I got coffee grounds that is. Ive been saving some coffee grounds for dirt on my layout but it smells .. anybody have any idea how to get the smell out of grounds.
Coffee grounds: I don't recommend using any food item in this manner, as it can draw mice and bugs. Alternatively, you can do that with real dirt. Bake completely dry. Get a cheap cookie sheet, spread out the material evenly, bake at like 300 degrees for 10 mins or so. When completely dry, crumble and sift, then store in zip top bags. Almost free, except the energy to run the oven, and a cheap cookie sheet.
Sidney, Coffee grounds belong in your compost pile, not on your layout. I wouldn't use anything organic, on my layout, because the chance of inviting friends, (mold, insects, Yeti), isn't worth the risk. There are so many other materials you can use. Personally, I use Black Beauty. It is a base used under patio pavers. I sift it into different sizes and use rare earth magnets to check for metal, then wash it. Depending on the size; aggregate for tar roofs, for coal loads or rip-rap. Since you can get many sizes it is really up to your imagination. Whatever I don't use is ready to go for the next project, already washed, sized and stored in deli containers. Glenn
OK ill toss the grounds They just looked like a good ground in some places on my lay out.. I have a whole back yard for dirt but its all wet from snow and too cold fer me to go out there. Ive got tree moss that i saved from when i lived in cali for some brush. that works well so far... Thank y'all for replies .
Hi Sidney, How about saw dust? Maybe cut up some scrap wood you might have lying around. You could also buy cheap sponges at the dollar store. Soak them with paint, and when dry, cut them down with a saw. Then you have ground foam. There should be lots of videos on either option.
How about course ground black pepper. It looks the same and much harder. Be careful with the Restaurant Ground. It is strong.
think im gunna wait till the ground gets better out side an warmer.. then walk down to the bottom of my back forty where the water pools up at. that dirt looks about the color im after.
Give a thought to ground walnut shells. You can purchase this at any shop that sells bullet reloading materials. It is used to tumble brass and polish it. If it's not fine enough for your scenery, throw some in a blender and make it finer. Don't use a blender with a plastic reservoir!....really!
haha funny i have a friend that uses walnut shell for tumbling casings or i could go buy some walnuts as i love those English ones.
Put it in the microwave for a few minutes to kill the bacteria. Take it out and stir it up and put it back in for a few minutes more
Not a fan of anything organic, used as a cover on scenery. Use REAL rock or dirt. You can buy a bag of POTTING SOIL for cheap. Like others have posted: Heat soil up on cheap cookie sheet [Dollar Store model]. Be ready to explain to Wife, "Whatta ya doing there? Einstein" the full process. Arizona Rock and Mineral sells rock, with some of the best selection. And always use a STRONG magnet to pull any iron filings out of the mix.
When I was about 17 or 18, I tried this. NOT a good idea. They will mold. NOT a good idea. I tried this in my youth, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far way while in my midteens. My roadbed molded. You put down gorgeous looking coffee grounds, and wind up with a bluish green mess that looks like a bad cartoon. It is a mess. Do NOT use food stuff, organic matter, etc
