How cheap and beautiful to make garden and country paths with your own hands. Garden paths with your own hands at low cost: interesting and easy-to-perform ideas for your site Lawn grass for paths in the country

Provides for the creation of tracks. Moreover, the requirements for them are quite serious: they must be reliable, comfortable, functional, beautiful and very desirable - inexpensive. We will talk about how to make garden paths with your own hands at low cost in this article.

What to make tracks

The pavement can be solid or loose. To create a hard coating, the following materials are used:

• Concrete. Concrete walkways is not just an ordinary gray tape. In addition, there are dyes and you can decorate it if you wish. There are also molds for pouring immediately on the spot. It turns out homemade paving slabs. Another option is to pour small concrete plates right size, then put them on the bedding. See photos for design examples.

  And everyone in the household has forms for such a path - cut eggplants for water into cylinders, place them as needed and fill with a solution: beautiful and cheap
  And this is a concrete path with expansion joints. If you look closely, you can see that stripes are applied across. This is to ensure that the wet surface is non-slip.

• Flagstone. This is a natural stone that has been sawn into plates. It is laid on a prepared base (more on this later), the gaps are filled with backfill. It turns out beautifully, reliably, non-slip. No wonder landscape designers love flagstone stone paths so much.

  Backfill is one of important elements shaping appearance

• Brick. Normal ceramic brick — beautiful material, but not for tracks. It absorbs moisture, if then it freezes wet, it is torn apart. If you are going to make a track from broken brick, then it is more or less normal to walk on it only for a couple of years. Then you have to redo it. The resulting cracks will need to be covered with coarse sand or fine gravel. A clinker brick will serve much longer on the track, but this option cannot be called low-cost: the cost of one piece is from several tens of rubles.

  These are two types of bricks - ceramic and chipped granite. A clinker brick path is beautiful, you can’t say anything .... but maybe too beautiful for a garden?

• Wood. Such seemingly inappropriate material, but with proper processing it can last a long time. Moreover, many do-it-yourself wood tracks can be classified as low-cost. For example, they came up with the idea of ​​using stumps and saw cuts of trees as borders or coverings. They also make flooring from well-finished boards - terraced is better, but if not, it will also work from the old floor.

  Combination with pebbles - it's comfortable to walk And this is how to make a path out of boards

• Plastic. There are tiles for garden paths made of plastic - polyethylene or polypropylene. She has square shape and a system of locks, which is attached to one another. It can be laid directly on top of the lawn or previously trodden in the country or on the paths. This option is fast and cheap. It can definitely be called "With little cost." It is better, of course, to do the dumping of crushed stone and sand according to the rules, and lay it on top plastic elements. It's a little longer and more expensive. There is still immodest, but very beautiful option plastic tiles for tracks. There is also a "garden parquet". These are slabs or boards made of wood-polymer composite - WPC (they are in the photo, they look exactly like parquet). This material appeared relatively recently. It looks and feels like wood, but in fact it is a mixture of wood flour and polymer. This is very beautiful coverage, but their cost is by no means modest. Although not fabulous.

  This is garden parquet. Gorgeous, but overpriced

• Pebble. These are rounded natural stones that can be found on the banks of rivers or lakes. Flatter pebbles are more suitable for making tracks. There are different shades of gray, black, white, sometimes you can find burgundy. From these stones, laid close to each other, mosaic paths of amazing beauty are obtained. But this is an occupation for the assiduous and stubborn. Those who lack patience can find large flat boulders or large pebbles and lay them in the sand. It's not as luxurious, but no less reliable. You can also do with granite or other similar stones. It is important that at least one face is relatively flat. You put this flat part up, and bury the rest. The work is not easy, but it will be possible not only to walk along the path, but also to ride.
• Handy materials. Country paths are made from old tires and bottles.

There are also paved paths: these are gravel or crushed stone. Their peculiarity is that with a small layer of 2-3 cm and with sufficient compaction, it is convenient to walk on them. If the layer is slightly larger, unevenness is formed when walking, and such walking is tiring. Therefore, as you have seen in many photographs, gravel and crushed stone are used as backfill, in which rigid elements from other materials are laid. When done correctly, this is convenient: gravel conducts water well and puddles do not form. For those who don't like grey colour, you can advise to paint it: many designers do this when organizing rockeries.

How to make garden paths with your own hands

It is not enough to know what you can make garden paths with your own hands. You also need to know how to make them correctly so that it serves more than one season or two. The laying of different materials may vary slightly, but there are several rules and actions that are repeated in any technology.

First rule: when laying or forming a track cover, it is made with a slight slope. If the material allows, a slope of several centimeters is made on both sides of the center. If, for example, it fills concrete walkway, then the slope is formed in one direction - from the house, if it is nearby. The slope is made towards the lower part of the site if the path is located on a slope.

Second rule: under any covering preparation of the basis is required. If you lay stones (for example) directly in clay or loam, it will certainly be useful - it will definitely be more convenient to walk, but after some time the stones will “silt up”. Simply trample into the clay. With a backfill, this will take much more time. And if you make another drainage cushion and a side, water drainage will be even more efficient, and everything will look even more beautiful.

Third rule: the level of coverage of the track should be a couple of centimeters higher than the adjacent area. Then the water will quickly drain, it will be more convenient to clean, and cleaning will be required less often: the washed-out earth will not flow either during rains or during irrigation, which are often done along the paths.

Step-by-step instruction

When making garden paths with your own hands, start with markings. In theory, the dimensions and shape should be marked on the site plan, and the markup should take place according to the project. But more often than not, everything is done on the spot. In order to see the future path more clearly, its contours can first be covered with white sand or something similar. If the shape suits you, you can drive in the pegs and pull the twine between them, but you can also work on backfilling.

Along a beautiful path, you can place a flower garden or flower bed. How to do them, read.

Beautiful do-it-yourself pebble path

If with flagstone, paving stones, brick, everything is more or less clear - everyone has already seen more than once how this is done, then it is not clear how to lay pebbles in patterns.

Below is a photo report on the process of making a pebble track. The main techniques are visible on it: lines are applied to the leveled sand, along which pebbles will be laid out. If these are arcs, they are made with a thread and two sticks / nails.

Picking up stones, they are laid out on the edge close to each other, slightly sunk into the sand.

A board is laid on a folded pattern, a rubber mallet is taken and they knock on the board, hammering the pebbles into the sand. So the whole drawing is deepened, making sure that the edges of the pebbles are at the same height.

Stones are "drowned" in the sand

They take a mixture of sand and cement (sand 2 parts, cement 1 part) and fill in the gaps, leveling the layer with a brush.

A fragment of a pebble path is carefully poured with water so that the backfill does not blur. Wait a few hours until the cement sets a little, then remove the excess with a soft brush.

It is important not to miss the moment: the mortar should not get dirty, but also become a stone. If you pick it with your finger, it should crumble. It's time to clean up the excess.

Path of wooden stumps and gravel: video

Old logs or trees can be turned into beautiful path. They are sawn into logs of the required length, the front saw cut is polished, all wood is first treated with a bioprotection composition (it can be soaked with used oil). After drying, they are dipped in Kuzbass varnish and dried again. Then covered with paint desired color the front parts of the stumps - which will protrude outward. Once again dried and only then put in the sand.

The process is detailed in the video. Here it is explained step by step how to make garden paths from stumps or logs with your own hands.

Making your own concrete driveway

The process is generally similar to the one described at the beginning. There are some differences that we'll talk about.

After the trench is dug and the bottom is leveled, formwork is installed along it on both sides. These are boards from 25 mm thick (thicker is possible, thinner is undesirable, plywood 16-18 mm thick can be used). Their height is the height of the track. If you are molding a slope, the boards should be set taking it into account - one side is slightly higher, the other is slightly lower.

The formwork is set to the level - concrete will be leveled on it

To make formwork, pegs are driven into the ground in increments of no more than 60 cm. Boards are nailed to them. inner surface it is better to smear the formwork with working off or other oil: so that it can be removed easily. Further, crushed stone is poured onto the bottom and rammed. But it is necessary to ram carefully: if you walk along the bottom, no traces should be visible.

Further, in order for the path not to crack, a metal reinforcing mesh is laid on the rubble. The thickness of the bar is 4-6 mm, the step is 5-10 cm. It is sold in pieces, they must be connected to each other with steel wire.

Then, to compensate for the expansion in winter period you need to put wooden planks 1.5-2 cm thick. They are placed across the track, set so that the height of the planks is flush with the formwork boards. Compensation strips are set at least every 2 meters. More often you can, less often you can't. Why do it more often? For beauty. Squares look better than long rectangles.

AT finished frame poured concrete mortar grades not lower than M-250 (). For him, take 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand, 4 - crushed stone. Everything is mixed into a solution of medium fluidity (thick sour cream) and poured into the formwork. When pouring, make sure that there are no air bubbles left. To remove them, the solution is pierced with a pin, slightly shaking it - bayonet. Ideally, if there is a surface vibator for concrete - it quickly compacts the solution, creating a perfectly flat surface. If it is not there, you will have to level with the rule, using the edges of the formwork as beacons.

A few hours later, after the concrete has set, the surface can be treated. You can leave it as it is, you can brush it with a stiff brush, making transverse strips, you can finally put pebbles, stones, flagstone, etc. into a not completely hardened solution. It's not very economical, but reliable. After a couple of days, the formwork can be removed, and you can already walk along the path.

Tire track on a budget

What they just don’t make from tires: swings, and ... tracks. It's simple: at old tire you need to cut off the sides, leaving only the tread. What can be cut? Bulgarian. Someone manages with a knife, but this is only if the cord is not metal.

The projector is cut across to make a track. Then cuts of 15 centimeters are made on the sides - it depends on the diameter of the tire. They will make it possible to deploy the rubber.

Make incisions on the curved edges - the surface is still non-linear

In this form, it can already be laid on the beds. Will serve for many years. This one is like garden paths at low cost.

This coating will withstand many years of active use.

As you understand, there are a lot of options for how to make garden paths with your own hands. It is impossible to tell and describe about everyone, but we try ...

Paths are an integral part of the garden. Not only the appearance of the estate, but also the convenience of movement throughout the site depends on how they are laid and combined with each other. Therefore, the arrangement of paths and paths is the main stage in the design of the landscape gardening area.

How to plan a track layout

It is best to plan the layout of the tracks during the planning and zoning of the site. This will make it possible to provide approaches to all necessary buildings and zones.

If necessary, in the future, after the appearance of a new building, or a change in layout, you can always correct the route or change direction. The marking should be carried out taking into account all routes, so that a convenient passage is provided to each important element of the garden.

To begin with, you should draw up a site plan and think over all possible objects, including both communication and architectural or design ones. After marking all the routes, it is necessary to determine the width of the track, taking into account what exactly it will be used for.

• The main path - going from the gate to the house and to the most visited places, for example, a gazebo or a playground, should be 0.9-1.5 m wide. This is necessary not only for the possibility of the passage of two people, but also helps to highlight it visually.
• Paths of secondary importance (to utility rooms, bathhouse, outbuildings, recreation areas) - from 60 to 90 cm.
• For paths going deep into the garden or vegetable garden, a width of 35-50 cm is suitable.

The exact width of the tracks is not given, as it depends on the size of the site and on personal preferences. However, for large area it is recommended to make each branch from the road twice as narrow as the previous one. For example, the main one is 1.2 m, then the secondary one is 60 cm, and the garden one is 30-35.

It is equally important that the paths fit perfectly into the overall style of the site. For a landscape-style garden, serpentine paths with gentle turns are best suited. Their width is made the same, and on the steps to the sites or buildings they are gradually expanded.

Landscape style garden design or English garden. Also called Nature Style or natural garden, contains irregular and uneven forms, mixed plantings and planting zones.

In a garden of regular construction, paths are lined exclusively in a straight line, so that they are parallel and perpendicular to each other, fences and walls of the house. A ray scheme or symmetry is also suitable for this style.

For the reader's reference

landscape style regular garden- the exact opposite of the landscape style. It may also have the names French Park, Geometric Garden, Garden of regular or geometric construction. Differs in the correct equal forms and symmetry of execution. Considered the most stringent light style in landscape design.

Materials for paving paths in the garden

When choosing which paths to make in the garden with your own hands, it is important to consider the basic requirements: strength, safety and affordability. What is the best way to make them? And how to determine required amount materials?

The most popular are:

• paving slabs;
• a natural stone;
• granite chips;
• paving stones;
• pebbles;
• stamped concrete;
• concrete plates;
• bars and saw cuts of trees;
• terrace board.

Choosing building materials for paving should be based on the purpose of the paths and sites. On the main routes, especially if the house is permanently occupied, a continuous hard surface of concrete, tile or stone is laid. For backfilling the central paths, as well as for paving routes of secondary importance, brick chips, gravel or pebbles are used.

The central paths and porches are paved with the same type of material to give the entire space a stylistic unity. If the area of ​​​​the site is large, you can combine several types of coatings, but no more than 2-3. For laying serpentine paths, it is better to choose elements of medium size - paving stones, clinker, paving slabs.

Before laying the coating, it is necessary to make the base of the track. To do this, they dig a trench, having previously calculated its depth according to the formula: the height of the base layer plus the height of the surface coating. Usually, a 30 cm layer of fine-grained sand and gravel, or crushed stone, is used to create the base. In this case, the sand component should not be more than 50%. The base is laid out in 4-5, approximately equal layers, each one is carefully spilled with water for precipitation and compacted.

Determination of the amount of facing material

In order to determine how much material is required to paving the surface layer of the path, it is necessary to determine the length and width of the future garden path, and then, by multiplying, calculate its total area. For example, for the construction of a path measuring 1.2 by 7 m, about 63 tons will be required. decorative gravel.

This calculation is based on the following data:

• According to the data from the example, we get the coverage area: 1.2 * 7 \u003d 8.4 square meters;
• For a stable coating, according to the norms, it is customary to take a height of 5 cm;
• The coverage volume is equal to the coverage area multiplied by the height: 8.4 * 5 = 42 cubic meters;
• The bulk weight of decorative crushed stone can be obtained from the manufacturer, on average it is one and a half tons per cubic meter;
• Based on these data, we expect that our track will need 63 tons (42 * 1.5).

You can calculate the amount of sand and gravel for the base approximately, according to the same principle. The bulk weight of fine-grained sand is 1.72-1.8 tons per cubic meter, and fine-grained crushed stone of the M700-M800 brand is 1.41 tons.

Paths in the garden of stone, tiles and bricks: design options

Stove - most popular material to organize tracks. Firstly, it is easy to lay out, secondly, it is durable and wear-resistant, and thirdly, it is quite easy to care for it.

Modern market building materials allows you to choose paving slabs for every taste - all kinds of shapes, colors and textures. To decorate the area large sizes- parking or a platform near the porch, it is enough to combine 2-3 options by organizing inserts on the main canvas with a diagonal or patterned placement of tiles.

A mosaic or abstract patterns of multi-colored tiles of various sizes will look very unusual and festive. For connoisseurs of natural style great solution there will be a tile with gaps, which, after laying, can be sown with grass or covered with soil.

Do-it-yourself garden paths made of natural stone

Natural materials - basalt, granite, limestone, sandstone allow you to realize the most daring fantasies. With their help, you can make a path of any purpose a real artistic element of the garden. The main advantage of such a coating is harmony and strength. Pave paths from natural stone not difficult, even for a non-professional.

For the construction of walking paths, it is most rational to use full-sawn paving stones - stone blocks that resemble a parallelepiped in shape. And access roads should be paved with chipped paving stones. Irregular flagstone paving, 4 cm thick, looks no less beautiful. sand-cement mixture.

To save money

To save money, you can combine paving slabs, filling the main part of the paving with it, and make stone patterns in the center. For this purpose, a stone of any size, left over from construction, boulders unusual shape, pebbles and shells brought from a trip. Brick chips, pieces of marble, granite, and even wooden saw cuts are also useful.

Walking paths in the garden, photo of original coatings using wood

Wood is not the most durable material but look wooden walkways very aesthetic and original. To ensure that the coating lasts as long as possible, it is treated with special impregnations before laying that protect against moisture and fungi: Drevotex-Anti-mold, Dali, Woodmaster Prof Biosept, Ecodom Bioprof. Such paths are installed only on elevated places where there is no possibility of waterlogging of the soil and stagnant water.

The walking paths leading into the distance of the garden are made of wooden cuts with a diameter of 20 cm or a rectangular bar 20x15 cm. Most suitable material for saw cuts, wood of aspen, oak or alder is considered, and for the manufacture of timber - spruce, pine and some types of larch. Finished bars spread on a pillow of sand, covered with gravel on top. The saw cuts are driven into compacted wet sand, as close as possible to each other.

The most durable material for garden paths

More durable and durable paths made of decking boards. It is made of wood or wood-polymer material that is not subject to destructive effects. weather conditions. Mount the coating on logs laid on a leveled surface. Fasten the boards to each other with screws or clips.

Logs are selected based on the selected terrace board. If wood-polymer materials are used, logs also follow from composite materials, since the service life of the parts of the structure must match. The surface under the logs can be made of various materials: paving stones, crushed stone and sand, sand or concrete. The main condition is prepared Smooth surface, with a slight slope (1.5-2%) from the house for water flow.

Lags are laid at a distance of 40-50 cm, and in places of increased load 20-30 cm. Also, they should not be laid close to curbs and walls, the recommended distance is more than 20 mm. Then they fix terrace board. If fully used natural materials, requires mandatory treatment with special oils that prevent rotting.

Outcome

A beautifully laid out central path or an originally decorated winding path leading from home to your favorite vacation spot, pond or garden can not only emphasize the merits of plant compositions, but also become spectacular garden decoration. Using the advice of our experts, you will make beautiful and comfortable paths in the garden with your own hands.

Why do homeowners choose to put a lawn walkway design in their yard? main reason- provide better access to hard-to-reach corners, create passages to flower beds. Landscape design of the path - 65 photos of ideas on how to arrange paths to the house. The path will prevent damage to flowers, vegetables and other plants due to the clearly defined edges.

The paths and walkway design are also perfect for redirecting purposeful bare feet away from your manicured flower beds and beds. If the shortest path to front door passes right through the manicured front yard, you will definitely need a path to protect the yard from any damage.

Landscaping a walkway will add dynamism to your landscape as well as create a calming, welcoming effect. When it comes to building a walkway, you have a wide range of options, both simple and complex. It all depends on your time, investment and the effort you are willing to put into it. Here are some possible options. Photo track design:

Track design - choose material

Design of garden paths made of concrete slabs. Pretty simple approach. Purchase concrete slabs about 45 centimeters in diameter. Lay them directly on the ground along the path, about two steps apart.

The interpretation of this method can be a small depression in the ground before laying out the stones. Dig holes so that the stone protrudes about 1.5 centimeters above the ground. This will allow you to easily mow the grass near the walkway, as well as trim the plants that will inevitably grow over time.

Cobblestone and gravel for site path design. Solid path of pebbles or gravel. In this case, the need to trim the plants will simply go away. Also use cobblestone or gravel in addition to your flagstones. Whichever option you choose, be sure to study the landscape layer before laying out cobblestone or gravel. This can affect water runoff (eg after rain) or weed control.

Mulch walkway design. Another solution is a walkway design made entirely of mulch, or a combination of mulch and rocks. True, mulch tends to get a little dirty, especially on rainy days. But at the same time it is good and affordable. garden paths photo design:

If you decide to use mulch, there are several ways to give your walkway a boost. For example, finishing the edges with wood or plastic will give the walkway a more austere look. Any garden path design detail that adds character to your paths and paths is easy to buy, inexpensive, and can be installed with just a hammer.

If your passage is located on a slight slope, then be sure to consider pine needles as an addition to the mulch. They stick together well. Therefore, during gusty winds, the mulch will better maintain its appearance.

Designing garden paths with pieces of bark is another great opportunity to diversify your garden path. Today they are different colors: red, black, brown. Pieces of bark practically do not fade in the sun.

Walkway landscaping

The landscaping of the walkway is surrounded by plants and trees that provide beauty and protect privacy. They also help your pool blend seamlessly into the environment. Grow tall plants that will form protective screens and hide your poolside privacy from prying eyes for sure. But you need to choose vegetation wisely. It is important to think about how big this or that plant will grow. It is also worth considering that large trees create shade and shed a lot of foliage! It is this factor that leads to rotting of water. garden path photo design:

If your pool assumes the presence of salt water, then take this factor into account. You will need to select plants that are salt tolerant. Ilex or juniper might work well. The trees on the south side of the pool are grown to create heady cool shade. But do not allow the entire pool to be completely in the shade. Then you will have room for the sun on cloudy days.

Give up fruit trees near the paths, otherwise the design of the path to the house will suffer: not only because of the fall, but also because they attract bees. For the same reasons, you should also refuse flowers near the pool. It is worth knowing that plants should be planted at least 2 meters away from the structure, so it will be much easier to keep the pool clean.
But even more important criterion The choice of vegetation is their root system. Some trees can damage your pool with their roots over the years, and landscaping a walkway will help you move freely throughout your property.

The irrigation system is extremely critical to maintaining the appearance of your patio in at its best. Proper Management water resources is a balance between conserving water and providing the amount of vegetation necessary for its healthy growth. Every homeowner should pay attention to the attractiveness of the landscape in his yard, and make sure that the appearance designed by the designers will not change.

Walkway design to the house

One of the most important elements for preserving the landscape and garden path design of your patio is long years, is a well-functioning irrigation system. This is especially true during dry seasons. There are many types of irrigation systems. The most common are sprinkler, rotary and drip irrigation. Photo track design:

Spray system. The most popular form of irrigation for home lawns and gardens. Good for small patio areas. The heads are easily rotated so that the direction of the spray can be changed so that the garden paths do not get wet. Overall, the system is reliable with little maintenance.

Rotary system. Most commonly used for irrigation large areas, and is commonly found in stadiums. Rotary systems throw water at a distance of up to 30 meters. Despite the speed of ejection of water from the sprayer, rotary systems actually eject less water than a spray system.

Drip irrigation for landscape design tracks. One of the most efficient water-storing irrigation systems. At drip irrigation There are many advantages over other types of irrigation, including:

Drip irrigation systems use a network of pipes and hoses to slowly and efficiently distribute water at low pressure. This results in less water consumption than traditional upper types watering, and in many cases this slow, steady flow water provides more healthy care behind the vegetation. Photo track design:

You have beautiful garden or cottage? Then take a look at these garden paths that can enrich the landscape of any space, give it zest, romance of an old park or mystery. wildlife. The paths on your property can and should evoke emotions, tell stories, and encourage inspiring walks. Therefore, in this article we have collected 35 photos different types garden paths- in shape, material, size and design. Just scroll down, look at the beautiful gardens and save your best ideas!

Also read:

Choosing a shape for a garden path

When you are going to make a garden path with your own hands, you need to take into account a lot of factors: from the cost and quality of the material to the time required to complete the work. But nothing affects the result as much as the design of garden paths - that is, their shape and material. It is they who decide whether the site will ultimately delight your eyes, and it is them that we will consider next.

Clear geometric lines and angles create a contrast with the soft outlines of plants and give the garden a modern chic. Large rocks and tree beams create an organic connection to the land, while naturally winding paths captivate and spark the imagination. Let's take a look at the most common forms of garden paths:

1. Serpentine. The serpentine lines of the paths create a feeling of calm, because such a form is natural and organic for them. Such paths are especially good in the country, among big trees and lush bushes, where they literally drag you along, creating curiosity about what is around the next bend. Choose this trail shape if your garden is large enough and divided into sections that are not meant to be viewed all at once.

2. Straight line. This track option is designed to guide visitors quickly and efficiently. garden plot from one place to another. They are practical for a dacha or garden, but may seem too mundane in a garden plot intended for relaxation. To soften their excessive "straightness", such garden paths are left without a border and decorated with lush plants. Another option is to break the path into sections, between which moss or grass will grow.

3. Labyrinth. What could be more interesting than beautiful garden paths crossing each other with a certain rhythm? This way of designing a garden plot slows down walking, creating visual barriers, conveniently divides the landscape into sections and gives it a well-groomed look in the spirit of classic gardens. How are you?

4. Zigzag. This laying of garden paths is not suitable for everyone, but if you have a fairly large plot and are a fan of Feng Shui and Zen, then this is 100% your option. According to Japanese tradition, evil spirits cannot move at 90 degrees, so paths laid out in this way ensure safety. In addition, this form of garden paths gives the site a meditative mood and, like a labyrinth, slows down the walk of the garden visitor, allowing him to enjoy nature. The best option for landscape design in modern or Japanese style!

Below we provide another photo of garden paths laid in a zigzag pattern. This time they are made of wood and somewhat raised above the ground, like a bridge. This option is not as easy to manufacture as the others, but it perfectly solves the problem of a sloped area. And how it looks!

The ideal size of the paths in the garden or in the country

Traditionally, most garden walkways are 1.2m wide, allowing two average adults to walk or walk side by side in the garden. In order for a group of people to walk and talk freely on the site, the width of the path should reach 1.5–2.4 m. The size of the path that you are going to decorate with a vase or other garden decor should be about the same.

At the same time, the paths in the country or small personal plot can be much narrower - from 60 to 95 cm. However, when making paths in the country, do not forget to take into account the fact that here you may also need fairly wide paths - for example, when you are transporting something on a wheelbarrow or moving around with garden tools in hand. For such use, the track must be not only spacious, but also more reliable.

Materials and design of paths (+ 29 photos of garden paths)

Consider the top 7 materials from which garden paths are made:

1. Concrete. The most popular and "flexible" material for garden paths. It is safe and low maintenance. You can just fill the trails with concrete, lay them with cement tiles, concrete blocks or use a special form to create garden paths with your own hands (as shown in the next photo). For a more unusual design, concrete garden paths are painted a contrasting green color, broken into sections, or artificially created cracks from which grass will grow.

2. Stone and paving stones. The stone can give both classic and modern look landscape, depending on its shape, color and texture. As a rule, inexpensive types of stone, such as sandstone and limestone, are used for paths in the country. But even with them, your paths will acquire both a chic and harmonious look with nature. And how amazing the stone mosaic looks ...

3. Tiles. Tile is much easier to lay garden paths than stone or brick, but can mimic the look quite successfully.

And sometimes tiles — it's fun. With a wide selection of paving and cement tiles in stores, any landscape designer's fantasies can come true!

1. Gravel. What could be easier than how to make a garden path with your own hands from gravel? It looks good, is comfortable both on flat terrain and on steep slopes, and besides, it crunches nicely underfoot. Before buying gravel or crushed stone for paths, try to pick up perfect color and the size of the pebbles that will decorate your garden. The following garden paths in the photo demonstrate how their color can affect landscape design.

5. Brick. This material for paths is especially loved in the western corners of Europe. It does not have the natural charm of a stone, but is also able to give the site a unique spirit of antiquity. At correct installation(which, by the way, can be quite painstaking) brick garden paths are among the most durable. We also note that red brick perfectly emphasizes greenery, but for an ideal composition it should be combined with white elements of facades, a fence or other details of the site.

6. Tree. Lumber, whether solid wood or pressed boards such as MDF, is good choice for paths in the garden that will not have direct contact with the soil. As a rule, they are made like bridges (see photo below) or are laid on pebbles, which perform the function of drainage - that is, they pass water well, preventing the wood from being soaked with it.

7. Mulch.Soil mulching is widespread in the West, but today you can buy mulch for making paths from us. Mulch can include straw, tree bark, dry leaves, sawdust, and even paper. Like gravel, mulch is easy to lay on the ground, has a pleasant rustle and is available in different shades. But unlike him, it has a positive effect on the soil, while protecting and enriching it.

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Garden paths made of combined materials

For creative landscape design, different garden path materials are often combined. The key to creating a successful combination lies in the right juxtaposition. different forms, sizes, shades and textures. If at least one of these characteristics of the materials does not match, the garden will look confusing and incoherent.

Of the most win-win combinations, wood and stone are the first to come to mind. Usually they are chosen quite close in color (light stone + light wood, and vice versa), because. a sharp contrast between them is not particularly characteristic of nature.

Here the tile and gravel make a stunning transition from home to garden, don't you think?

Highly interesting view your garden can be given paths of stone slabs with grass or moss between them. A 100% surefire way to give your yard some vintage charm!

And of course, the stone can be perfectly combined with gravel close to it in color. In this case, the emphasis is not on beautiful combination textures, but on how small stones emphasize the expressive irregular shape big stones.

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Thanks for reading! And, as always, we welcome your comments! What is your favorite garden path design?

What garden paths to make in the country or plot (35 photos) updated: October 10, 2016 by: Margarita Glushko

Landscaping always makes our life better, but sometimes we can’t afford its cost, therefore, garden paths with our own hands at low cost are just what is very useful in such a situation. It should immediately be clarified that the laying of such alleys can be carried out different materials. And for this, it is not always necessary to purchase paving slabs, although this is one of the best options.

We will try to highlight the possible popular options and how to implement them, as well as show you a thematic overview - the video in this article.

Beautiful garden

Basic styling technique

First, the layout

• By and large, do-it-yourself garden paths come down to the same technical parameters, with the exception of amendments to a particular finishing material. First of all, you will have to visually determine the place where you are going to lay your alley, and then make accurate markings in width. To do this, pegs are driven in along the entire length and a cord is pulled along them - this should fully reproduce future contours, whether it be a straight line, a turn or a zigzag.
• After that, depending on the soil and the presence of turf on it, dig a trench with vertically even edges, the depth of which can be from 10 cm to 30 cm (the removed turf can be used elsewhere). By and large, in such cases, the instruction recommends covering the base with geotextiles to cut off moisture and prevent weeds from growing through finishing coating. But we are still talking about budget option, therefore, geotextiles can be lowered and a dense polyethylene film can be used - wrap its edges on the walls of the ditch.
• And last preparatory stage before installation facing coating there will be a backfill of a pillow of sand and crushed stone 5-10 cm thick. Sand is usually poured from below, and crushed stone is poured from above, but you can do without both, using granite screenings for this purpose. Everything - now you can proceed to the outer part.

Purpose

calling card suburban area the main alley that runs to the house from the gate can become, because this is one of the first elements of landscape design that catches your eye when you visit. Therefore, it determines the first impression.

During installation, it should be borne in mind that this area is the most passable and the load on it will be greater than in the garden. Therefore, wear-resistant materials are needed here - asphalt, concrete or paving slabs - wooden elements under such a load somehow inappropriate.

In addition, you need to pay attention to the width of the passage - at least 2 people should diverge freely there, which means that the width of the path from the gate to the house cannot be less than 1.5 m.

Secondary garden paths can be called those that serve to communicate between household structures and units, such as a garage, gazebo, barn, bathhouse, chicken coop, well, and the like. The width of such a device can be from 50 cm to a meter - this will be quite enough.

Although, if desired, they can also be made wider, if the area of ​​​​your site allows it. It is possible that on such a surface you will have to transport any goods on a wheelbarrow - in this case, again, the finishing material must be durable - asphalt, concrete, paving slabs.

Between flower beds, trees or for other transitions, they arrange paths in the garden with their own hands of an intermittent type, that is, such that you can walk in rainy weather without getting your feet wet.

As a rule, such paths are narrow from 30 cm to 50 cm from sparsely located tiles or stones - this is quite enough to pass one person. This method of installation makes the coating hardly noticeable against the general background of the landscape, preserving more green spaces.

Types of coatings

The most cheap track, this is the one on which there is no decorative coating, that is, a path that is trodden on by feet or wheels of a wheelbarrow, but the ground sags in such places. Therefore, when it rains, puddles will definitely gather there. To avoid them, you can make a drainage system if the level of the site allows it (the presence of a slope), but it is best to fill an additional layer.

As a backfill, you can use sand or screenings (granite, limestone), and so that the embankment does not spread, it is fixed with a curb of stones or mixborders (evergreen flower bed).

Gravel, crushed stone and pebbles will always serve good foundation for backfill. Accordingly, if this material is taken as a base, then such a path will last for a long time, but other elements can be used for decoration here, for example, paving slabs, paving stones or flat stones.

For backfilling, they deepen 10-15 cm into the ground and cover the bottom with geotextiles or a dense plastic film to prevent the germination of various weeds (a sand cushion 20-30 mm high can be poured under crushed stone or pebbles).

Naturally, it is better to make the embankment above the ground level, and so that it does not spread, it is fixed on the sides with a curb or stones. If you decide to decorate crushed stone with tiles (stones, paving stones), then these elements must be inlaid on the same level as bulk material- so you get a homogeneous beautiful canvas.

In addition, such a crushed stone (pebble) base can serve as a pillow for paving slabs, which will be laid without pouring cement-sand mortar (dry).

But tiles (paving stones) cannot be laid on crushed stone, therefore, a sand cushion 20-30 mm high is poured on top of it and they are already mounted on it decorative coating. Sometimes, for decoration purposes, dwarf lawn grass is sown in the gaps that remain between the elements.

The most durable and durable structures are obtained in cases where the formwork for garden paths is mounted with one's own hands and poured with cement-sand mortar or fine-grained concrete. As a coating in such cases, paving slabs, paving stones and decorative rock(artificial or natural) and a border is mounted on the sides, which serves more as an element of decoration than a limiter from spreading.

Recommendation. To fill the base on which paving slabs are laid, a cement-sand mortar is used, to which tile adhesive is added for elasticity. The proportion of glue in this case should be at least 1/2 of the cement, but it is better if the glue and cement are one to one.

materials

If you are thinking about how to make a garden path with your own hands, then the most popular finishing material in such cases there will be paving slabs different sizes and different configuration. Such tiles can be made of concrete or baked clay.

With its help, you can create a wide variety of patterns and ornaments, full of their colors and features of the geometric parameters of each element (in the photo above, the Gzhelka tile ornament). In addition, paving slabs can retain their appearance and operational strength from 5 to 20 years - everything will depend on the current load and the quality of production.

Recommendation. To increase the operational resource, you should choose concrete tiles pastel colors- this will keep its appearance. And to prolong the service life, pay attention to the manufacturer's brand and do not use an ice scraper.

Paths made of fine-grained concrete are very good, which are poured into special forms that give the fragments the most varied look. Also, here you can use decorative cement, changing the fill color scheme to your liking.

Clinker brick not only has high strength - it is very beautiful and appearance similar to cobbled pavement. But for garden paths use opportunities colors, thereby diversifying .

Conclusion

Of course, the price of each material is very different from each other and not everyone is able to lay out large sums for clearance. But when decorating, the main role is played by taste, and not by the cost of the decorative coating.