2017 - the paths

The main structural changes that we created in the garden in 2017 were the new paths.

Previously the main path from the house up to the patio outside the potting shed was a series of  paving slab stepping stones. It was well used but you had to place your feet carefully on the slabs in winter as the ground gets very wet.

Stage 1.- deconstruction and reconstruction. 

The new path was to be much wider and made of sets edged with bricks  - this was a job for the professionals!

A lovely gentle curve, following the line of the old stones 

Infilled with sets, showing the steps up from the patio by the house.

The finished path - looking good.

Stage 2 - From the left of the potting shed access to any other area of the garden entailed a walk across the lawn.  The clay soil means that in a wet winter the grass is very soggy underfoot.  So the plan was to create paths that enabled a firmer, drier route to the top area of the garden and the summer house.

Lengths of hosepipe put to good use......

................to determine positioning,...........

.....................................curves and widths.................

This path was also brick-edged but filled with gravel.

Together they have made a real difference to the garden.  The paths give the beds definition and structure and at the top of the garden the gravel path has had a unifying effect.

The gravel does tend to gravitate over the edge in places - aided by the hen - so has to be pushed back, but that is a small price to pay.  Really pleased with the results.