Green path

JamieB · July 2023

Hi all, I’m in a quandary. I try to maximise the green potential of my garden in all its design elements. And I’m replacing the path up to the house which is on a very slight incline. Now I could do an aggregate type of path say with Devon pink rock then plant small herb plants into it or use self binding gravel a la garden rescue but they don’t quite cut it for me. I’m playing with the idea of a grass path with some low growing wild flowers / herbs intermingled in it but I’m concerned that in periods of prolonged rain it may not be a good idea. I don’t want peoples shoes getting muddy. If I used the right sub base and the right soil mix and the right grass cultivar, could it be done with the right compaction? And which combo would be best? I’ve also considered a thyme doone valley and a chamomile trenague path but I think they’re probably too delicate even with light footfall. Although I could be convinced if readers say it’s doable. It all gets morning sun and then then about half of it gradually falls into shade down the path as the afternoon passes although it’s a generally a light and bright area otherwise. I’d love to be able to squeeze in more greenery. Cheers Jamie

SalixGold · July 2023

I find that bits of grass and herbs and all sorts of plants seed quite happily into a gravel path on their own, if there's a bit of earth underneath. Majoram, thyme, erigeron, clover, forgetmenots, oxalis, violets, cats ear, woodruff.... This July - with all the rain - my paving and gravel paths have turned into short, green semi-lawns, which I love. Zero effort from me - all self seeders - just not removed. I take out the occassional dandelion that turns up, urban geum and fat hen but that's about it.

Fairygirl · July 2023

I'd go for a simple gravel path @JamieB, and plant into it- using whatever suits your climate/location, and anything which is happy, and flowers, will seed over time. You may need to amend what's underneath a little to get plants settled in.

Use a larger, flatter grave rather than a fine one or it'll be used a cat litter tray...

The slope is easily dealt with - every so often [6 feet or thereabouts] fit a sleeper, or rocks, or whatever you fancy, set in to provide a shallow step. Rock or brick will probably need mortared, but it isn't too difficult to do. if you use heavy duty timber rather than sleepers, they'll need battens or short posts concreted in, to hold the timber securely. Depends on the length of the path etc.

JamieB · July 2023

@SalixGold @Fairygirl thanks both. I’ll go down the Devon pink gravel path route then. False dandelion the problem dowm my way. Absolutely everywhere. Will partially plant up (can’t resist) with herbs and the like. Might share the photos once all done if the weather ever improves!

SalixGold · July 2023

I find dandelions are easier to put out if they are rooted into gravel. Little and often can good be a good way on a (small) path: Take off the green shoots and any flowering heads as soon as you see them.

Fairygirl · July 2023

Do you mean the sow thistles and similar plants, rather than dandelions themselves @JamieB? The real ones are difficult to get out unless they're tiny, but the others are certainly easier.
I've noticed a lot more of those around here in the last year or two as it's been hotter and drier, so there's better conditions for them to get successfully to seed, and sow into gaps everywhere.
I have a lot of gravel areas, and it pays to be vigilant so that you can get unwanted plants out easily. A good thick layer certainly helps though

JamieB · July 2023

@FairygirlHypochaeris radicata this end. They are everywhere down my way. If there’s any unplanted earth, brace yourself, as they’ll soon colonise it. I’ll put a decent layer down without making it too deep such that you sink when walking on it

Dovefromabove · August 2023

Every cloud has a silver lining @JamieB … Wiki tells us

“… All parts of the catsear plant are edible; however, the leaves and roots are those most often harvested. The leaves are bland in taste but can be eaten raw in salads, steamed, or used in stir-fries. Some recommend mixing them with other vegetables. Older leaves can become tough and fibrous, but younger leaves are suitable for consumption. In contrast to the edible leaves of dandelion, catsear leaves only rarely have some bitterness. In Crete, Greece, the leaves of a variety called παχιές (pachiés) or αγριοράδικα (agriorádika) are eaten boiled or steamed.

The root can be roasted and ground to form a coffee substitute…” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hypochaeris_radicata

Fairygirl · August 2023

Yes - we get that round here @JamieB , although not usually in great numbers. Lots of things don't seed and thrive so easily here.
A couple of inches of gravel is the norm for any path - not difficult to walk on if it's a decent size - ie around 20mm - not any smaller. The 10mm stuff isn't ideal for the reasons I gave earlier, but you also sink into that too easily.

plant pauper · August 2023

The chap who lived here before me was a cheapskate and used whatever he could get free from his fishing buddies. What he managed to do, inadvertently, was set up a long term experiment in 'the weed proliferation in various grades of gravel'. Bigger is better but not big enough to be ankle breaking. 🤓

Shauna2021 · August 2023

I have a set of stepping stones embedded in grass which are interplanted with eg fleabane, geraniums etc - just another idea.

Green path

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