1. Using pavers
When choosing pavers, they
need to be big enough so that stepping from one to another feels natural. They
should never wobble. They need to lie flat so that water doesn't stand on them,
and the ground beneath them should be graded correctly so that water is quickly
flushed away.
Placing the Pavers
1. Finish
grading the area for the pathway garden.
2. Place each paver on the path, making sure to
leave a comfortable stepping distance in between. Next, using each paver as a
pattern, use the shovel to make indentations marking the outline of each one.
3. One by one, remove the pavers, digging out the
pre-marked cavities. To allow each paver to sit about 1 1/2 to 2 inches above
the grade, the cavities are only dug between an 1 and 1 1/2 inches deep. This
will help offset any erosion that might occur on the slope. A minimum of six
inches is left between pavers to allow for plants.
4. After tamping the dirt in each cavity (figure
A), lines each one with a layer of sand to facilitate leveling and to
provide more stability than the plain dirt. This helps ensure the pavers won't
tip under footsteps.
Expert
Tip: Apply some base material and
create a "laying bed" using a one-inch layer of washed concrete sand.
Then simply lay the pavers in the pattern you've designed for your job.
5. Once
each paver is laid in place (figure B), it's adjusted until it's
completely level.
Note: When properly installed, concrete pavers require
very little maintnenance.
2. Using Stepping
Stones
A common problem with
steppingstones, however, is a slight -- or not so slight -- tilt to one side
when someone steps on them (figure A). Though a seemingly minor problem,
this could possibly lead to a twisted ankle or worse if someone lost his
balance as a result of the instability.
(figure A)
Fortunately, proper
installation will prevent this problem, and it's an easy process. Just follow
the simple steps outlined below.
Materials:
Concrete
pavers in the desired shape and color (enough to space evenly along the
designated path)
Edging tool or small spade
Shovel
Sand (playground sand works well for this project)
Decorative gravel (optional)
First, you'll want to select a style of paver that
complements your house and landscape. Check out the
variety available at your local home-improvement
centers and landscape-supply companies.
Once you've made your choice and brought the pavers
home, lay them along the area of the pathway.
To determine a comfortable distance between stones,
walk back and forth on the stones several times
(figure B), repositioning them as necessary.
(figure B).
Next, use an edging tool, as
shown in (figure C), or a small spade to mark an outline around each
paver (figure D). Press the outline into the dirt so that it's about
1-1/2" deep. Once you've outlined each paver, lift it out of place and dig
out the marked area with a shovel (figure E). Replace the stone and make
sure it's level in the space. (If not, use the shovel to further level out the
bottom until the stone lies flat).
(figure C)
(figure D)
Once you've outlined each
paver, lift it out of place and dig out the marked area with a shovel (figure
E). Replace the stone and make sure it's level in the space. (If not, use
the shovel to further level out the bottom until the stone lies flat.)
(figure E)
Now remove the paver once more
and line the bottom of each space with sand (figure F), pouring in just
enough to further level the dirt bottom.
(figure F)
Set the stone back in the
space and stand on it to check it for stability (figure G). Continue
until all pavers are level.
(figure G)
To further define and enhance
the path, lay landscape timbers along the sides of the pathway once the pavers
are in place. Then fill in between with decorative gravel or crushed granite (figure
H), working around each stone.
(figure H)
To keep the gravel level with
the surface of the pavers, you'll need to dig out the surrounding area to the
same depth as the pavers themselves.
3. Using Plants in
your Pathway
How to create a garden path
or update an existing one.
Even a new path can look as
though it's always been there.
Break concrete patio blocks
by placing each one on a 1" by 1" board.
Cover the block with a folded
towel or thick cloth so that you don't shatter the concrete when you strike it.
With a hammer, give the covered
block a smart blow. It should break into several uneven pieces.
Concrete will shatter unless
covered by a cloth.
Create a path from the broken
pieces.
Fit the broken pieces
together as you would puzzle pieces.
Now you can begin choosing
plants. Creeping thyme (Thymus praecox subsp. arcticus ) is a
good choice for this project. It will withstand some foot traffic and gives off
a lovely fragrance when crushed. Creeping thyme requires full sun or partial
shade and less water. Any creeping herb or low growing plant will also work
well.
Before planting, soak plants
well so that the roots are wet.
Bend a 6" piece of
florist wire in half like a hairpin. After shaking the excess soil from the
roots, place each plant in a crack between the concrete steppingstones,
anchoring it with the bent wire. Reserve the excess soil.
Place the reserved soil
around the roots.
You can easily move the
concrete to put the plants
Once the plants are where you
want them, gently squeeze the concrete back together.
Tuck sheet moss (available at
a craft store) into the cracks to give the path a natural look.
Maintenance is as easy as
occasionally hosing off the sidewalk.
Once you're finished laying
out the steppingstones and planting, pour potting soil over the pathway, and
sweep it into the cracks. This will fill any voids and provide plenty of
growing medium for your plants.
You can use round stones or
decorative pavers between the broken concrete pieces.
