On sandy soil in N

[Iain]

I'd like to reproduce eastern NC sandy soil.  The prototype is generally light greyish, with very fine particles.  I've used drywall spackle, as it is close to the average color.  However, it is both not flat enough, and also is pretty much completely uniform in color.  Does anyone have any thoughts on making it look a little better?

[Dave V]

Sounds like a job for grout!  You ought to be able to bring in a soil sample at match it exactly at Home Depot or Lowes.

[davefoxx]

Let me in on that secret color, John.  I could use it on my layout.  I found a light sandy color paint that I apply over the foam substrate before applying foliage.  The funny thing is that everyone accuses my scenery base of being white, even after it's painted.  But, many folks don't really understand how light the color of the soil can be in eastern North Carolina.  Truthfully, it can almost become sun-bleached to white in areas.  If I understand correctly, the sandhills (my layout's locale) are literally ancient sand dunes left from when the ocean was higher or the land was lower.

DFF

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Yep. Unsanded grout. If you need variation, blend multiple colors.

[Blazeman]

I recall a mention in threads past about the grouts and blending. To that end, maybe there could be a blending party somewhere between the DC-Balto and Phila areas. A bag of the grout is costly as I recall...low $20's for a three-lifetime supply. Perhaps where there are concentrations of members in areas, a similar event could be arranged.

One brings the gray, another black, another sand and so on along with containers and a little portable scale.

Maybe a tie-in to a Timonium show (coming up shortly, weather permitting).