Do you have walking paths in your garden? Help me!!!

[littlelemon]

My garden is rather large, and I have it divided in long rows with walking paths between each row. I like the way I have it set up. The problem I have with it, is it is UGLY. I use cardboard to line the paths and it just looks trashy. I have to use rocks and planting poles to hold it down so it doesn't blow away, and it often curls up at the ends. Because of the cardboard I do not have to worry about weeding in the paths, and I can plop down to weed anywhere without sitting in the dirt, but it looks so awful! I see pictures of beautiful gardens with mulched paths, but the amount of mulch I would need to use to prohibit weed growth would be really expensive. Also, wouldn't the mulch end up creeping over into the plants? I really don't want a garden full of mulch- I love the soil I have in the garden now and I don't want mulch or straw getting mixed in because of the paths.


Right now the cardboard is level with the garden soil. I have thought about digging down a couple of inches so that the paths are a little lower than the garden rows, and then putting the cardboard down and covering it with some mulch or straw. The cardboard underneath would prohibit the weed growth, and the mulch or straw would look nice. I don't know. It would be a lot of work. Can you please all share with me what you do. Pictures would be fantastic if you have them!

 

[digitS']

Amy, you sound a little like me ~ trying to be functional to the point where you realize that you are denying yourself the charm of a garden.

First of all, I'd need a semi-load of mulch to make much of a difference in my gardens. Oh, I've put down quite a bit of wood chips amongst the perennials but that's about it.

I think you are on the right, uh, path! Moving several inches of soil from the paths and tossing it on the beds will go a long way towards improving the growing environment for your plants. They will also discourage weeds since the paths will now have more shade.

Mulch in a path like this is not inclined to migrate into your growing beds. Whether you cover it with mulch or beat it down to a concrete state, which I can do - permanent paths are a good idea.

One way I've found to add to garden charm with paths is to divide the garden into kind of zones. One area may get more shade than other areas. Make that a single bed. Other beds can run at different angles from the "shady bed" ~ it is a different zone and can be treated differently, off by itself.

Functionally, only a few paths have to accommodate wheelbarrows and rototillers. I have my arterials and my residential streets . I'm looking at the possibility of putting in some boulevards . . .

Steve

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

I have raised beds, so not exactly your setup, but I use wood chips, straw, or leaves between my beds. I like those because they help keep the grass/weeds down, but I still get grass that grows up at the edge of the bed. It's a constant battle that I'm not very good at winning.

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

Steve, loved your post ... would enjoy seeing a photo, or sketch of your "garden town"

 

[wsmoak]

I have a half dozen permanent raised beds, and everything else is here and there. I "weed" with the mini tiller. It chews up the top inch or so and keeps the grass from taking over. I can get right up next to the beds with it.

I tried cardboard last year and didn't like it. It was ugly, and the lizards constantly scared me by skittering across it (I was worried about less friendly creatures hiding out underneath it.) It also didn't really stop the bermuda grass.

We make our own wood chips so I'll probably put some of those down, and they'll get tilled in over time, eventually to be tossed into the beds once it's broken down. So I sort of use the paths to compost the wood chips, and it all works out.

-Wendy

 

[nittygrittydirtdigger]

While not a perfect solution, it seems like dark green or black trash bags placed over the cardboard would look a little better. They are very cheap at the dollar stores.

 

[stepstephens2]

Ok, so I've gone a little path crazy... but maybe what I've done will give you some ideas. My husband and I were talking about this yesterday. Paths may not be the most economical way to plan out your garden, but nothing beats being able to walk around on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and enjoy looking at everything. It's like a stroll in your own personal vegetable park! I used old rocks, bricks, and lumber to outline the patches. Once we ran out of what we had laying around, we started to check craigslist under "free" and have not needed to buy any additions since. I bought weed block fabric ($20) and laid it out and tucked it under the rocks, etc... then we got a truck load of walk on bark from a garden supply place (about $70) and spread it out on top. We started this project last year and added on this year. Everything held up really well over winter. We place black plastic over the plots and then pulled them up in spring. I hope this helps with some ideas...

 

[jojo54]

Ok, so I've gone a little path crazy... but maybe what I've done will give you some ideas. My husband and I were talking about this yesterday. Paths may not be the most economical way to plan out your garden, but nothing beats being able to walk around on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and enjoy looking at everything. It's like a stroll in your own personal vegetable park! I used old rocks, bricks, and lumber to outline the patches. Once we ran out of what we had laying around, we started to check craigslist under "free" and have not needed to buy any additions since. I bought weed block fabric ($20) and laid it out and tucked it under the rocks, etc... then we got a truck load of walk on bark from a garden supply place (about $70) and spread it out on top. We started this project last year and added on this year. Everything held up really well over winter. We place black plastic over the plots and then pulled them up in spring. I hope this helps with some ideas...
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_031.jpg

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_036.jpg

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_035.jpg

You garden looks lovely! I like the different shaped beds. The paths are great! Thanks for sharing!

 

[SweetMissDaisy]

Gorgeous, Stephanie!!

 

[thistlebloom]

Ok, so I've gone a little path crazy... but maybe what I've done will give you some ideas. My husband and I were talking about this yesterday. Paths may not be the most economical way to plan out your garden, but nothing beats being able to walk around on a Sunday morning with a cup of coffee and enjoy looking at everything. It's like a stroll in your own personal vegetable park! I used old rocks, bricks, and lumber to outline the patches. Once we ran out of what we had laying around, we started to check craigslist under "free" and have not needed to buy any additions since. I bought weed block fabric ($20) and laid it out and tucked it under the rocks, etc... then we got a truck load of walk on bark from a garden supply place (about $70) and spread it out on top. We started this project last year and added on this year. Everything held up really well over winter. We place black plastic over the plots and then pulled them up in spring. I hope this helps with some ideas...
http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_031.jpg

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_036.jpg

http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/8005_035.jpg

What a nice garden you have Steph! Looks like it's a pleasant place to work.