paths

[staris]

i've just about got all of my allotment dug over and i am in the process of building the last few raised beds, it's a big plot approx 100ft long and was wondering what to do with the paths.
at the moment they are just mud and it will cost to much money to have them graveled so i wondering what other people have done to keep them neat and tidy  :)

[staris]

[hippydave]

i blag old bits of carpet (no foam backed tho) and cut that into strips, the woman on the plot next to mine has a freind that works in a sandwich factory and got a load of old conveyor belting which i blue and just the right width so i have that part way down one side and on the other i use screen mats from quarries, a bit ecletic but it works for me.

[manicscousers]

when we started, we used old compost bags cut and folded out with wood chip (free if you bag it yourself ), stopped it being too slippy..then we gradually got weed control fabric and replaced it, on our last plot, we used old carpet under the flags  :)

[Levi]

Aint you posh, carpet 'under' ya flags.   ::)

[Borlotti]

I wouldn't recommend carpet and it has been banned on our Council allotment site because when the allotments are given up the Council comes and rotovates with a big machine and the carpet gets caught and breaks the machine and the Council man got very, very cross.  So all my paths had carpet down and I had to pull it all up and it was heavy, wet and hard work.  I have now put wood chip down but think that grass paths are best but do take a lot of work with mowing.  OH has a motor mower so he does the long path next to the next allotment but it is very overgrown at present as it has been too wet and lady on the next plot has had to give it up as she finds it too much as she is old and has very bad eyesight.  I will miss her as she was very knowledgable and a good friend.  When she fell (had a hip replacement) she had to call me and I had to pull her up, but she wouldn't give up.  I also had to be her eyes when she lost her keys, secateurs and even a hair grip, although I never found that.  I must admit I look with envy at some of the perfect grass paths some people have, mine are very overgrown at present.  Looking forward to spring and some warm weather.

[kt.]

I have paving going up the centre of my allotment.  Other paths are made with old hen food plastic bags as underlay, then cardboard covered with chippings.

[gwynleg]

I've done raised beds as well and have put membrane down for paths in between. I did have to pay up for this but I think its been well worth it - no weeds coming through  and has helped to stop the couch grass. I am going to do more this year - its great to be able to concentrate on the beds and not feel overwhelmed by the weeds elsewhere.

[nilly71]

Phone round your local tree surgeons, i had a large van load of chippings delivered last week for free.

Neil

[staris]

well the paths might have to stay as they are for now unless i can find a supply of free chippings, i don't think i can afford to pay for gravel or chippings at the moment, it's been fairly expensive up to now i've just forked out for a new polytunnel and i need to buy a load of netting for next year as well.
i might consider have grass on the paths in the mean time  :)

[saddad]

Your council will have a "chippings" collection, from roadside maintenance etc, they are usually only too keen to get rid of a "load".  :-\

[pigeonseed]

i've seen well-used paths made of mud and pebbles/gravel, so i tried it - using all the many pebbles dug from the ground.

but the paths weren't trodden enough, so i ended up with grass, with lots of stones in it - can't be strimmed and kept blunting the shears.

i won't do that again!