Garden Paths


© Kirk Johnson

A garden path is always a way to get from one part of the garden to another. A path should always lead somewhere; paths which just suddenly end make the visitor feel like they are in a maze. My garden used to have some paths like this, once I extended the paths and made the paths all lead into each other, the garden started to feel like a unified experience. If you have a path which suddenly stops and which you can't extend, this will be a great spot for a piece of sculpture, a bench or a fountain so that the journey will seem worthwhile.

Every path is a journey, even if it is just a short path which you use many times a day. In fact a path which is often used needs to be more stimulating than one which is rarely used. If you rarely use a path, just the fact that you don't use it very often will stimulate your senses. A much used path is the perfect spot for scented flowers,for pots of bulbs,for annuals which are replaced by other annuals once their blooming is done. Remember that we humans are animals who evolved to hunt and gather, and to shift camp every now and then. When we aren't stimulated by the environment, we feel that something is missing. If you feel a bit guilty about spending money on annuals and tulip bulbs, tell yourself that by creating a stimulating environment, you are less likely to have an affair.

A stimulating environment can also be created by erecting a pergola over the path, the shadows cast by the posts will change as the sun goes from east to west, the length of the shadows will also change from day to day as the seasons gradually change. Trees planted along a path will have the same effect. If you are creative about the journey between the kitchen and the compost heap, chores won't be such drudgery.

When creating a path, the first consideration should always be safety. You don't want a path which is slippery when wet and you don't want any projections in the path which might cause someone to trip.

When deciding what materials to use in creating a path, there are three main considerations.
1 - The suitability of the materials.
2 - The original cost of the materials.
3 - The amount of maintenance which the material will require.

       

Go To Page: 1 2 3


The copyright of the article Garden Paths in Garden Design is owned by . Permission to republish Garden Paths in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Post this Article to facebook Add this Article to del.icio.us! Digg this Article furl this Article Add this Article to Reddit Add this Article to Technorati Add this Article to Newsvine Add this Article to Windows Live Add this Article to Yahoo Add this Article to StumbleUpon Add this Article to BlinkLists Add this Article to Spurl Add this Article to Google Add this Article to Ask Add this Article to Squidoo


Here's the follow-up discussion on this article: View all related messages

23.   Nov 17, 1998 11:44 PM
The stuff that my deck is made out of turns a very attractive shade of grey when exposed to sunlight, it doesn't need to be stained. ...

-- posted by Kirk_Johnson


22.   Nov 17, 1998 8:58 AM
I've seen this stuff - our township uses it for picnic tables and other things - and it does hold up quite well. As an edging it is not nearly as likely to deteriorate as wood in a damp climate. It do ...

-- posted by CarolWallace


21.   Nov 17, 1998 12:03 AM
It sounds like the deck outside of my bedroom, it is made out of sawdust and plastic milk jugs. It is never slippery in the rain, but it doesn't have the strength of wood, it needs lots of support as ...

-- posted by Kirk_Johnson


20.   Nov 16, 1998 5:20 PM
It's recycling wood leftovers and a plastic or resin product into something that looks like wood but won't rot, or so i hear. I think i saw it at the lumber yard in the section on building decks. I ...

-- posted by HollyT


19.   Nov 16, 1998 12:05 AM
I am not familiar with an inexpensive new sort of wood edging. Is it supposed to last longer than bender board?

-- posted by Kirk_Johnson





For a complete listing of article comments, questions, and other discussions related to Kirk Johnson's Garden Design topic, please visit the Discussions page.