzn.com/B000XAQLZA

http://amzn.com/B001681RS4

Finally, it's also available at Michaels ...

http://www.michaels.com/M10456101.html?dwvar_M10456101_color=Green#start=14

http://www.michaels.com/floracraft-wet-foam-bricks-green/10009948.html#start=20

Using real dirt?

Hi. I loved the article. The huge number of photos, even with small incremental changes, made a huge difference in the value it provided. Joe, this was a good choice as you were juggling the page count in this issue.

i recall reading before that prior to using "real" dirt it needed to be put in the oven or microwave to kill any living seeds, insects, bacteria, etc. how should that be done? I'm also curious about how thick a layer of the dirt you used over the very steep foam inclines. I have similar, near vertical ones on my layout.

thanks!

Neil 

Treeing-in

Rob:

Thanks!   Look for the completion of Laceyville to a large extent in the next column, I think you'll see another huge leap forward.

-Mike

Florist Foam sources

I bought all of my foam at A.C. Moore (and some at Michael's) with 40 and 50% off coupons.  You can print them right off their website.   Yes it took multiple trips and multiple friends but half price made it worth it and affordable.

-Mike R

Using Real Dirt

Neil:

I've never sterilized my real, genuine New England Dirt. 

What I do is take an old dishpan, go out into the yard and fill it mostly up, and then leave it in the furnace room for a few weeks to really dry out.   Sometimes I'll turn it all over a couple of times to speed the process.  I also found that locating it near the dehumidifier works well also.

I learned through experience that the dirt must be thoroughly dry or you can't sift it.  I use aluminum window screen to do that.   I save the screened out material for general debris use elsewhere, almost nothing is wasted.  

The dirt does not need to be thick when used over the florist foam, which has a nice texture already.   For very steep hillsides, I often literally just take pinches of it and throw it against the hillside onto the wet earth colored paint!   For difficult areas you can put some on a folded piece of cardstock and blow it against the hillside, also very easy (just don't inhale!).

I've never had any issues or problems with the dirt and you can't beat the price.

-Mike R

Good tips on being productive

Mike,

Thanks for your article about being productive. The photos showing your progress and highlighted areas along the way where you were focusing your efforts were very helpful in following your narrative. Your advice on dedicating small amounts of time consistently seems particularly powerful and is some place I want to get to soon.

Question, though: how do you get your wife to let you have the time?

You've done an exemplary job on your layout. Thanks for showing us.

-- Ed

Thanks for the advice. Sorry

Thanks for the advice. Sorry for the delay in doing so