Content
Paths in the garden connect all parts of the summer cottage, it is convenient and comfortable to move along them. The territory of the garden plot takes on a well-groomed look. The garden paths are washed away by rain and melt water, and covered with vegetation. Nobody wants to move around their summer cottage in rubber boots. A dirt path is most often a temporary option. Most gardeners decide how to make the paths permanent in the country, what kind of coating to use without spending a lot of money, and so that the paths last as long as possible.
Types of garden paths
Depending on what kind of coating is used, there are types of garden paths:
Stone
Natural a rock, due to its naturalness and naturalness, will fit into any design of the country landscape. Garden paths made of stone are particularly durable and durable. They do not collapse, are resistant to climatic influences, do not slip, and puddles do not form on them. The surface of the stone does not fade in the sun. To create a stone covering, flagstone is used - different rocks (limestone, shale, sandstone), divided into slabs up to 3 cm thick. Manufacturers offer flagstone with raw edges, smoothed edges and ready-made paving slabs for the design of garden plots. The only drawback of the stone garden path is the high price for the source material and its delivery.
Wooden
Garden paths made of wood are affordable, provided there are forests in your area. Wood is a natural and environmentally friendly material. Not as durable as stone. If properly treated and protected from moisture, the wood surface will last for many years. There are tree species - larch and oak, which are resistant to decay without additional processing. Since ancient times, wood has been used for the construction of pavements. Nowadays, sidewalks made of wood can be found in remote cities.
Rubber
Rubber tracks for summer cottages are made of modern materials and meet all operational requirements. They have a rough surface, do not slip, water does not accumulate on the surface, since the coating has a porous structure. The rubber sheet is not interesting to rodents, weeds and plants do not germinate through the coating. Climatic conditions are tolerated without negative impact. It is made from rubber crumb, which is combined with a polymer compound that is harmless to humans and the environment. The form of the coating can be very diverse:
- Rubber tracks in rolls have different widths and lengths. You can, for example, put a narrow roll cloth between the beds... Using a sharp knife, cut off the excess. And then the coating will smoothly go around the garden bed or other elements of landscape decor. It does not take much effort to lay the roll cloth. It can be placed both on the ground and on the lawn. It is desirable that the surface is flat, without pits and bumps. Can be easily rolled up and stored in winter. Although this is not necessary.
- Rubber tiles and rubber paving stones varied in color, shape, size and color scheme. Resistant to moisture and does not fade when exposed to sunlight. It is absolutely harmless, therefore such tiles are used for playgrounds. High cushioning properties will protect you from abrasions in the event of a fall.The types of rubber tiles are shown in the photo.
- Garden paths made of tires summer residents are especially eager to build, since they do not require large financial investments. Garden paths made of tires do not look as impressive as the finished rubber canvas. Although at the same time they are in no way inferior to him in properties. Resistant to temperature extremes, to precipitation in any form. The surface does not deform from heat or frost, does not slip. The rubber sheet is easy to maintain.
Concrete
Concrete is a cheap material, durable and resistant to mechanical stress and adverse weather conditions. The service life is long, if the technology of preparation of the base is observed. Concrete gives room for creativity. You can get a different color scheme by adding a coloring pigment to the solution, or make paving stones from a concrete-sand mixture in the country with your own hands. The installation of a concrete canvas will require some time and adherence to technology in order to avoid cracking in the future.
Making garden paths - step by step instructions
Making garden paths with your own hands at low cost is within the power of all summer residents, without exception. The main thing is not to be lazy and turn on your imagination.
Made of wood
Wood is an available material. Garden paths made of wood are made using various technologies. You can make a garden covering for movement from planks. A simple solution is to buy ready-made sawn timber, lay the boards on planks to reduce the contact of the tree with the ground. The entire structure is laid on a crushed stone base. Wooden boards should be raised above the level of the entire surface.
Consider a cheaper option for creating a summer cottage path from wooden saw cuts. So, you will need wood cuts better than hard breeds, up to 30 cm high. Treat the bottom with bitumen mastic.
And choose a tree without cracks. The less damage, the greater the chance that the tree will not undergo destruction.
The next step is to prepare the foundation. Schedule a route, remove the top layer of soil along the entire length and width of the track, making a trench, lay a plastic wrap on the bottom of the recess. Next, we lay a layer of gravel or crushed stone. This is the drainage layer. Then the sand layer will go. Spill and tamp it well.
The base for the track is ready. Start stacking the cuts. They need to be slightly drowned in the sand and adjust the height to the level. Lay wood cuts as you wish: tightly to each other or at some distance. Or combine pieces of wood of different diameters. Fill the space between the cuts with soil, sand or gravel. Or plant creeping groundcover. The surface of the tree must be treated with anti-decay protection once a year.
Examples of the design of a garden path from wooden saw cuts, see the video:
From tires
If you decide to make garden paths out of tires with your own hands, then you will need the car tires themselves. Their number will depend on the length of the intended track. A sharp knife with a stiff blade will also be needed for work. Instead of a knife, you can use a jigsaw if you have one.
Observing safety precautions when working with a sharp knife, very carefully separate the tire protector from the side of it. The separated protector will appear as a ring. Further, it also needs to be cut to get a strip. This will be the preparation for the future track.
Pieces of the tire should be attached to some kind of base, for example, nailed to wooden blocks. Otherwise, the tire will tend to return to its original state, that is, to round out. If you have wide tracks, then make 2-3 strips together.
The next step is to lay the coating on the ground.The soil base must be leveled, tamped. Make grooves under the bars so that the tires themselves adhere to the ground. Rubber garden paths made of tires are ready for use. And they will serve you faithfully for many years.
The idea of using tires for those garden areas where a step path is required. Tires can act as steps. They are overlapped one on top of the other. The soil is poured inside, and the surface of the soil can be decorated with gravel.
Concrete
And one more type of garden paths that are affordable and easy to manufacture. These are concrete paths.
Start with the markup, decide on the dimensions of the future track. Use pegs and ropes. Next, let's move on to preparing the base for the track.
It is necessary to remove the top fertile soil layer. And install the formwork. Use plywood for formwork. It can be bent if the garden path is conceived in smooth lines.
After that, lay agrofiber or polyethylene. This is necessary so that the layer of sand that you will be laying does not mix with the soil. Smooth the surface of the sand cushion and spill with water. This will give the required shrinkage. Lay the film on top of the sand. And on it pieces of reinforcement. It is not at all necessary to buy special fittings. Any metal pieces and scraps, parts of pipes will go into business.
Prepare the grout. Mix 3 parts dry sand and 1 part cement. Add water, mix everything well. Pour onto prepared base, smooth. Cover the concrete deck with polyethylene. This is necessary so that the concrete coating does not dry out, but hardens. Then there will be no cracks. It is good if you will additionally moisten the concrete surface. After 3 - 5 days, you can walk along the garden path and remove the formwork. Detailed instructions for installing a concrete walkway under a stone in the video:
The concrete path is practical. In addition, in the future it may become the basis for another type of garden cover.
Conclusion
Do not put the arrangement of garden paths on the back burner. Make your dreams come true, experiment. Moreover, the creation of tracks does not require large financial investments. Several photos for inspiration.
