Path in small garden
Stephanie Dreyer
9 years ago
Hello everyone,
I have a small garden, about 3.5 meters x 8 meters. I've had loads of trouble with my lawn because it was badly turfed when I bought the house, not suitable for clay soil and not suitable for shade. I've worked really hard over the summer and finally have an acceptable lawn... just in time for winter! I have a shed at the bottom of the garden which I need access to in the winter but I don't want to damage the lawn by walking on it when it's cold and frosty and wet and waterlogged (I live in England).
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a path I could lay from the patio to the shed. I've seen one with narrow stepping stones set up in B&Q that looked nice but then I quite like the idea of laying a gravel path across that side of the garden. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I've attached a picture of the garden (believe me, that's looking really good considering that there wasn't a single blade of grass there in March. Also, we have a puppy and didn't realise that dog pee burns the lawn, oops!) and I'm really hoping that you guys have some ideas!
Many thanks,
Stephanie
I have a small garden, about 3.5 meters x 8 meters. I've had loads of trouble with my lawn because it was badly turfed when I bought the house, not suitable for clay soil and not suitable for shade. I've worked really hard over the summer and finally have an acceptable lawn... just in time for winter! I have a shed at the bottom of the garden which I need access to in the winter but I don't want to damage the lawn by walking on it when it's cold and frosty and wet and waterlogged (I live in England).
I was wondering if anyone has any recommendations for a path I could lay from the patio to the shed. I've seen one with narrow stepping stones set up in B&Q that looked nice but then I quite like the idea of laying a gravel path across that side of the garden. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
I've attached a picture of the garden (believe me, that's looking really good considering that there wasn't a single blade of grass there in March. Also, we have a puppy and didn't realise that dog pee burns the lawn, oops!) and I'm really hoping that you guys have some ideas!
Many thanks,
Stephanie
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Comments (9)
Luciana
9 years agolast modified: 9 years agoStephanie, I agree with Paul, your lawn is just too small to go for something big and wide!
That being said, it doesn't mean you should consider a few options. I selected a few photos that would hopefully help you decide.
First, gravel and stepping stones:
Manly House · More Info
Stanford Garden · More Info
Steps in lawn:
Renovation in Palo Alto · More Info
Rustic Woodside · More Info
Dry creak and Japanese bridge; I think you could play with that idea if tempts you:
Secret Garden · More Info
Stanford Garden · More Info
Lastly, some pics from the net, with circular or semi-circular design (I imagine that what the previous owners had wanted):
PS: whatever you do, I think you shouldn't go for straight lines - a slight curve or some 'messy' placement would work better.
Stephanie Dreyer thanked LucianaRelated Discussions
Garden inspiration for small garden combined with driveway?
Comments (18)I need to resurrect this thread! So 2 years on we've completed all of the downstairs internal work, and knocked down the garage. We spread some grass seed, and there is now a garden space where once sat the garage. We did have a builder booked in for rebuilding the garage to the side of the house, and planned to add some decking where the patio doors are along the back of the house!/wall maybe, but now the builder has cancelled and is returning our cash, we're therefore reallocating funds to a much needed upstairs bathroom instead. I wonder if there are any budget friendly suggestions and ideas to make an area that will hold gardening tools/provide cover for my partner to do his hobbies by the side of the house? It's a wall then huge hedge beyond that which is directly parallel with a footpath and road on the other side. I thought about a shed but would the hedge not be impossible to cut and would it rot quicker, plus would the roots die off? We need to keep the hedge or have some privacy from the road, but equally need a place to store and use the space at the side. Thoughts?...See MoreBlank Canvas, need some help with garden design and path
Comments (7)Hi JC. I think the layout of the path will be quite important as well as deciding which plants to have. It looks like there is a lot of footfall on the lawn next to the patio so I think any path needs to start from here. Had you thought what material you’d like the path to be made out of? The size of the borders will depend on what plants you’d like to have, shrubs and trees will most likely need more space and can encroach on your lawn space. The suggestions above are all good tho and most of them are very hardy and tolerant of most soils. For privacy on the right fence I might go fo one main shrub, perhaps a Lilac and a tallish evergreen. If you get young specimens they’ll adapt to the soil better. In the meantime you could attach some trellis to the fence and grow some climbers such as the clematis Montana, honey suckle or star jasmine. I think the way to pick a planting plan is not to rush it but start with your star attractions first, the larger plants, shrubs or trees, look them up and find out their eventual height and spread. Then the rest you can fill in with the smaller things, like the perennials and bulbs. Be sure to check what conditions each plant likes, sun/shade etc. I bought this plant yesterday at a plant fair, Sambucas nigra ‘black lace’. It can grow very large but can be hacked back quite vigorously with little effect and is very hardy. Good job really as my garden isn’t huge and it’s staying in a container:-) Good luck with your garden, it’s a lovely space....See MoreStraight path in garden?
Comments (8)I think if you can make it a bit more interesting than just a straight, continual path, either in the paving pattern, the planting along the way, a pergola, a seat part way or a slight break in the path mid way all adds to the interest and makes it more about a journey rather than just getting from A to B in the shortest time. Lighting will also be important to consider!...See MoreGarden Path Ideas
Comments (6)Yes mii2, the deck is built onto the few pavers that form the ramp up from the lower patio to the lawn. Not ideal but they match the pavers of the lower patio (and are concreted in) so we just decided to leave those be and begin the new path from the top of that section. I wanted gravel as I thought it would be easier to manage the upward slope of the lawn from there but Mr doesn't like the idea of it against the pavers of the ramp (potential for slippage and being transferred onto the lawn by little bare feet etc!) The only other solution I thought of was setts or something similar so they could rise with slope of the lawn? Not sure....See MoreStephanie Dreyer
9 years agoStephanie Dreyer
9 years ago
PROAppleton Weiner Architects
9 years agoHello Stephanie
We used Victorian blue diamond paving bricks (salvaged from the project site) for a similar application as yours - just visible on the right hand side of the attached photo. They cost around £2 each from reclaim yards.
Regards
David
Stephanie Dreyer thanked Appleton Weiner ArchitectsStephanie Dreyer
9 years ago
natasan
9 years agoStephanie Dreyer
9 years ago
Paul Guppy