[rintinglen]

I use saw dust that I got free from work. It is the same as flocking, only you have to paint it. Paint just the top of the base with the color you want it to be, I usually use brown or green. Before the paint dries, dip it in the saw dust, knock off the excess by gently flicking the base with a fingernail, set it aside and go on to the next. Ideally, you should be doing at least 20 models, so that by the time the last one is dipped the first one is dry. When the last one has been "dusted", paint the base sides and the saw dust, then set aside to dry. I have finished 40 models in 80 minutes without really hurrying.
If you don't have a hobby shop handy, (or don't feel like cutting up some boards just for the saw dust) get some of the gravel that they sell in stores for birds. It's clean, it's cheap, and usually readily available. I saw some in the grocery store the other day.