The garden path plays not only a decorative function, but also a practical one. Her design is selected in accordance with the general style of the entire site and the house. Before you equip paths on a personal territory, it is worthwhile to study in more detail the rules for planning crossings, as well as to learn from what materials they can be made so that the look is beautiful, inexpensive, and lasts a long time.

Layout of paths

When planning the placement of paths, the first thing to do is draw up a blueprint for the entire plot, on which it is imperative to display - a house, a garden, a vegetable garden, an outbuilding.

Did you know? Emperor Claudius Caesar, ruling in Rome in 41–54 n e., decorated his own garden with his own decorative ornaments. He especially liked to use pink shrubs in them, which he grew in large quantities and gave to his relatives.

When there is already a clear picture of the landscape on paper, you can begin to perform the following tasks:

1. Choose what the future track will look like - straight or winding. It is best to combine free and even forms of paths. Purely straight, well-defined paths will only be appropriate in a classic-style garden.
2. Think through relationships - Transitions should be planned where they are really needed and will look appropriate. That is, if you need to connect, for example, a shed with a garden, then you need to choose the shortest path, because heavy loads have to be transferred from one point to another. If you plan to cross the garden with a walking step, then on the contrary it is better to organize the longest, widest path. All these nuances should be immediately brought to the drawing.
3. Consider whether the entry area and entrance area will be one territory or separated from each other. In the second option, a path must be laid between these parts.
4. Consider in which direction the facade of the house is directed (towards the entrance area or garden). Usually a walkway is always organized from the porch to the fence.
5. Consider the possibility of the appearance (or may already be in stock) of recreation areas, children’s, games, sports, for barbecue, gazebos, baths, guest houses, etc. Between all these elements will have to build transitions.
6. Plan from what material the transitions will be. - It is selected in accordance with the general style of the site and the house.
7. Calculate width of transitions - the most dimensional should be functional paths, along which you will need to move most often and carry or carry goods. In total, you should consider how many people need to miss each other at the transition. For one, this figure will be between 60–80 cm, for two - from 100–120 cm. It is best to make tracks of different widths. So their functionality will manifest itself, and the site will look more advantageous.

Tracks should have smooth lines. It looks beautiful and natural. Transitions should not lead to nowhere. Each of them goes into a functional zone or goes to another path, but does not end abruptly at a dead end.

If you need to build a very long track, then it must be divided into segments. Otherwise, it will create a monotonic effect. Avoiding this will help placement along the path of the gazebo entwined with plants. The classic way to solve the problem is to transform such a road into an alley by planting different trees along it and organizing flower beds or flower beds. And if you are lucky with the reliefs, then the long way can be varied with steps of different texture, height and width. Only in this case it is necessary to take into account the age, growth and health status of family members. It is not rational to arrange the steps along the economic path, that is, if you need to drive a car to the garden, you will have to make a lot more effort.

Important! Trails between the functional areas of the site are used most often. Given this, they should combine decorativeness, practicality, and also be created from the most durable materials.

In order not to be tempted to cut the path through the lawn, borders or hedges can be arranged along the edge of the paths. When planning the paths, it is worth considering that without good drainage on the site or the location of the paths under the counterclone, after a heavy rainfall you will have to jump over puddles. In order to avoid this, it is better to place the transitions just above the general level of the site. So the water will immediately drain to the sides. If the family has children, then for them you can organize separate tracks. They are laid in parallel with adults, but made more sinuous, long, to realize children's activity. All-all the nuances described above should be made to the drawing. The more attention will be paid to the smallest details at this stage, the less errors will be made when directly laying tracks.

Types of Garden Paths

Trails are classified by the type of material from which they are made. In addition, they are distinguished by size and purpose. Transitions, in principle, always carry a certain function, in addition to decorative. The difference is that some are used more often and others less often.

By material

The suburban area can be decorated with paths, making them from a variety of materials.

Most often, one of the following 9 is used for this:

• a natural stone;
• wood;
• special road surface;
• brick;
• concrete;
• gravel;
• plastic;
• grass;
• tennis.

Of course, this is not all the materials that can be useful when arranging paths in the garden. It all depends on the flight of fantasy of the author of the project.

By size and purpose

In general, all the transitions on the site can be divided into 2 large groups: utilitarian and decorative. The first include functional and economic. Their width is completely dependent on the intended purpose. For economic trails, the width will vary from 60 to 120 cm. But the dimensions of the driveway depend on the dimensions of the transport and on average vary in width from 2.5 to 3 m. Regarding decorative trails - they are intended only for walking, they are used less rarely than utilitarian, in size vary from 60 cm to 1.5 m.

Important! In total, all the trails represent a single transport network on the site. All their axes intersect at one single point, which is drawn up in the dominant style.

By appointment, the above tracks are divided into:

• the main - are the main connecting element, have a width of 1.2 m, so that there is enough space for two people, are located in the central part of the territory, usually the one that leads from the porch of the house is so expensive;
• minor and connecting - depart in different directions from the first option, have a simple configuration so as not to create competition with the main transitions and not to disrupt the composition, these include those that go around the residential building, garden and garden.

Original footpath design options

Using various techniques of landscape design, you can create a unique composition in which a network of tracks will be beneficial to emphasize the advantages and hide the disadvantages. It is important to choose a design option that will harmoniously fit into the style, and at the same time will last the longest. You can achieve the goal through the use of various materials. But first, you should familiarize yourself with their advantages and disadvantages, as well as the rules of use.

Of natural stone and concrete

Natural stones fit well into any garden design and are suitable for laying out transitions for various purposes. With this material, the suburban area will gain an interesting finished look.

To design tracks well suited:

• granite;
• different types of pebbles;
• porphyry;
• basalt;
• marble;
• sandstone;
• limestone;
• diabase;
• gabbro;
• tuff;
• slates;
• dolomite.

You can make tracks from unprocessed stones collected independently or take sawn copies. The second option will be easier to lay, because it is already almost ready-made tiles, but the price will be much more expensive.

• Material advantages:
• long service life;
• environmental friendliness;
• high decorativeness;
• universality in use and design variations.

• The main disadvantages:
• high weight, which does not allow you to masonry on your own, and forces you to resort to the help of other people;
• quite high cost for all types of stone;
• icing in winter, which makes such crossings a little safe.

When using natural stone, it should be remembered that some rocks, such as limestone and tuff, greatly absorb moisture. Given this, every 3 years will have to be treated with a water-repellent solution. Before paving the material, a deep enough trench is made so that the track does not ultimately stand out against the general background and is even. About half the height of the recess is covered with gravel, rammed, and then make a pillow of sand. After that, they start paving the material.

The stone itself, if it is used natural, will have to grind at least on one side, so that it is smooth. It is also worth considering the structure of the material. If it is porous and easily crumbles, then you need to get a rubber mallet, and for hard rocks an ordinary hammer is also suitable. Concrete is a more practical option. It does not look as beautiful as natural stone, but it also has a long service life.

• Among other advantages of its use can be identified:
• high resistance to the effects of negative environmental factors (temperature changes, rain, snow, wind, etc.);
• possibility to lay stone or tile on top of concrete in the future.

Of the shortcomings can be distinguished high cost, t. It will have to spend a fairly large amount of sand, gravel and the material itself.

Important! When pouring concrete tracks, the entire amount of work should be performed at a time. If you make part of the path, and the next day another, then cracks will appear at the junction.

Before pouring concrete, they dig a trench. Half fill it with gravel, and then make a sand pillow. Then mix a solution of cement (M400 or M500), sand and gravel (fractions of 5-10 mm) in a ratio of 1: 2: 2. Water is added a little. Through constant mixing, you need to achieve the consistency of sour cream. The formwork must be installed along the edge of the trench so that the solution does not spread, and the path turns out as the author intended. Then pour the mixture into the recess and wait until it dries completely.

To add decorativeness, at the stage of mixing the solution, various dyes for concrete are used, or, after pouring, until the material has dried, lay stone, glass or other elements along the edge, forming an ornament.

Paving slabs and pavers

This type of material is the easiest to stack. They are suitable for decorating trails for any purpose. The path made by paving slabs or paving stones will have a finished look only if there is a border. If there is no desire or opportunity to organize it, then the calculation should be carried out flush with the ground. Then, breaking a lawn next to it, you can achieve a harmonious picture.

• Advantages of materials:
• simplicity in laying;
• Attractive external data
• high resistance to negative environmental factors;
• ability to withstand heavy loads;
• long service life.

There is only one drawback of this type of materials - it is a high cost.

Laying begins with the excavation of a trench. Then rubble is laid at the bottom, and curbs are placed. They make a sand pillow, tamp it well. After placed in a trench layer of scuffing. Next, they lay out the material according to a given pattern, constantly focusing on the construction level. At the end of the work, a sand-cement mixture (1: 1) is scattered throughout the track, rubbed into the seams, and the residues are washed off with water from the hose.

Asphalt paths

This material has good strength characteristics. Used to design any tracks. It is a very practical option.

• Of the advantages we can distinguish:
• the cheapness of such a coating;
• the ability to choose a color scheme;
• can be used to improve the appearance of a broken concrete path;
• it is easily cleared of pollution.

The disadvantage of asphalt is only one - with time it undergoes cracking.

They are laid according to the same principle as concrete. Only after a sand cushion is bitumen poured, and then gravel with fractions of 0.5–2 cm is scattered and carefully passed through a garden skating rink.

Brick usage

Brick can be an alternative to paving stones. It has the same qualities, advantages and disadvantages. This material is laid similar to paving stones. To make the track more durable, cement mortar is poured over a sand cushion.

Friable materials

This type of material is mainly used to create paths leading to recreation areas or inconspicuous transitions in the garden, vegetable garden, around the house, in other words for minor trails.

Did you know? The first borders began to be installed back in 450 BC. e. in ancient Rome. They were mounted along the road so that an edge 45 cm high was visible above the ground.

This group includes:

• sand;
• gravel;
• crushed stone;
• pebbles;
• glass fragments.

Such types of coating do not require special soil preparation, but some nuances are still worth considering. The paths are made simply bulk, but be sure to equip them with curbs, otherwise their shape will be lost. Also, in order to avoid germination of weeds, you must first carry out disinfection with herbicidal agents. If this is not done, then we will have to carry out periodic weeding. When operating tracks from bulk materials, they need to be regularly poured, that is, they settle.

• Advantages of friable coating:
• decorativeness;
• environmental friendliness;
• cheapness;
• ease of use.

• Cons of bulk materials:
• gradually settle and become clogged;
• not very comfortable for walking;
• do not withstand heavy loads.

Wood

A very colorful material is wood. It fits perfectly into the design of the eco-garden. More suitable for arranging trails that are not exposed to high loads (cars and garden tools). To arrange the transitions, you can use saw cuts, boards or special wooden tiles.

• The main advantages of this coating:
• high decorativeness;
• environmental friendliness;
• can be used in a variety of compositions;
• ease of installation;
• dries quickly after precipitation and snow melt.

• The disadvantages of wood:
• subject to destruction from mechanical stress and weather factors;
• fire hazard;
• serves no more than 4 years.

Before laying wooden material, it must be treated with boiled drying oil. Manipulation should be doubled. Further, as for all other materials, a trench is made, crushed stone and sand are poured. Then you can lay the polyethylene, and not already lay a tree. But with this approach, it is likely that moisture will accumulate under the boards. To avoid this, you need to form a semblance of a gentle arch from a sand cushion, then the liquid will drain back and forth, and will not remain on the film.

Between cuts, voids can be filled with wood chips or sand. In the future, grass will grow in these areas and will look very beautiful.

Garden parquet

Garden parquet or decking (antislip) is a square or rectangular tile with a hard or soft mount.

May be made of:

• a tree;
• plastic;
• wood-polymer composite.

It is great not only for the design of tracks, but also for facing steps. Also, similar material can be used to design areas around pools and other artificial reservoirs.

• Decking Benefits:
• resistance to moisture and deformation;
• long service life;
• original appearance;
• simplicity in installation and dismantle;
• it is well washed;
• does not fade in the sun;
• tolerates temperature changes;
• does not slip;
• absorbs heat, and then for a long time gives it to the environment.

The only drawback of this type of material is the need to periodically treat it with insecticides so that various insects do not start.

Did you know? On Earth there is a lake of liquid asphalt, from where the material is supplied to many countries. It is located on the island of Trinidad in the village of La Brea and is called Peach Lake.

Before laying the material, mark the area. Then they dig a trench, fill it with gravel, sand, and again gravel. After that, tiles are laid, connecting them through a special fastener.

Plastic paths

A material such as plastic has become quite common and is used in a variety of areas of human life. In the store you can buy ready-made parts for the design of garden paths. Plastic is more suitable for secondary, decorative transitions that are not often used.

• Material Advantages:
• can be of different shapes and colors;
• inexpensive;
• easy to install;
• it is perfectly washed;
• has a small mass.

• Among the minuses of plastic note:
• quickly burns out in the sun;
• does not withstand heavy loads.

There are no special requirements for the installation of such material. Just select it in the store and read the operating instructions from the manufacturer.

How to make tracks from improvised materials

If a small cottage is available, the tracks can be made from improvised materials. For example, for pouring from concrete, you can make a masonry of plastic covers. In principle, if finances do not allow them, you can simply push them into the ground. Plastic bottles are also suitable for these purposes. They are cut to a height of 5-8 cm. Then they are buried upside down, the resulting glasses in the ground. Such a path looks neat and impressive.

If the summer cottage has a small garden, then crossings in this territory can be organized using unusable car tires. They are cut along the edges, the straight part is unbent and laid directly on the ground. If necessary, the coating can be moved to another place. It will be the way, not only in the garden, but also on the farm, where you need to move around the area where livestock or poultry is kept. In some regions, a lot of different natural materials. So the path can be formed with needles or wood chips, cobblestones, pebbles.

The choice of borders to strengthen the edges of the paths

Arrangement of paths on the plot requires the presence of borders. With them, the look becomes harmonious, and the coating itself undergoes less scattering, cracking and other damage.

Did you know? The word "border" is borrowed from the French language. Translated, it means - "edge, border."

There are many different variations of borders. The most common of them:

1. Plastic - universal option. It is inexpensive, easy to install, durable, little susceptible to negative weather factors, presented in a wide range of appearance, color. It is installed using special pins, which are selected depending on the quality of the soil. Suitable for framing any garden paths other than stone.
2. Concrete - the most common option. It is cheap, not difficult to install. But the choice of such borders is rather meager. It is mainly used to frame paths made of concrete, asphalt, stone, brick, paving slabs and pavers. It is laid on the side or on the wide side. It is also possible to cast the desired structure yourself, using a special mold and cement mortar.
3. Metal - is one of the most durable and has a long service life. Presented in the form of ribbons, rods. They are buried in the soil by 10 cm minimum, and rise above its surface by a maximum of 2 cm. They are suitable in order to quietly strengthen the track of any material.
4. Wood - can be bought in a store or made independently. More suitable for trails made of similar material or bulk transitions.
5. Brick - usually clinker or facing bricks are used for this purpose. It is mounted on an edge, at an angle, horizontally or as desired by the author. It is used in the design of tracks of the same material, stone, asphalt, tile, pavers.
6. Stone - copes best with the assigned curb functions, is durable, has a noble decorative look. The choice of materials for such a frame is very wide. You can take an inexpensive option (sandstone, limestone) or with a more solid cost (marble, granite). In principle, if there are a lot of boulders in the region, then you can use them. This material is very easy to install.
7. "Green" - is a hedge of plants, which with their root system are able to strengthen the soil. This approach to design looks good. For this purpose, it is suitable: boxwood, cotoneaster, incense, lavender, sage, cloves, ryegrass, etc. The main thing is to care for the vegetation and regularly trim it.
8. From improvised materials - it only needs a flight of fancy. You can build a border of plastic bottles or caps, the remains of building materials (tiles, slate, chipboard).

The arrangement of the personal territory implies the existence of its own road network. You can perform tracks from a wide variety of materials. The main thing is to initially determine their purpose and make a blueprint.