Mar 2025 Botanical Build Contest

Today we rain in spring, with our blossoming Botanical build contest. Get the behind the studs secrets of our favorite builds from this month!

For those new to build contests these are designed to spark some new creativity, play around with a new technique, and collaborate with our fellow I LUG NY members to make something collectively awesome in a short time period. I LUG NY members bring their builds in person to monthly meetings where we do a quick show and tell and then vote on our favorite builds. You can check out last months FebROVERy builds here.

We had 7 fun and enchanting builds this month. Thank you to all the members that participated! If you’re in the Long Island area you can see our botanicals at the Lake Grove Lego Store.

From Left to Right: Jason P, Stephen W, Damian M, Jeremy O, Eyal, Marielle, Keith J

We ended up with a neck and neck battle for 1st this month and I asked each builder 3 questions to get some insights into their creations.

(2nd) Marielle: Skunk in the Woods

What inspired you to create this month’s Rover?

I was inspired by some photos I saw recently of a pine forest. I wanted to try my hand at making some out of LEGO.

Did you run into any challenges during the build?

Only challenge was making do with the parts I had on hand.

What’s your favorite technique, piece, or nice part usage of the design?

My favorite piece was the minifigure tree trunk costume that I used as a fallen log on the ground of my scene. I made a small mushroom growing on it.

(1st) Stephen W: In the Grove

What inspired you to create this month’s Rover?

My Botanical Build was inspired by a few sets. Some of these sets include the Lego Icons Succulents Set 10309, the Lego Star Wars Endor Speeder Chase Diorama Set 75353, and the Lego A-Frame Cabin Set 21338. I wanted to tell my own story with a diorama using a tree as well as other plants/flowers.

Did you run into any challenges during the build?

Yes, I did run into some challenges. Trying to make the tree sturdy was a challenge as well as deciding how to create the floor and edges of the diorama. I was also constantly questioning how I can make the build better by either adding certain elements/details or by taking some away. I wanted to build a full and vibrant display but had to walk a fine line between making it too bare or possibly even making it too full or overcrowded.

What’s your favorite technique, piece, or nice part usage of the design?

My favorite build technique of the design was the big tree in which I used the brown round element as the base for the tree then added other brown tall elements for support and to create a trunk like texture. I did enjoy including flowers on the white arch as well as on top of the little pond. The bigger plant/flower by the front left corner was also something that I was experimenting with and thought included some nice npu from various Botanical sets.