Public Horticulture

Trains are simply another popular theme for a garden or landscape used by individuals or professionals. There are famous train gardens across the United Stated ranging from Vermont to Illinois and all the way to Louisiana and Wisconsin. Train gardens are so popular that people have formed clubs and organizations such as the Washington, Virginia and Maryland Garden Railway Society.

When adding building to construct your villages you must first think about the weather they are going to need to withstand. The type of train you used or select should be based on the weather you have as well. Most commonly used are electric powered, but some people go as far as steam powered and digital audio powered. Steam powered train can use clean burning butane gas or sterno-type fuel. The digital audio trains can include natural sound to make it seem as if the is a real train running through you garden. Trains can come in several sizes as well, but most common is the 1/32 scale.

Train gardens can include geographical features, dwarf plants and individual villages made up of small houses and buildings. When designing these types of gardens you must remember that much time and maintenance is required. Plants are always in need of pruning and other regular maintenance.

The geographical features may include ponds, boulders and mountains with tunnels running through them. Ponds may become complicated with different levels with streams that require bridges for the train to cross. Rocks use for boulders can create a natural feeling resembling mountains in the west.

So if this is has any interest to you remember all you need to start is a small area in your backyard, a train and a few pieces of track. With time you can add plants, rocks, water and tunnels or bridges. Most public horticultural facilities have train gardens within their displays and if you want ideas for your new train garden I would suggest you make a visit. There are many train shows that exist throughout the United States as well. I wish you the best of luck with your next project and feel free to call a professional for additional help.

Story by Aaron Tournoux

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