To create a garden path or paths, keep in mind your overall garden design - formal, informal, cottage, etc. Then choose the form the path will take, either straight or curved. The material can be either river rock, pea gravel (use natural colors), cypress bark 3-4" deep, grass, brick or stepping stones interplanted with moss or thyme. Choose a border - plants, brick, landscape timbers or precast border forms.

The width of the path is your next decision. The ideal width allows enough space for two adults to walk side by side. However, if your garden is small, choose a wheelbarrow's width or a lawn mower's width.

Begin by laying out the path edges using a garden hose or sand as an outline. Then clear the path area of all plants and level with a garden rake. For a grassy path, prepare the soil as you would for a lawn, add seed and straw to cover and water at least twice a day until growth is substantial.

If you are using materials other than grass, cut and fit overlapping sheets of weed matting or black plastic along the path extending the edges at least five inches. This will prevent weeds. River rock and pea gravel can be laid down on top of the plastic to a depth of at least three inches or enough to completely cover the plastic.

Stepping stones or bricks should be placed on two to four inches of course sand. First level the sand by using a 2x4 cut to the width of the path. Drag the wood over the sand until level. A carpenter's level is handy at this stage. Then pack the sand by moving a piece of flat plywood along the top of the sand and pressing down by stepping on the wood.

Decide the pattern you wish to use in laying down the bricks. Illustration "A" , below, shows a pattern which keeps the bricks from shifting. Illustration "B" shows stepping stones. After placing your choice on the packed sand, pour small amounts of sand over the material and sweep the sand into the cracks. When filled completely, wet down your new path, by sprinkling gently with a water hose until you are satisfied that the sand is packed tightly. Cover the edge of the plastic with dirt or your chosen border. Enjoy!

A.

B.


"What a man needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it."
Charles Dudley Warner


We recently received the following email:

Inquiry:
"I am searching for info on how to get rid of my lawn in the backyard. I have Bermuda and other grasses. I would like to transform it into a garden path with beds for veges and other plants. I do not like to use poisons. If I were to lay down black plastic and cover the path with gravel...would the grass grow back through? I live in desert area. Water bill is high. Need help. Any ideas." Thanks

Response:
In order to rid yourself of the Bermuda and other grasses, I suggest that you cover it up with at least 6 to 8 layers of newspaper. Cover newspaper with at least six to eight inches of compost and topsoil. The grass should eventually die and decompose. Do not remove the newspaper. Add more soil and compost before you plant. You make a hole in the newspaper and insert your plant. The newspaper will eventually decompose and it is environmentally friendly. Once your plants are in the ground, be sure to mulch heavily to prevent weeds. You can use equipment to remove the sod, however, you will need to add soil and compost and plant immediately, finishing with the mulch.

You can use the newspaper method to start a path. Cover the newspaper with "heavy" plastic before adding cedar wood chips (keeps ants away but not as permanent) or gravel.

Regarding watering - I have found that soaker hoses are the most economical, water-bill wise. That way the water goes directly to the plant's roots and does not evaporate as when sprinkling with a hose or sprinkler. You can also save by setting a timer at the faucet to come on early in the morning before peak use of water in your area.

You can also use hot, hot water to rid your lawn of old roots from vines and plants. You have to dig to the roots first. This one my grandmother taught me." Best regards