Anthony,
For the ground itself, I used regular spackle compound for drywall patching in this 1/87 diorama but there are a bunch of things you can use like plaster of paris for instance. Since it takes a while for the spackle to set up, I have time to run a few old tires through it to create ruts.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stryper50/detail?.dir=730e&.dnm=e936.jpg&.src=ph
Then it's just a matter of painting it. The low spots have some Future floor wax in them to replicate puddles.
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/stryper50/detail?.dir=730e&.dnm=9f86.jpg&.src=ph
For grass I just use Woodland Scenics selection of grasses or fine sawdust tinted green.