Garden WalkWay DIY.
Garden WalkWay DIY.
Hello.
I will say right away that I did not plan to shoot a video on the topic of arranging garden paths.
They could already be seen in my videos about raised beds, a compost bin or a parking lot.
For me, a garden path is just a solution that will allow me to move around my site without getting my shoes wet or dirty.
So, a garden path 1.5 m wide and 15 m long, created in 2 days, cost me about $ 105, the estimate is at the end of the video.
... While still studying at the university, then working as a design engineer, and now when arranging my personal life, I am always guided by the rule: From simple to complex, From cheap to expensive.
For example, if I wanted the edges of the garden path to be even, then I additionally installed a board with a cross-section of 100x25 mm as a border, although this could not be done.
And in another place I will save money, and I will not remove the fertile soil layer.
I will not even remove the grass, because it will rot later.
As the main decor, I use concrete slabs, made by myself using the vibration casting method, 50x50 cm in size, 5 cm thick.
I just try on the slabs and level the soil underneath them a little so that they do not wobble.
Somewhere I use a garden hoe, and somewhere I just remove the bumps on the soil with a mallet (or hammer).
The path itself will consist of granite crushed stone of fraction 20-40 mm, strewn in a 5 cm layer, on top of agrofibre.
Specifically, in this area I use the remains of needle-punched agrofibre with a density of 300 g per square meter, which I lay directly on the fertile layer. In another place of the garden path, heat-bonded agrofibre with a density of only 50g per square meter will be used.
I already have such paths, and even the thinnest agrofibre has survived 4 winters already!
I spread the agrofibre, put concrete slabs in their places and fill the rest of the space with crushed stone.
The most important thing that I learned when constructing a garden path using stepping slabs is that you need to find the optimal distance for your step length.
Of course, there are standard indicators, such as 62 or 64 cm.
It is logical that the taller a person is, the longer his step, but there is one but...
Most of all, the step length depends on the walking speed.
For example, my step for laying slabs on the road from the gate to the porch is 65 cm.
I walked a lot on the temporarily laid slabs before settling on this value and starting installation.
So, if you walk along this same path at a slow pace, it seems that the slabs are laid very rarely!
And if you try to walk at a fast pace, it seems that the slabs are laid very often!
In fact, without expecting it, but by the frequency of laying slabs on the stepping path, we form the rhythm of our site.
We will subconsciously adjust the speed of our own movement to the existing step of the steps.
So, if we carry bags from the gate to the house, then we do not need to walk here, looking at the scenery.
But if a path with the same step is installed in a picturesque garden, then we will run through it too quickly, not having time to enjoy the beauty.
Therefore, either arrange continuous paving, or equip the viewing places of your garden with benches, or other elements of relaxation where necessary.
This is what a finished garden path looks like, but it can be like this, and even like this.
Of course, you can look at other bloggers and bury piles of crushed stone, asphalt chips, extruded polystyrene foam, geogrid and much more in the ground.
You can remove tons of fertile soil, backfill and use a vibrating plate, but all this is not cheap and not easy, but rather the opposite...
I have a different approach.
And also, in the summer, grass can grow on top of the agrofibre, right in the layer of dust that settles among the crushed stone.
It is easy to pull it out while it is young, and if you get rid of the weeds around the paths, then there will be nothing to sow.
Dry autumn leaves are easily removed with a garden vacuum cleaner or a wind blower.
In winter, you should remove snow without touching the crushed stone with a shovel.
After all, when there was a wasteland in place of the path, we did not touch the soil or dry grass with a shovel, did we?
Why, with the appearance of crushed stone in this place, should we work in excavator mode?
In general, if you want paths clear of snow, then lay a heating cable under your paving in advance.
You won't have to turn it on often, which means it won't be expensive.
Thank you for your attention!