One of the most important elements in the garden is the garden path. It is not only used to cross the garden without ruining the lawn or flowers or to avoid getting your shoes dirty after rain. It also provides a certain structure to the garden design and divides the outdoor area into different areas by forming beds. For this reason, it is important that you also find a suitable oneCreate a garden pathor even several.
Creating a garden path for garden design
But that is undoubtedly easier said than done. Aside from the fact that the decision is often difficult because there are many different design options, implementation is also often a big question. Should you hire someone who can help you?Garden path designedor can you just try it yourself? We have put together some instructions and ideas that you can use to create a decorative path yourself.
Paving
If you want to lay paving stones, you can create a neat garden path that looks extremely attractive. You can use a simple calculation to determine how much sand or gravel you need for the substructure. For this purpose, there are practical converters on the Internet that you can use. Before you choose the width, lay out a few stones as a test to choose a width where you have to cut as few stones as possible. Also take the curbs into consideration.
– To get a straight edge, stretch a string from one end to the other. Additionally, you can mark the soil with paint spray or chalk.
– Dig up the path. Remove stones, plants and weeds. The depth should be approx. 15 cm. The earth's surface should also have a slight slope towards the outside. In this way you promote the drainage of rainwater.
– Lay out weed fleece. This should be a little wider than the path so that it can be folded up on the sides.
– Fill the path with five centimeters of gravel and tamp everything down.
– There are special plastic borders for paved paths. Fasten this with large nails.
– Next is a layer of coarse sand. The best way to distribute this is with a rake.
– With the help of a simple board whose length corresponds to the width of the path. Drag it along the path to smooth and level the sand. You can easily remove the excess sand that builds up.
– Start in one of the corners. Pave the pavers close together and use a rubber mallet to pound the stones into the sand. Check the level every meter with a spirit level to make sure all the stones are the same height. The joints should also be evenly distributed.
– Since cutting some stones is unavoidable when paving to achieve a straight edge, you should also equip yourself with a stone saw.
– Finally, the joints have to be filled. Use fine sand for this. Sprinkle it liberally on the sidewalk and spread it with a broom.
Garden path with lava stone grit instead of lawn
Here you can see a before and after picture of a garden design with paths. The original concrete slabs were reused. If you want to have such a path, you can also buy new concrete slabs if you don't have them. The additional design with flowers and solar lamps that illuminate the path at night is particularly pretty.
Dig up the path
First the grass must be removed. Use a shovel to dig out a sufficiently wide strip. This depends on the length of the panels. There should be enough space around it to distribute the lava stone.
Lava grit or other decorative gravel
Instead of lava stone, you can also use any other type of decorative gravel. Don't buy too much material so that you don't end up with too much left over. After all, you can buy more at any time. Of course, you can also decorate various beds in the garden with leftover gravel.
Design garden paths
Sand can then be spread to better fix the concrete slabs and allow them to be embedded in the ground. Of course, the plates can also be placed directly on the ground. It is important that you always choose an equal distance between the concrete slabs to create symmetry. Once you have laid the stepping stones, you can stick the solar lamps into the ground and, if desired, plant flowers and lastlyCreate a step to the garden pathexceed.
Add decorative gravel or chippings
All that's missing is the gravel. Distribute this between the joints and in the edges. The lamps and flowers are also enclosed. If you create such a garden path, you will undoubtedly receive an attractive decoration. The red lava stones contrast perfectly with the green lawn and thus combine the practical with the decorative.
Garden paths with natural stone
The advantage of such natural stone slabs is that you can more easily create a curved garden path. If you would like to create garden paths without concrete, this variant is just as suitable. Here, too, you have to dig again. This is usually the most strenuous and time-consuming part of the work. This is also the part where you determine and prepare the shape and windings of the path.
Laying stone
The next step follows the principle of a puzzle. With a suitable saw or by hammer and chisel you can get the desired shape, size and a straight edge. You can fill larger gaps with small pieces of natural stone. Gradually work your way from one end to the other.
Fill in joints
If you are satisfied with the arrangement, move on to designing the joints. To create a flat surface, fill it with soil until it is level with the stones. Now you can leave the joints as they are. The path looks even more attractive and natural if you sow grass in the joints. But you can also plant various ground cover plants. Find out which ground cover plants are suitable for this purposehere.
Concrete garden path
Of course, you can also concrete a garden path. When you design a path like this, sand is unnecessary. To ensure that the project ends successfully, the supports you build are particularly important. Concrete is a very heavy material, especially when it is still wet and mobile. 3.8 cm thick boards were used for this path. The path should be 5 cm thick. Since you want a curved path, narrow, flexible fiberboard panels are best. The support posts also need to be spaced closer together to make the boards more stable. Use a distance of no less than one meter and cut off the excess parts. In addition to this, you can also add diagonal supports.
stomp the ground
A solid base is very important for the concrete. A vibration plate is perfect for this. You can rent such a machine. To ensure that concrete does not crack over time, suitable drainage must also be created. Gravel often serves as a base for the concrete. It's best to ask for the right material at a hardware store. If you have sandy soil in your garden, additional drainage may sometimes be unnecessary. A wire mesh can also be incorporated as an option. This is placed on the ground or drainage before the concrete is poured. Since air bubbles can appear when pouring the concrete, you should use a simple trick to get rid of them. Use a wooden stake to tamp the still liquid concrete. Finally, tap along the wooden plank support with a hammer. This prevents concrete cracks and a holey surface. The correct consistency of the concrete also plays an important role. Too much water is not a good idea. For example, test the concrete with a piece of hose that you stick into the concrete. If it roughly retains the shape of the tube, the consistency is good. If necessary, dry concrete or water can be added.
Smooth concrete
The thick concrete does not become smooth enough on its own. That's why you have to help and smooth the surface. It is an advantage if you ask someone for help. If you pour all the way, the concrete may have become too solid at the beginning of the path by the time you're done. Instead, someone can take over this work while you continue pouring concrete or vice versa. Cracks can also be avoided using false joints. These are added to a walkway at a distance of approx. 1.5 meters and either while the concrete is still wet or the day after the concrete has been poured. A cutting depth of 2.5 cm should be sufficient.
The next step is the visual design. You can use a broom to create a rough surface that makes the sidewalk less slippery and eliminates unevenness. The sooner you start, the rougher the road will be. It's best to go over the concrete with the broom for the first time after 15 minutes and always in one and the same direction. The broom should be rinsed every now and then.
Since concrete will crack if it dries too quickly, this process needs to be slowed down. To do this, you can cover the path with a film once the surface is hard enough so that you can no longer create a fingerprint. Place weights on the outer edges of the sheeting and moisten the concrete in case you notice it is drying too quickly. If the film causes stains and the color changes, you don't need to worry about it. These disappear after one to two months.
Gravel and sandstone slabs
Sandstone has a pleasant look that perfectly enhances any garden. If you want to create this impressive garden path, get sandstone slabs that are at least 2 cm thick. Thinner plates break more quickly. You should also get 10 percent more stones than you calculated in case some break.
– You can get the desired shape of each stone slab by drilling several holes next to each other in the stone and then knocking off the excess piece with a hammer and chisel.
– Use a spade to dig up the soil in the garden. How deep you create the garden path depends on the thickness of the stones.
– Form the edge with a plastic border to create a visually attractive finish and frame.
– Lay weed control fabric along the entire natural stone garden path. This prevents weeds from growing between the stones at some point. Then spread sand on top with a thickness of approx. 2.5 cm. It is best to use a rake for this purpose.
– Now you can lay the natural stone. Leave a gap of no more than 5 cm between all stones. This will be the joint. Also, make sure you always place the prettier side of each stone slab up.
– Then fill the joints with any gravel. We recommend stones with a diameter of no more than 2.5 cm so that the joints can be well filled.
Create garden paths made of gravel
If you want to create a garden path that is inexpensive, then the gravel path is the perfect choice. Shape and width can be individually determined. It is important that you create an edge so that the gravel is held together.
– First dig the path into the garden. Depending on your preference, choose a depth of 5 to 10 cm.
– Next you should place curbs. Use river rocks or other types of natural stone.
– With this route you will also need a weed fleece. This should be a few centimeters wider than the path.
– Pin the foil between and under the river stones and fill the path with the selected gravel.
Another gravel path
Gravel paths don't require digging as deep as most other types of paths. If you have decided on a garden path made of gravel, you can also use these instructions. Mark the shape and width of the path. For this you can use wooden stakes, a spray or simply a rope. A width of 90 to 120 cm is usually chosen, but this depends on your taste and use. The depth should be approximately 10 cm, which you can finally check with a tape measure. A square shovel works best for this purpose.
Lay out weed fleece
You can then use a rake to spread the soil evenly, then tamp it down nicely so that a solid base is created. Then add a six centimeter thick layer of gravel and repeat the steps with the rake and, after lightly moistening, with the tamping. Next, lay down weed control when designing the garden path. The best way to cover curved areas is to cut the fleece inside the curve and overlap it in the area of the cut. Spread the fleece normally on the outer area of the curve. You can also fix it with the help of nails or pins.
You can also fix the fleece with the path border, which is inserted into the ground. The best way to do this is to tap them into the ground with a hammer, placing a piece of wood between the hammer and the edging. To ensure that it does not shift when filling, you should fasten both sides of the edging together with wooden beams. To do this, cut the beam in the necessary places and on both sides. Space them 90cm apart.
Insert the edging straight
When hammering in the path border, you should make sure that it is straight and that you do not accidentally hit the ground at an angle. The piece of wood protects the protective layer of the steel from being damaged, which leads to rusting. So that you can finish creating the garden path, all you have to do now is fill the gravel into the pit. Distribute this well again with the rake until no more weed fleece can be seen.
Pave a garden path
This garden path is particularly suitable for a house and garden with a traditional style. Be sure to choose pavers that are weather-resistant and can withstand a very cold winter. Since the surface, as always, plays an important role, you should also treat it seriously.
First of all, determine the desired width of the path. Add another 5 cm to the number of centimeters, then mark the path (e.g. again with a rope). Use a spade to dig deep until the color of the soil changes. It is best to collect the excavated soil on a tarpaulin so as not to ruin the lawn around it.
You can use gravel as a base. Spread it evenly to form a 1- to 2-inch layer. Moisten the gravel and then tamp it firmly.
Add sand
This is followed by another layer of gravel. Fill enough to reach a height of approx. 9 cm and tamp again. This is followed by the sand layer. This should be 5 cm. The best way to smooth out the sand, as shown, is to use a board that you cut in according to the width of the path and gradually pull it backwards along self-made supports. Add more sand if necessary and remove the excess when you get to the end of the path. Now start laying the paving stones along the supports so that you have your own path.
Sweep for the joints
You can also tap the paving stones into the sand with a rubber mallet. Make sure that all stones are the same height. The best way to check this is to use a spirit level. Finally, sprinkle enough sand on the finished paved walkway and use a broom to fill the joints of the new garden path.
