Building a Plowed Field
in an afternoon with whatever is laying around.
Click any image to enlarge
   

 

You can find several articles on how to build a plowed or farm field on the internet. I have not spent a lot of time researching this subject, so my advice would be to pick what works for your skill level and material stock.

I had a narrow section beside a branch line that needed some scenery.  The background image had corn fields in it from rural western Virginia. For the past three years that section had only a few shrubs and green paint.  I decided to build a section of field that was plowed and or just planted.

Step 1
I began by clearing what little shrubbery that was in place. Next I cut a piece cardboard to fit into the narrow strip of land. This was glued into place using hot glue.
Step 2
Using brown twine spaced 4ft apart I spiked each end down using rail spikes. To help secure the twine tightly, each piece was hot glued in the middle of its run.
Step 3
The entire cardboard and string were covered in plaster cloth.  You will have to run your fingers down each row a few times to hold the shape.
Step 4
To coat over the plaster cloth, I diluted Hydrocal Light with enough water to give it a milk shake constancy (not to thick). Then liberally paint down each row feeling in any holes and or cracks. Once done you can use the thicker mixer at the bottom of the bowl to blend in the edges of the cardboard.
Step 5
Using Woodland Scenic's earth tone paint, the entire area was painted twice.
Step 6
Blend the ends of the field with shrubbery etc.


 


Step I  Cardboard and twine.
Step II  The plaster cloth was added.
Step III  A coating of Hydrocal Light was painted on.

Painted and ready for planting