How to Make the Best Garden Pathway

A garden pathway that is well thought out and planned not only allows moving throughout the garden easier but it is also garden pathways that lead our eye in a garden. For instance, a garden pathway that gives your garden design elements and focuses on aesthetics that leads to a focal point of a garden can be exactly what makes your garden one of a kind in its own way. There are a lot of things to consider when planning out your gardens pathway such as its overall main purpose in your garden, the design style you are wanting to accomplish and the materials you are going to use to do it.

Your Garden and the Purpose of Its Pathway

Of course, a pathway in any garden is sure to serve more than one purpose but what is the main purpose that comes to mind when you think about what you want your garden pathway to look like and provide for your garden. For some people, a garden pathway is simply an inviting way to welcome guests into their backyard living space.

For others, it may be a thing of convenience in having a predetermined route from point A to point B. To some gardeners, a garden pathway is just a way to easily access plants in a garden for plant maintenance while pathways are a means of separating different parts of a garden to some people. Imagine your garden as just the way that you want it to be and think about what the pathway means for you.

Garden Pathway Design and Your Garden

When it comes to the design of your garden pathway, it's important to give some thought to what type of path it will be and the design that comes with it. Is your garden pathway the type of path that is free-flowing with curves? Does it look natural as if the path was already there long before your garden? Some garden paths can look exceptionally good with a little overgrow and can certainly give a home garden a more natural feel. Or does your pathway have a more modern look with straight paths and the occasional ninety-degree angle turn or pathway intersection. Some modern home gardens look great with a path that is neatly trimmed and clean looking.

Your Pathway and the Pros and Cons of Materials

The materials you choose to use in your pathway can be exactly what makes or breaks your garden pathway design. While grass would be the most comfortable to walk on material for a pathway and can look great, it would require your garden to have the space and would be a higher maintenance choice for a garden path. Some people consider gravel for many reasons. It is relatively inexpensive and provides excellent drainage but if you are not wanting gravel to be anywhere else in your garden other then on your pathway, borders will be required to keep it in place.

Another thing to remember when selecting gravel as a material in your pathway is that you will need to pull weeds now and then to keep it looking its best. Similar to gravel is another option for an inexpensive pathway material is wood mulch. It is very easy to apply but keep in mind that it will need to be replaced every year and will wear down faster if your pathway is going to be one that is used frequently. If you're looking for a natural and durable pathway material, dry-laid pavers are a good option, especially for high traffic pathways.

However, dry-laid paver pathways aren't the best for drainage and can be relatively expensive. For a clean looking and almost no maintenance pathway, mortared paver pathways are the best option. While a mortared paver pathway is the most expensive option, you can use coating protection products to ensure a virtually zero maintenance pathway that is as clean looking as it is durable.

Depending on what you want your pathway to look like, there are plenty of options as far as materials and the benefits they can provide your garden with, as well as a look that you're trying to accomplish with it. When you are trying to determine what materials will be used in your pathway, keep in mind that using a combination of materials can go a long way. For example, a stone walkway with shredded wood mulch instead of gravel may give you the look you're wanting, as well as the benefits of durability and drainage. Your home garden pathway is yours to create, so have fun with it. You never know what is around the corner!