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I am tired of shoveling sh*t (compost) so I thought I would run in and ask ?'s about making pathways. Going through thought process....and getting myself in more trouble with ideas. Idea: Laying a garden hose in the shape I want the walkway. Use Round Up to kill the Burmuda grass (takes time) Was going to lay down a layer of landscape fabric but after reading all your horror stories about the stuff....I guess not!
Should I dig off the top layer of Burmuda after it is dead and put down sand and then place the already purchased 3/8 inch parchement pebbles? OR should I just leave it? Do I need sand? I wouldn't know for what....just read somewhere that is was recommended. Since it is winding through grass should it be level or should the middle of path be raised. It does drain real well. Maybe thick newspaper layers under pebbles to keep Burmuda from popping back up or is that necessary. Keeping a bottle of Round Up armed and ready. LOL Would like to border path with daylilies....get rid of more Burmuda . Eventually another path to a Gazebo (still dreaming). ANY info., thoughts, horror stories, don't do it, recommendations, etc. would help and more than welcome. Catlover
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Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.106
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
Hey Karen, first, the garden hose thing is a great idea. If you lay it out like that to get the basic shape, then you can measure the size and that will help with figuring the cost. About the daylilies, what I have done is use that black plasting push in edging to keep anything from "volunteering" in my walkways and then put the edging plants on the outside. That way, if they spread, I don't tear up my walk straightening them out. As for the sand, it helps with the drainage as well as the stability of the pebbles/rocks/stones whatever you use. And yes, I would dig out the grass after it is dead so that you can be sure the decaying grass won't cause a shift. I am sure others have more professional thought, but that is what I know and have experienced! Good luck, post pictures when you are done!!
Seeded: 206.220.183.9
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Karen, The horror stories are when you use it as a mulch, with stuff on top like rocks, bark chips and mulch. I agreed with Nikkal on that, I can't take it, to much work for what it's worth, for my flowers it's straigt top dressing of compost. I love my baby plants. And for my raised veggie bed, it's working good, just have to go through which on is easier for you. But on the bed I don't cover the fabric, nothing's on top. So, it works for me. For the under the walk way I'd use it, or the plastic like Jiffy said. Nikkal said it does break down after a while, so I believe her. Plastic I would imagine too. I'd probably do a couple of things, if I wanted it the offical way. Kill that Bermuda nightmare, dig it up and bag it....hose works great, I'd put the news paper under it, like they suggest for ponds, because anything sharp or like a rock, it'll soften the tip of it. Then the plastic and or fabric. (I'd go with the plastic, real thick stuff) cover with sand, because like Jiffy said, stablizes it, (But sand is a growing medium just the same over time.) Those rocks are good too, but over time debris from falling leaves still fall between and again produces growing medium. But the sand is easier to pull out weeds from, loose material, where when you pull the rocks out, everything comes with it. I'd definately put the plastice and the paper, especially with that burmuda, Because paper does break down and plastic can be poked through if that grass is that poker type point on the growing end.
Were you putting any stepping stones, concrete pavers?? I'd go with the concrete something or other with the grass, can't grow through that???!!!!!!!!!!!
Weezie
* * * * Weezie
Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it. - Bible - Hebrews 13:2
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Weezie The previous owner of this house was owner of a concrete business. NO MORE CONCRETE!!! It is nice and done with colors, shapes etc. But it is tooo hot here with all the concrete. Would love to take out sections and put trees into it but the roots would probably tear up the concrete later. Thus, the barrels with drain plugs.(remember) That is definitely not a project for me, way over my head there. Plan to do the walkway with strickly the 3/8 inch parchment pebbles that are already bought and sitting in my driveway AWAITING ME!!!! With the plastic underneath would that drain right? Really don't want to dig any deeper than I have to. Remember it is granite, granite pebbles. With all that granite you really think sand would be necessary?
Jiffymouse: I have seen that black edging stuff. Like that idea. Okay, I will take out the Burmuda after I kill it. Let me see if I understand about the sand. If I didn't put it there the rock would shift???? Catlover
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Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.106
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
Karen, Might shift, definitely won't drain well. Standing water on rocks will promote the growth of algea and moss and other very slick stuff. once you bust your butt on such as that, you can appreciate the sand!! good luck!
Seeded: 206.220.183.9
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Okay, Okay Sand is necessary. How thick a layer??? Thankx Jiffymouse
Weezie: ROFL You don't know how true that statement was! Can't help laugh or I will cry. NOT ONLY the driveway but around the RV garage and (keep going)around the house to the backside porch area and a little beyond. You are too funny Weezie.
Let me know if anybody out there in cyberspace has anymore suggestions about this path. Thanx, Catlover
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Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.106
Jiffymouse
guest
posted
Karen, from what I understand, I think about 1-2 inches is enough. Just enough to level the ground and to provide a drainage path. But if Bob will poke his nose in... He can tell you for sure. Good luck!!
Seeded: 206.220.183.9
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Karen, i think u enjoy shoveling that sh*t! I like to see a woman shoveling sh*t, builds character... just kidding...(yea, i went to a very strict university and everytime u question the purpose for doing something, they would come back and say "It builds character!"
I'm not an expert patio stone man but i have seen people lay flat rock or decorative brick down for a walk. For my own self, i prefer the rock. It gives a more natural look. Now, i've seen them lay them in sand and i've seen them lay in on a bed of dry mortar mix (when u wash the rock off, the mortar mix gets wet, sets up, and becomes hard). Like i say, i'm not an expert in this, but it would seem logical that the ground under what u are laying your walk on should be packed hard and be stable (no loose stuff--packed clay is preferable). The one disadvantage of setting rock or brick in sand i can see, would be the weeds or grass that will continually find their way thru (i prefer maintenance free). Also, sand is not stable and allows movement. Really, having a hard packed surface to place your walk on is essential. I've seen too many walks where the brick is sagging in certain places... looks really bad. I'll try to get u some more info on this. I've seen paths made just using mulch with landscaping timbers on each side.If the mulch is thick enough, the weeds won't get thru. One disadvantage would be the mulch eventually decomposes;so, u have to add more.
I've also seen them pour a concrete walk and then lay tile over it.I've seen some walks with tiny pebbles inbedded in the concrete.They add the shiny pebbles as the concrete is setting up. I'll try to get u some info on this subject because i need to do the same thing for a path to my pavillion. I'm pretty sure that i will lay rock for my path to match the rock that i have on my pavillion walls.
* * * * Bob
Plants: 640 | From: in my garden | Registered: Jan 2003
| Seeded: 64.12.96.70
posted
Went to the place where I purchased the pebbles earlier and they stated to put about an inch of sand down if I wanted. They said it wasn't really necessary because this ground is sooooo hard with granite and you can just rake the rock if it starts getting pushed around. I still like the idea of the black strip thingy to keep it out of the grass and hold a lot of the burmuda nightmare at bay. The previous owner used sunken wood as barriers around perimeter of grass line and around tree areas. He made like triangle shapes. That wood is starting to decompose so I have to make a decision what I want to do there as well not to long from now. Gosh, another project. I need to stop and finish the ones I've started. Takes awhile for the Round Up to kill so will probably spray and then wait and work on other projects. If anyone else has suggestions chime in. Even you cyperspace quiet ones out there. You can chime in we don't bite......much anyway. If I can do this anyone out there can!!!! Computer naive, Catlover Karen
* * * * Plants: 7129 | From: California | Registered: Mar 2003
| Seeded: 68.66.244.106
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. Eventually another path to a Gazebo (still dreaming).
With all that granite you really think sand would be necessary?
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