Garden paths serve both a practical and aesthetic purpose in the garden. They offer a safe and easy route to and from the house and garden and give you the opportunity to visually connect the two. Garden paths also help define outdoor space and can enhance the overall property. Stand for the material and design of a garden pathmany possibilitiesto select. From pavers to stepping stones to simple mulch, there is something to suit every budget. And the best thing is that you can create a garden path quite cheaply.
Depending on the material chosen and the topography of the garden, creating a garden path is a very simple DIY project that is suitable even for beginners and does not take much time at all. In this post we have collected some ideas for easy DIY projects that can be completed in a weekend.
Creating a garden path: General tips that guarantee success
Whether you're laying stones or spreading gravel, there are a few general tips that will help ensure the success of your garden path project.
- Line your path with spray paint or a garden hose before you start work.
- Make sure the walkway is wide enough for an adult to walk on comfortably.
- Remember to level the area so that your materials lie correctly and your garden path is safe for guests and family to walk on.
- Hard surface materials such as bricks or pavers must be laid at a slope of 2cm per meter away from your home to ensure good drainage.
- Also don't forget to place a weed barrier (e.g. weed fleece) under the path to minimize maintenance in the future.
- Even if you don't want to install lighting when you create your garden path, it's a good idea to run a power cable above the ground so you can add lights later if needed.
Create a cheap garden path: 7 easy projects for the weekend
Below we have compiled some of the best ideas for attractive and affordable garden paths. Read on to discover cheap DIY projects for the weekend.
Garden path made of gravel or chippings
Gravel is perhaps the cheapest of all and is easy to install yourself. This is partly because the loose stones are permeable and do not present drainage problems. The gravel garden path is also easy to maintain: in addition to weeding, the gravel may only need to be refilled once a year. Just make sure you have one on both sides of the pathSetting for the stonesprovide. Also note that gravel is not the best choice if the path needs to be cleared after a snowfall. It may also not be the best option for steep slopes.
Decorated concrete stepping stones
Custom concrete stepping stones are a perfect summer project for kids, but this unusual design is all grown up! All you need are commercial-grade concrete stepping stones, a stencil, and spray paint to transform an ordinary path into a rustic gem—without having to mix concrete!
Cheap walkway made from Euro pallets
A short rustic garden path couldthe next pallet DIYbe on your to-do list! Be sure to treat the boards beforehand so that they will last for years and withstand moisture and weather that could otherwise cause wood rot. Installation is really simple: you need to dig a level path and lay the pallets. You can definitely do the work in a weekend.
Create a garden path cheaply from old bricks
If you choose to use recycled bricks, you can instantly add distressed charm to your landscape and - depending on your agreement - save money on building the garden path. Don't have any old bricks on hand? Then check out your local scrap yard for used materials or simply look for specialty retailers that offer recycled bricks.
Make your own garden path quickly and inexpensively from mulch
Mulch is in for its supporting rolewell-kept garden bedsknown, but also as an inexpensive material for sidewalks, it has its own strengths. The bark mulch is a natural weed killer, so maintenance is relatively low: just add new chips every year and border the path with bedding plants or bricks to keep everything tidy.
Cheap and rustic: create a garden path out of wooden discs
When it comes to creating a rustic outdoor space, nothing beats the look of real wood. Here, cross-cut tree trunks are placed next to each other to create a walk-in work of art. This inexpensive DIY becomes even more affordable when you use storm-damaged tree branches. And the best thing about it is that it...not complicated to installis. To create an even surface, place the wood slices on the flat ground and then backfill them with soil, sweeping between pieces to fill the gaps. However, you should treat the tree slices beforehand.
DIY concrete walkway
Do you think concrete sidewalks are a thing of the past? Quite the opposite! Concrete formwork in a variety of shapes and styles can help take boring cement to new heights. In the picture above, the concrete sidewalk is disguised as classic paving stones. If you decide to do it yourself, use a template to plan and customize the garden path before you get to work.
