The Garden Path
A path can be added to any part of the garden be it the front, back or just round the side of the house.
A garden needs to be explored and a path enables full investigation of all aspects of the garden especially for any visitors.
A path helps to add to the landscape and needs to be inviting.
Currently there may be a 'natural' path that has simply been where everyone has tramped over the years.
It is probably just a straight path from the back door to the shed at the end of the garden with the only deviation being round the odd piece of garden.
So isn't it time to turn this grassy area into a real path that can be walked on in all weathers with no fear of slipping on wet grass.
In reality a garden path can be completed in less than a day but that will of course depend on the length and the materials that are used.
As for the material there is any number of different ones available.
Whatever material you intend using the best results will be obtained by digging the area down by approximately three to four inches.
This will be for the base material and is okay for foot traffic however if there is going to be heavier than foot traffic perhaps a couple of inches extra would be better.
Once dug ensure the area is firm and level and follow this by the addition of a base of sand.
The sand will be superb if you have decided to finalise your path with pavers or stone but anyone wanting to finish with cement will need to do slightly more preparation.
If you have used pavers you should have laid them on the sand and gradually swept sand in between the cracks.
Water the sand in and in time it will turn into virtual cement just like a mortar.
With most paths there will come a time when weeds make an appearance.
Between pavers it is fairly easy as any weed can be extracted or weed killer can be deployed.
In time it may be necessary to add more sand.
If you want to use bark or gravel then be careful if the path is next to any lawn as any overlap can go onto the lawn and ruin the border.
It can also prove a problem with the lawn mower blades.
The use of plastic or wood edging will work wonders in keeping the bark and gravel within and away from the lawn area.
Don't forget that whereas gravel is durable and will last for many years, bark is organic and in time will break down.
Replacement of the bark will be necessary.
A garden needs to be explored and a path enables full investigation of all aspects of the garden especially for any visitors.
A path helps to add to the landscape and needs to be inviting.
Currently there may be a 'natural' path that has simply been where everyone has tramped over the years.
It is probably just a straight path from the back door to the shed at the end of the garden with the only deviation being round the odd piece of garden.
So isn't it time to turn this grassy area into a real path that can be walked on in all weathers with no fear of slipping on wet grass.
In reality a garden path can be completed in less than a day but that will of course depend on the length and the materials that are used.
As for the material there is any number of different ones available.
Whatever material you intend using the best results will be obtained by digging the area down by approximately three to four inches.
This will be for the base material and is okay for foot traffic however if there is going to be heavier than foot traffic perhaps a couple of inches extra would be better.
Once dug ensure the area is firm and level and follow this by the addition of a base of sand.
The sand will be superb if you have decided to finalise your path with pavers or stone but anyone wanting to finish with cement will need to do slightly more preparation.
If you have used pavers you should have laid them on the sand and gradually swept sand in between the cracks.
Water the sand in and in time it will turn into virtual cement just like a mortar.
With most paths there will come a time when weeds make an appearance.
Between pavers it is fairly easy as any weed can be extracted or weed killer can be deployed.
In time it may be necessary to add more sand.
If you want to use bark or gravel then be careful if the path is next to any lawn as any overlap can go onto the lawn and ruin the border.
It can also prove a problem with the lawn mower blades.
The use of plastic or wood edging will work wonders in keeping the bark and gravel within and away from the lawn area.
Don't forget that whereas gravel is durable and will last for many years, bark is organic and in time will break down.
Replacement of the bark will be necessary.
Source...