Topic: Ideas how to make a path

[Robert_Brenchley]

Are you sure it's hardwearing? How much wear does it get underneath a sofa?

[supersprout]

Thank you Robert, you're right - I do find myself edging around the broccoli so as not to tread on the broadies in the next bed.
You've encouraged me to go ahead and make the paths a little wider (2 ft) which would make the beds 3 ft wide. Not much of a loss, cos the beds can be planted so intensively - and I'll be able to reach the middles so much better than with the 4 footers.
For me, this is one of the benefits of not making permanent paths or bed edges - if you want to make changes or experiment, it's easy to do without major building works.
Only problem will be administering brandy to lottie neighbours swooning at the 'waste of growing space'  ;D

[bupster]

Robert, hessian (or jute) is also used for things like bags and sacks, which is why I'm guessing it's hardwearing. Didn't mean to give the impression that all the furniture in my house is upside-down  :D. If I can find any locally, rather than mail order, I'll get me a strip and try it out. It looks natural too  :)

[John_H]

I use anything which can be lifted up easily (mostly carpet) with a few rotting plants underneath. This way I can tempt slugs off the beds and kill them every week when I peel the carpet back.

[Scufftastic]

On my plot, I've gone for weed suppressing fabric covered by wood chippings.  However, the weeds have now starting growing in the chippings.  They're only little annuals, but still unsightly!  Am I just unlucky when it comes to weeds, or has anyone else found this?

[derbex]

Since I've just spent the morning digging out creepimg buttercup and couch, I've decided my grass paths will have to go. Off to the turf stack with them.

Carboard doesn't really work too well -I've tried it.

I'm used the pruning from the leylandii in some places -certainly ok over winter.

I'm not sure what to use on the paths I create -bare earth turns to plasticene here -although it does tend to stay bare and can be hoe-d. Do bark chips work ok -I'd have though that you got a nice growing medium after a few years?

Jeremy

[supersprout]

I'm going to try a thick layer of HAY over all the paths this year

Whoops, I meant STRAW. Hay will just grow a lovely crop of weeds!  :-[

[Robert_Brenchley]

I may be wrong but I don't think the hessian used under furniture is the same quality material as the stuff used for sacking. From what I remember, it's a much looser weave, and tears fairly easily. It may be worth a try though.

[jennym]

To my mind, things like hessian and bark chippings have one big disadvantage - they cost money! Maybe I'm just tight, but somehow, it's so satisfying to build paths etc for free  ;D
Me, I'm going to be out on the hunt for more discarded slabs in the spring...

[bupster]

I have no transport bar a bicycle, so I'm stuck with stuff that's luggable in a rucksack. What I'm thinking of I suppose is something that's biodegradable, lightweight, reasonably hardwearing, cheap, looks good, won't harm wildlife, and will make me a cup of tea in the morning :)

[Zippy Seale]

Maybe I'm just tight, but somehow, it's so satisfying to build paths etc for free  ;D
Me, I'm going to be out on the hunt for more discarded slabs in the spring...

alot of local authories are now shredding thier road side hedge trimmings and offer this to allotment holders.  ours deliver a very large tipper load every 6 months.  and though it has been there all summer.  suddenly the pile disappeared in the last 4 weeks.  the mud paths to sticky maybe....lol

[busy_lizzie]

My paths are wooden edged with weed supressing fabric and the bark shreddings on top that are free from the Council.  Have to say when any weeds start showing through I just put more  shreddings on top.  We had loads of grass on our plot including  as paths but  we are gradually digging them out, especially as ours were  couch grass. busy_lizzie   

[Larkspur]

I have been puzzling over the same problem of how to create durable paths and it has only just occured to me that I have access to loads of coal fire ash and cinders which is exactly what used to be used many years ago. They need edging as they are not good for the soil but if you have enough of them you can just keep putting them on layer upon layer and eventually you end up with a solid weed free path. :)

[supersprout]

Now that's what I CALL an idea Larkspur, will def. experiment with cinders (possibly near the pumpkin patch? ::))

[Larkspur]

Supersprout, the only problem that I can see is that you need a good and constant supply. I can get mine from a coal fired steam engine in a museum. Cheers.

[Robert_Brenchley]

We used to use them in Cornwall. They make a really good path but you do have to keep adding the stuff.

[EmmaLou]

At the moment my paths are couchgrass. Not really sure how to deal with this? Should I edge my beds with planks, but how deep would these have to go to stop the couchgrass invading the beds? Or should I get rid of the grass and use something else? Hmm - just adds to the long list of jobs I need to do on my lottie!

[Robert_Brenchley]

Get rid of the couch and use something else; resow if you want grass paths. It's not worth keeping it, as if you do you'll have trouble with the stuff invading your beds for evermore.

[campanula]

i use wood chippings nice and thick but you do need to have some boundary such as raised beds. the chippings eventually rot away but they are free to keep topping them up. grass - a nightmare and i hugely resent spending time on paths instead of beds.