Garden Paths and Walkways

Looking at traffic patterns

With something as functional and heavily-used as a garden path, a little planning before installation can save a lot of trouble later. When planning your layout, keep in mind the natural traffic patterns of the area. The natural path will almost always be the shortest route between to points. Paths do not have to consist of straight lines and perfect angles -- how often have you seen a bare dirt path in the grass where where people had been literally cutting corners beside the "proper" path? Anyway, unless your garden design is strictly formal, the path will look more inviting and will encourage visitors to slow down and enjoy the garden, if it's a gradual arc, rather than a straight line. For very long paths, let the path bend first toward one direction, then gradually in the other.

Material

The material choice depends on the traffic level of the path and how much work you want to do to maintain it, as well as your personal tastes. Gravel and wood chips are inexpensive, but will need to be added to frequently, which increases the long-term cost. Although flagstone and brick pavers might cost more initially, they require less maintenance over the long term.

Personalized garden path stones

For an inexpensive, one-of-a-kind garden path you can easily make personalized stepping stones with simple molds and mortar mix. These stones work especially well as accent pieces or along a patio or outdoor grill area.

Making the stones

Molds can either be bought at a garden shop (pre-formed molds will ofter you a wider variety of shapes) or make your own by nailing . For more than one stone, buy several bags of mortar. Prepare a batch of mortar following the instructions on the bag.(Keep in mind that wet mortar is a caustic substance. Wearing gloves and a long-sleeve shirt is the safest bet to avoid injury.) Pour or scoop the mortar into your mold, tapping it down firmly to make sure the mold is completely filled with the mortar. Smooth the mortar top with a trowel.

Personalizing the stones
While the mortar is still wet, the stone is yours to design as you please. Use a pencil or stick to write your own or family members' names, the date, a title ( "Alice's Garden", "Welcome", etc.) or a favorite quote. Favorite quote won't fit on one stone? Write one phrase or word of the quote per stone and place the stone to be readable as you walk the path (just don't place them in a very high-traffic area!) Print the stones using rubber or sponge cut-outs of baby, cat, or duck footprints or any other shape. (design your own from sponges or check a craft store). If your kids want to make handprints, have a bucket of water ready to wash their hands in immediately afterward to prevent chemical burns. Experiment with leaves to see if any make a print you like (you can always re-smooth the mortar). Seashells, beach agets, beach glass also make attractive accents to stepping stones.

Finishing the stone
Let the stones cure for several days until they are completely hardened. Remove the stone from the mold and they're ready to be set into the garden path.

Building a garden path

Before buildig a garden path, mark the path with flour or lime, and then prepare the ground:

Gravel or wood chip paths
For gravel or wood chips, level off any bumps that may be a tripping hazard. Then simply dump the material in, between four and six inches deep. This is deep enough to disuade weeds, but shallow enough to walk on easily. Finally, smooth it out along the path.

Flagstones and pavers
For pavers or stone, remove the top layer of sod before setting in the stones. Then bring in a load of sand and dump it into the area of the walkway to about an inch deep. This will both help to hold the stones in place and cushions them as well. The bricks or stone can then be settled into the sand. For a formal look, pavers can be placed uniformly and pressed as close together as possible; for an informal look, leave an inch or two between each paver, and be less uniform in placement.

Landscaping a garden path

Edging and, for less formal paths, ground covers do a lot to improve the look of the path. As an edging plant, lavender is a good choice, and as you brush against it, you release the wonderful scent into the air. It is also a perennial, which means time and money saved on re-planting.

Informal paths can be made more attractive by growing plants between the stones. Creeping thyme, with it's ability to spead but not become invasive, it's scent, small white flowers, and tolerance of being walked on, is ideal for path ground cover. When choosing a path ground cover, make sure the roots are not so thick they'll push out the paving stones (as would happen with ivy, for example).

Unique garden path ideas

Who says a path has to lead door to door? A path leading to a garden swing, or simple garden bench can help turn a forgotten seating area into a focal point. Circular paths around a planting bed, pond, or statue also enhance garden elements.

Paths are the ideal location for hanging baskets and cascading pot stands. This raised, high-traffic area is perfect place to get full enjoyment from highly scented plants.

A path can provide entertainment. Place a pattern of numbered footprints in a dance step and you garden party guests can teach themselves to tango. For the kids, try a hopscotch pattern, or as the end point of a path, even a chessboard.