My favorite way to begin the day is in the garden - wandering along pathways and sidewalks that lead from one garden area to another.
At the left is the first path I laid - simple round stepping stones that meander through the shade garden. The left path is strictly utilitarian - it leads to a hose bib and has no bench or other resting place along its short length. The path to the right connects the front parking area to the back garage area - a sitting area is connected to this path so we can stop and enjoy.
The brick path below is my "free" path - when we built an open patio, these pavers were the left-overs! It leads the wanderer through the Native Garden - a large planting bed full of trees native to the Lower Rio Grande Valley.
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I laid this simple flagstone path the other day - it goes from our "professional" sideway back to the potting bench. No more mud sticking to my shoes when I go back there. I know a nice layer of mulch will take care of our mud issue (and that will happen soon) - but with the flagstones, I can wander around barefoot.
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Whatever the material, whatever the style, paths are a part of the bones of your garden. They are utilitarian, aesthetic, and entice you to wander through the plantings. Before my garden is done, I hope to have paths that wander past each and every planting bed.
2 comments:
I would love to put some paver pathways in, but my only experience (a little rectangle in front of the garden swing) was a lot harder than I anticipated.
Is going with the pros the best option? How expensive is that? Do you have good ideas for doing it yourself?
Mary Beth, i love the winding pathways! more photos of your helper and you in the garden?
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