Paths

[Easywriter]

Hi everyone

The debate on my lottie site moves on from manure to paths between each plot. Grass seems to be the prescribed solution from the Parish Council, but I can't say I'd be keen on this myself. Grass grows (and so would have to be kept mown) and spreads. I think flagstones of some kind would be best - but these may not be available in 2 ft widths, or would have to be cut to size somehow (and then there's the cost).

I'd be in favour of stone chippings of some kind as the best compromise solution (or bark, but that would probably be blown/washed away in winter weather).

What do you guys do?

[Easywriter]

[shirlton]

Tony likes to dig through his paths now and again so I just put straw down in between the beds cos I don't like looking at bare soil. He don't like bark chippings either.(fussy B****r)

[Digeroo]

We have grass between plots.  Spreading is not too much of an issue but it is becoming covered in weeds particularly dandelions and clover.  It is mown as part of the deal, occassionally a plant near the edge gets damaged.  It does look quite nice especially when just mown.

[Unwashed]

Grass paths between plots.  It doesn't seem to spread.  I does need cutting, but hasn't needed it for a ouple of months because of the drought.  Not everyone keeps their cut well though as it takes a mower/strimmer and that's a lot of faf.

Can't you do what you want?

[manicscousers]

3x 2' flags but we were lucky, one of the allotment holders used to work for the council, when they started ripping up flags to tarmac footpaths, he had a word and we got 200 of them  ;D

[1066]

If you put chippings or bark down, the paths will still need maintenance, and weeds will emerge anyway, so I'd opt for the grass path option, not really that much maintenance involved, and cheap

[lewic]

Stone chippings might look nice for a while but would stick to muddy boots and get trodden everywhere.  At least bark is biodegradable so it doesnt matter if it ends up in the soil.

Flagstones would keep the mud down but check they arent slippery when wet.

[lincsyokel2]

Stone chippings might look nice for a while but would stick to muddy boots and get trodden everywhere.  At least bark is biodegradable so it doesnt matter if it ends up in the soil.

Flagstones would keep the mud down but check they arent slippery when wet.

yes but as you say, bark biodegrades, so every year two or three needs renewing, an ongoing cost.

[elvis2003]

we use free wopodchip from a local tree surgeon,only needs topping up once a year and is non slippy. dont walk on it in bare feet though,ouch!

[lincsyokel2]

wopod chip

:o

Quickly googles 'wopod'

8) lol

[lilyjean]

We have grass.....its in our clause for each tenant to be responsible for maintenance; mowing, strimming, cutting. When its tidy I personally think it makes the allotment look neat and natural   :) That way it helps people to work together; an allotment community.......  :)

[elvis2003]

wopod chip

:o

Quickly googles 'wopod'

8) lol

HA HA HA HA  ;D

[Jeannine]

Flag stones are my choice. expensive but often freebies if you watch freecyle, We had three paths on our lotties as we had two plots, we had flags round two of them  and then the man to the left off us used them too, but the man at the other side didn't want flags he preferred grass which we had to respect, problem was, he wouldn't do any maintenance on it because I didn't and wouldn't even allow it be levelled and re grassed. I wasn't able to walk on it as it was bumpy and uneven and I fell ,but  I was happy to provide the flags to prevent the maintenance. He said no, so the path became a real mess, I simply didn't use it, I always walked on the other sides which was safer for me, eventually the committee became involved and he was told to clean it up, it was explained to him that I had the flags down because I was unsteady on a grass path that was unlevel, his argument was that he liked it natural and was not interested in a pristine level surface and he would clip it if I did too..it went on for months. Then quite suddenly he left, by this time the whole plot was full of weeds and you couldn't see the path.The next person who came in promptly cleared the path and the plot and put flags down.

I have soil paths where I am now with weedblock and wood chips on, this is OK in the dry weather as quite impacted but I am nervous about it getting a problem in the wet.

I love the grass ones to look at but for me they were not serviceable.

XX Jeannine

[lincsyokel2]

wopod chip

:o

Quickly googles 'wopod'

8) lol

HA HA HA HA  ;D

LOL theres two people on Facebook, called  'Suzy Wopod' and 'Taylor Wopod'

:o