Pathway Help Needed

[SQWIB]

First let me show you what I am up against then I'll post my questions.

This is one part of the yard that I have never been happy with, the garden path to the playhouse.
This path also has a secondary function. During heavier rains the water runs down this path to the yard drain, so putting down a mulch or wood chips is out. I definitely want to work on this project early spring.

I thought of a crushed stone but dont want it to get all over the yard and fight stuff growing up through the crushed stone and walking stones, plus I want to keep it more Permaculture friendly.

I tried white clover but it did not do well.
I was very interested in a extremely low ground cover like moss but not sure if moss would do good in this area.
The area gets a lot of water and and sun from early noon till end of day.
The dogs may occasionally pee on it too...dam dogs
I am in Zone 7a

It doesn't need to be an edible or flowering but those would definitely be bonuses, especially if it flowered.

I like this look

I checked out Steppables.com but want advice from you folks.



Steppables

 

[Gail_68]

Hi SQWIB i'm new like yourself and this picture looks lovely how it's done...our garden is slabbed in two different colours done by my hubby and worked out better for we in the 10yrs we've been here.

 

[marlingardener]

With that much sun, moss isn't going to survive. May I suggest Horse Herb (Calyptocarpus vialis)? Here is a site that explains and describes Horse Herb. http://www.plantanswers.com/Articles/HorseherbOrStragglerDaisy.asp
We have it under a very large Ashe Juniper, and it covers the ground well and that is one area we don't have to mow!

 

[Gail_68]

@SQWIB why not get some large coloured stepping slates and alternate them in size and add coloured pea gravel if it's just for that area

 

[Upsy Daisy]

You say it gets a lot of water @SQWIB but does it drain well or stay soggy?
Chamomile is lovely and loves sun but needs a well draining area.


https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=chamomile+lawn&qpvt=chamomile+lawn&FORM=IGRE

 

[alp]

I would suggest something called Goggin?? Some aggregrate which will let the water drain and yet keep the path safe and dry. It's yellow in colour, you can plant something creepy yellow or white to soften the edges. I have seen very understated planting of green on white which is creepy plant going into the white slab. Just two colours but very minimal and sophisticated. I myself am allergic to chamomile as they self seeded everywhere! If you have bigger slabs, mind your own business can look very good. But if they wander and want to mind others' businesses, don't blame me! LOL!

Or something like this, but bigger slabs look more impressive and bold and much better than mousy little rock fragments

 

[Gail_68]

Chamomile is lovely and loves sun but needs a well draining area.

That does look nice like a plush lawn

 

[Gail_68]

alp this is something that up my street...very nice

 

[alp]

Have you seen Garden Rescue, @Gail_68 ? The Rich brothers used different texture to make the path area. Their finish is not that great, but full of ideas and imagination.

 

[DrCase]

I checked out Steppables.com but want advice from you folks.



Steppables[/QUOTE]

I’m in the same zone steppables grow too fast , they will cover the rocks fast

 

[Gail_68]

Their finish is not that great

I've seen them twice and like you say not a great finish but for two young chaps they're giving people out looks to how their gardens are possible plus I watch Alan tichmarsh over my spec's while reading

 

[Gail_68]

@DrCase why not venture down this root which alp mentioned as I think it would look ideal.

 

[Gail_68]

I've just been looking myself at drainage pathways and you can beat gravel with slabs and if you wanted to make extra sure you good always add drainage grids along the edging in black.

 

[alp]

Think you need hoggin - an aggregate which allows water to drain and yet provides a compact walking surface.

Hoggin is a compactable groundcover that is composed of a mixture of clay, gravel, and sand or granite dust that produces a buff-coloured bound surface. It is more commonly seen in the south of England and at National Trust properties. ... The larger rocks provide a firm base for the hoggin, and improved drainage.

BBC - Gardening - Gardening Guides - Techniques - Build a hoggin path

www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/basics/techniques/gardenstructure_hogginpath1.shtml
Construct an attractive and hard-wearing hoggin path using our step-by-step guide. ... Hoggin is a a mix of gravel, sand and clay that binds firmly when compacted, yet allows water to drain through it. ... Flexible metal edging for paths can be bought in various builders merchants and ...

 

[Gail_68]

alp I bet this is the stuff used for country homes because of the lands they was build on besides the grounds.

 

[alp]

Lovely day and the sun is shining. A path like this should solve the problem.

 

[SQWIB]

You say it gets a lot of water @SQWIB but does it drain well or stay soggy?
Chamomile is lovely and loves sun but needs a well draining area.

https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=chamomile+lawn&qpvt=chamomile+lawn&FORM=IGRE

It's a hard clay do water runs right over it with average to minimal ground absorption.

 

[alp]

Hard clay - you will have a perpetual pond and be very careful after prolonged rain as the surface will be very slippery. You could work in a lot of grit. Wish I could give you some. I have some. If you want slabs, bigger ones like nicer and neater rather than peasy size of fragments.

 

[Mockingbird]

Hi SQWIB- I feel your dilemma here- I have a similar situation outside my back door and this is what I decided to due (I am in NY with clay soil and drainage issue form snow) I laid down landscape fabric and covered it with pea gravel not expensive at all- and picked up some large pallets that were for free and bolted them together to make a small platform. Took a piece or board and stapled indoor out door remnant from my porch and I have a deck for potted plants and to step out on I hold the pea gravel in with large stones and pots. Honestly the hardest part was getting someone to help me get the pallets home.

You seems to have enough room you could run one down the front of the shed. Maybe set a few garden chairs or a display of some sort, You might want to check with local code- mine was okay as long as I flip the pallets up over winter which is fine its not heavy and I had to run an aluminum guard between the house wall and back of the pallet to deter rodents which was not a hard thing. Bought a roll from Home depot

 

[Upsy Daisy]

Sounds good @Mockingbird .....perhaps you could post a pic please