Content
Paths in the garden connect all parts of the summer cottage; it is convenient and comfortable to move along them. The garden area takes on a well-groomed appearance. Garden paths are washed away by rain and meltwater, 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 permanent paths in their dacha, 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 stone, thanks to its naturalness and naturalness, will fit into any design of a country landscape. Garden paths made of stone are particularly durable and strong. 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, slate, sandstone), divided into slabs up to 3 cm thick.Manufacturers offer flagstones with raw edges, smoothed edges and ready-made paving slabs for garden design. The only disadvantage of a stone garden path is the high price of the raw material and its delivery.
Wooden
Wooden garden paths are affordable, provided there are forests in your region. Wood is a natural and environmentally friendly material. Not as durable as stone. If you properly treat and protect the surface of the wood from moisture, it will last for many years. There are tree species - larch and oak - that are resistant to rotting without additional treatment. Since ancient times, wood has been used to build pavements. Nowadays, in remote cities you can find sidewalks made of wood.
Rubber
Rubber tracks for dachas are made from modern materials and meet all operational requirements. They have a rough surface, do not slip, and water does not accumulate on the surface, since the coating has a porous structure. Rubber sheets are not interesting for rodents, weeds and plants do not grow through the coating. Climatic conditions are tolerated without negative effects. It is made from crumb rubber, which is combined with a polymer composition that is harmless to humans and the environment. The form of coating can be very diverse:
- Rubber tracks in rolls have different widths and lengths. You can, for example, put a narrow roll of fabric between the beds. Using a sharp knife, cut off the excess. And then the coating will smoothly go around the garden flower bed or other elements of landscape decor. To lay the rolled fabric, no special effort is required. It can be placed both on the ground and on the lawn.It is desirable that the surface be smooth, without holes or bumps. Can be easily rolled up and stored in winter. Although there is no need for this.
- Rubber tiles and rubber paving stones varied in color, shape, size and color scheme. They are resistant to moisture and do not fade when exposed to sunlight. It is absolutely injury-proof, which is why such tiles are used for children's playgrounds. High shock-absorbing properties will protect against abrasions when falling. Types of rubber tiles are shown in the photo.
- Tire garden paths summer residents are especially willing to build them, since they do not require large financial investments. Garden paths made from tires do not look as impressive as finished rubber mats. Although at the same time they are in no way inferior to it in properties. Resistant to temperature changes and precipitation of any kind. The surface does not deform from heat or frost and does not slip. The rubber sheet is easy to care for.
Concrete
Concrete is a cheap material, durable and resistant to mechanical stress and adverse weather conditions. The service life is long if you follow the base preparation technology. Concrete gives room for creativity. You can get different colors by adding a coloring pigment to the solution, or make paving stones from a concrete-sand mixture at your dacha with your own hands. Installation of the concrete sheet will require some time and adherence to technology to avoid cracking in the future.
Making garden paths - step-by-step instructions
All summer residents, without exception, can make garden paths with their own hands at low cost. The main thing is not to be lazy and use your imagination.
Made of wood
Wood is an affordable material.Garden paths made of wood are made using various technologies. You can make a garden walking surface from boards. A simple solution is to buy ready-made lumber and lay the boards on beams to reduce the contact of the wood with the ground. The entire structure is laid on a crushed stone base. Wooden panels must be raised above the entire surface.
Let's consider a cheaper option for creating a country path from wooden cuts. So, you will need cuts of wood better than hardwood, up to 30 cm high. Treat the bottom with bitumen mastic.
And choose wood without cracks. The less damage, the greater the chance that the tree will not be destroyed.
The next step is preparing the base. Mark the route, remove the top layer of soil along the entire length and width of the path, make a trench, and lay plastic film on the bottom of the recess. Next, lay a layer of gravel or crushed stone. This is a drainage layer. Then there will be a sand layer. Pour it well and compact it.
The base for the path is ready. Start laying the cuts. They need to be slightly sunk into the sand and the height adjusted to the level. Arrange the wooden slices as you wish: close to each other or at some distance. Or combine pieces of wood of different diameters. Fill the distance between the cuts with soil, sand or gravel. Or plant trailing ground cover plants. The surface of the tree must be treated once a year with protection against rotting.
For examples of designing a garden path from wooden saw cuts, see the video:
From tires
If you decide to make garden paths from tires with your own hands, then you will need the car tires themselves. Their number will depend on the length of the planned path. For work, you will also need a sharp knife with a rigid blade. 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 tread from its side part. The separated protector will look like a ring. Next, it also needs to be cut to get a strip. This will be the preparation for the future track.
The tire pieces should be attached to some kind of support, 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 paths, then make 2-3 stripes together.
The next step is laying the coating on the ground. The soil base must be leveled and compacted. Make indentations under the bars so that the tires themselves adhere to the ground. Rubber garden paths made from 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 path with steps is required. Tires can act as steps. They are placed one on top of the other, overlapping. Soil is poured inside, and the surface of the soil can be decorated with gravel.
Made from concrete
And one more type of garden paths that are affordable and easy to make. These are concrete paths.
Start with markings and decide on the dimensions of the future path. Use pegs and ropes. Next, we move on to preparing the base for the track.
It is necessary to remove the top fertile layer of soil. And install the formwork.Use plywood for formwork. It can be bent if the garden path is designed in smooth lines.
After this, lay agrofibre or polyethylene. This is necessary so that the layer of sand that you will lay does not mix with the soil. Level the surface of the sand cushion and spill it with water. This will give the necessary shrinkage. Lay the film over the sand. And there are pieces of reinforcement on it. It is not at all necessary to buy special fittings. Any metal pieces and scraps, parts of pipes will be used.
Prepare cement mortar. Mix 3 parts dry sand and 1 part cement. Add water, mix everything well. Pour onto the prepared base and smooth out. Cover the concrete sheet with polyethylene. This is necessary so that the concrete coating does not dry out, but hardens. Then there will be no cracks. It’s good if you additionally moisten the surface of the concrete. After 3 - 5 days, you can walk along the garden path and remove the formwork. Detailed instructions for installing a concrete path 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 covering.
Conclusion
Don’t put off arranging your garden paths for too long. Make your dreams come true, experiment. Moreover, the creation of paths does not require large financial investments. A few photos for inspiration.
