Thank you. I found so many videos on garden paths that were slideshows, I did wonder whether that was what people wanted. But it wouldn't be what I wanted, so I hoped other people would feel the same.
1781!!!!? And I thought I was so cool with my 1910 bungalow. 😆. But then the US began much later and even the homes that old were made of log and most are long gone now. I would LOVE an old stone house in Britain! 💕
@@TheMiddlesizedGardenthat’s so amazing! I can’t imagine having steps that old. You wonder who all stepped on these. How special! We bought an old homestead with two acres. It’s a huge work in progress but I love it. I’m debating on pathways now. These are great ideas. One will be quite long and it’s wooded. I’ve found old yellow pottery buried here.
We are relatively a young country but we actually have log homes built in the 1800’s that still stand today and other beautiful old stone homes here. But I do love the beautiful homes and historical buildings there, especially ruins of castles. I’ve been to Europe a few times and lived there twice. Beautiful!
Thanks so much for your video! I've let my back yard go wild & have only stepping stones throughout; you've inspired me to take a look at brick or stone paths. I dislike the look of gravel for anything, but love the seashell idea. I appreciate the actual video instead of just another YT sideshow, the whys & how-tos were a helpful addition!
Revisiting this older video. As always you bring up many good points, and I appreciate that you mention concerns like free-trade and sustainability. Here in Southern California, after years of drought, decomposed granite (somewhere between gravel and sand) is used everywhere with desert-style and other low-water plantings. The common problem is that without edging, wind, rain, or irrigation moves bits onto the pavement. I have an old house (though not nearly as old as your 1700s!!! house...that's so terrific!), and am gathering used and recycled materials. Several friends and neighbors pulled up their old brick patios and walkways (popular here in the 1950s), so I've amassed a pile. Mixing materials such as stone for the center and brick for the edging can also look great. I've seen movable wood paths as well, where old pallets or other recycled wood is cut to size and attached underneath with heavy-duty nylon straps. These are great near vegetable beds, and can be relocated easily.
Thank you. I appreciate your concern for the environment and ethics. Charming presentation and gardens. Love the one with the mosaic design and different colors.
Thank you. I try to include some environmental issues when I can as they are increasingly important and I feel they should be part of ordinary life rather than something we only think about in certain areas.
Very interesting and informative video. Loved it! I created a woodland walk pathway through our shade garden around six months ago using bark mulch, which is also used to mulch all our garden beds. Firstly, I wanted a naturalistic look - as close as possible to a forest floor yet walkable. Second, I wanted a permeable surface that rain and other water could easily penetrate and feed tree and shrub roots. Third, I wanted the flexibility of being able to change the path around easily. Fourth, bark mulch does not heat up or radiate heat in summer and there is far too much heat in the garden in summer already. In winter, I find some hard surfaces such as concrete, stone, etc are cold and can look unnatural. I've had brick paths in former houses but they always end up sinking and weeds grow in the joins. I've also had bluestone pavers which are beautiful to look at but heat up under the scorching summer sun. I also dislike having to step a certain distance to get to the next paver- and then there is the issue of sealing. To seal or not to seal? Sealing makes pavers slippery when wet however not sealing encourages permanent stains from food, oil, dirt, etc. I've had a gravel driveway in another house (what we call here limestone toppings) but the stones always end up under shoes entering the house and scratching timber floors. In addition to the homemade woodland walk path of bark mulch at our current house there is also an aggregate concrete garden path that we are stuck with (for now) as it was here when we bought the house. It does absolutely nothing for the garden and I dislike it. I hope to replace it one day! Your video provides some interesting options to (re)consider when we do. :)
2 thoughts - first, the paths farther away from my house are wood chip. I get the wood chips from my local arborist who has a lot of chips from grinding up branches when he cuts down trees. I had some trees cut down and asked to have a pile of the chips left. The pile was 5 feet high and cost me nothing extra. The chips are coarser that those you get at or order from he garden center but they are great for paths. I suppose there is a chance of bringing in diseased material but I haven't had a problem. I think there are even web sites where you can request deliveries of free arborist wood chips. Of course, I'm in Pennsylvania and not sure if this is an option in other places. Second, one of the best pieces of garden design advice I've gotten is to start with the paths. I wish I could remember where I heard or read this but it is absolutely spot on. After years of thinking about trees or bushes or flowers, I now start by deciding where the paths will go. Then everything falls into place around that and the result is so much more cohesive.
Both excellent points. Yes, we can get wood chip delivered here - I'm pretty sure we would have to pay unless it's possible to come to a private arrangement. Thank you for commenting!
We just laid down a hundred feet of wood chip walkways it looks so nice. But sadly I have discovered two big issues with it. Firstly the wood chips punctured a hole in our lawn tractor tire and second our dog is eating the wood chips and throwing up. I feel like I'm going back to the drawing board. Has anyone else had these issues
This is the best video I have ever seen regarding garden paths. As I write this, it's winter, and I miss my shovel in my hands so much! From this video I have a lot to think about and thank you for showing not only options for paths but the thought process of considering each one.
Hello Alexandria. I am in the US and the weather is...odd. This winter I saw a robin and a fly! When I was younger I enjoyed my fingernails long and painted red and now, all I want is my shovel and a good chair to sit in when I am finished working in my garden. You inspire me.
I just love your channel. Ten years ago i just dropped slate/flagstone we had left over right onto the grass. They sunk in to the perfect depth in a few months. Sooo easy
Really good video!!! Thank you so much! We will be moving soon and I plan to add a path in our new garden. As we get deeper into gardening I’ve learned the importance of staying off the lawn while I’m taking my walks around the garden specially on rainy days this video helped a lot. 💚💚💚💚💚💚
Deciding on path material seems to be my biggest difficulty! They are all beautiful, I go back and forth and can't make a decision. This video was helpful - like the comment before me by Pat Pezzi - the comments were most helpful. Maybe I'll finally come to a decision.
Hello Alexandra, Thank you for this again very useful video. We have a cottage like garden in Hampshire (UK) and I would like to change it slightly to a more contemporary, but not too modern. We have a wooden cabin in the garden and a metal shed too, the main house is rendered and white, there is a brick and stone bridge over a pond and a lot of stone is used around the garden. I would like to use wood as decorative features, but I cannot work out what colour path I should go for, to make it all match. Can you please one day, talk about what colours go with what and suggestions, for people who, like me, don't know what they like until they see it? Many thanks, Carolina.
Paths certainly help a garden look like an inviting place. I like the idea of using sea shells 🐚 but I haven’t noticed it for sale locally we’re three hours or so from the coast. Only recently I’ve seen red lava available as a garden accent material. Exciting! Have a pleasant weekend. 🌼
Thank you. We googled and found a company that delivered from about an hour away. But we do live quite near the coast, so perhaps that's also a factor. I haven't seen any seashell path materials for sale in garden centres though, I think it's delivery only.
Thanks that’s useful to know. Perhaps I can find an affordable source for seashells in my region. Something to think about. Saw two grape hyacinths up yesterday. I think the warmth from the brick wall made them wake up early. 🌸
I put large pebbles down the middle of my driveway and I have tons of weeds! I had no idea that would happen. And it’s very hard to pull weeds out of large pebbles!
What is that STUNNING bright Fuschia colored plant starting at 1:51? 😍 I would love that for my garden. Can I get the common name as well as the the proper scientific name. Not sure if that's the proper terminology. I'm new to gardening. Your channel is so inspirational and informative.
Great video! I was terrified of putting down permanent pathways because if I didn’t like it, oh well, too bad for me! I used some stone, mostly mulch and some pavers that are movable. I’m glad I did because the paths change with the garden.
I've got a gravel path and circle. Spurge and grass loves trying to take over. Weed barrier is under the rocks but so many weeds lay roots over the top. One area nearby has some ground cover but spurge takes over it too. I wish moss grew on its own. In full sun in dry Colorado, that's not going to happen. If there is a low maintenance ground cover that could crowd out spurge, I'd like to know.
I really like the idea of a wooden plank pathway like the one in the slideshow at the end. Any thoughts on how that might hold up or any other pros/cons? Great video! I have a yard for the first time ever, and this is exactly the type of content I'm looking for. :-D
The one aspect to consider with wood is whether it will get slippery in winter. That means keeping it clear of moss and algae. But stone paths can also be slippery in winter.
Wonderful video. Would love to hear more about how you and your husband laid your stone path off your terrace. We made a small gravel patio last year and it was back-breaking work. Was yours as difficult? Thanks!
Thank you! We engaged professional landscapers - that might be a disappointing answer, but although my husband is more practical than I am, neither of us have the skills to lay a good path.
Dear Alexandra, what is shingle? You mention it in this video, I keep trying to understand what type of stone it is as I would like to use it in my pond as recommended by David Pagan Butler when creating organic pools.
Some people use 'shingle' and 'gravel' for the same thing, but there is some difference - there's an explanation here: www.mainlandaggregates.co.uk/blog/gravel-vs-shingle
Always check Google for free bark in your area. Many cities in the US have arborists that will bring you truckloads for free rather than having to pay to take it to a landfill. A win-win.
I don't think you can buy shells for paths at a garden centre, I got mine from a garden merchants that delivered. There's more about it in this video: ua-cam.com/video/kKZgb7DHWnc/v-deo.html What I like about it is that it's a byproduct of the seafood industry so there's no digging up of natural raw materials.
you don t have problems with many weeds and flowers growing up through the paths ? where i ve lived and in rainy sunny conditions this has been a constant problem…even growing through any layers of plastic or special cloths to prevent this…or just sprouting on top through any mulch bricks etc. etc. after years of constant weeding, pulling , , scraping…, raking, spraying roundup or natural herbicides and just letting it go till its out of control and having to redo the path better over time…we never could keep up as for this problem. thank you… now we have gravel everywhere and the shady areas aren t as bad but for the large and sunny spots we use a propane flame torch thing made for this… our flowers like you have growing in the beginning dry out so fast and mature thru the season , we have to mow them down for fire hazard… so it has been a lot of work in areas of the country where natural and foreign weeds are prolific. .
SANDSTONE: Word to the wise, In an Irish type climate, it is not a good idea. It very quickly becomes slippy and badly discoloured. When it is power hosed to revive its colour, it is too soft and chips with the pressure. Avoid ☘️
Thank you - I'm assuming you're not counting this as a slide show as it has commentary plus mixed slides and moving footage. I'm not a fan of those slide shows to music either, I don't think they tell us anything much.
I fell in love with the 'thyme walk' at Highgrove after watching a documentary. I love that it uses an odd assortment of stone but I'm sure it needs an artist's eye to get it right. Hope HRH can continue to enjoy his garden there.
Great info that I can actually use. Sweet little dog too. Thank you so much
Thank you!
Excellent. To the point. No wasted words/ time. So refreshing.
Thank you!
At last! A video on garden paths idea which is not just a slideshow with no commentary whatsoever! 👍🏆 Great as usual, thanks.
Thank you. I found so many videos on garden paths that were slideshows, I did wonder whether that was what people wanted. But it wouldn't be what I wanted, so I hoped other people would feel the same.
What a lovely presentation,and you covered so much really valuable information,it’s great to listen to someone who knows what they are talking about.
Lovely creative approaches for garden paths. I was most impressed with the paths made of multiple materials. The paths themselves became works of art.
Thank you for showing us the beautiful garden paths.
1781!!!!? And I thought I was so cool with my 1910 bungalow. 😆. But then the US began much later and even the homes that old were made of log and most are long gone now.
I would LOVE an old stone house in Britain! 💕
I particularly love our stone doorstep because it has worn down with all the feet that have stepped on it over 240 years!
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden 👍. My lowest porch step has sunk into the ground about 4". 😆
@@TheMiddlesizedGardenthat’s so amazing! I can’t imagine having steps that old. You wonder who all stepped on these. How special! We bought an old homestead with two acres. It’s a huge work in progress but I love it. I’m debating on pathways now. These are great ideas. One will be quite long and it’s wooded. I’ve found old yellow pottery buried here.
We are relatively a young country but we actually have log homes built in the 1800’s that still stand today and other beautiful old stone homes here. But I do love the beautiful homes and historical buildings there, especially ruins of castles. I’ve been to Europe a few times and lived there twice. Beautiful!
Thanks so much for your video! I've let my back yard go wild & have only stepping stones throughout; you've inspired me to take a look at brick or stone paths. I dislike the look of gravel for anything, but love the seashell idea. I appreciate the actual video instead of just another YT sideshow, the whys & how-tos were a helpful addition!
Revisiting this older video. As always you bring up many good points, and I appreciate that you mention concerns like free-trade and sustainability. Here in Southern California, after years of drought, decomposed granite (somewhere between gravel and sand) is used everywhere with desert-style and other low-water plantings. The common problem is that without edging, wind, rain, or irrigation moves bits onto the pavement. I have an old house (though not nearly as old as your 1700s!!! house...that's so terrific!), and am gathering used and recycled materials. Several friends and neighbors pulled up their old brick patios and walkways (popular here in the 1950s), so I've amassed a pile. Mixing materials such as stone for the center and brick for the edging can also look great. I've seen movable wood paths as well, where old pallets or other recycled wood is cut to size and attached underneath with heavy-duty nylon straps. These are great near vegetable beds, and can be relocated easily.
I love the look of mixed and recycled paths.
Love every presentation, Thank you for presenting!
Very well done. I'm just sorry the individual videos aren't longer! I appreciate that you hold the environmental issues in the forefront too!
This was exactly what I was looking for - thanks so much for an informative video.
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you. I appreciate your concern for the environment and ethics. Charming presentation and gardens. Love the one with the mosaic design and different colors.
Thank you. I try to include some environmental issues when I can as they are increasingly important and I feel they should be part of ordinary life rather than something we only think about in certain areas.
Beautiful ideas , garden paths have their own personality...thank you for a wonderful video ...
Thank you
Another wonderfully informative video!
Great to see different ideas!
Thank you!
Really the different types of pathways.
Very interesting and informative video. Loved it! I created a woodland walk pathway through our shade garden around six months ago using bark mulch, which is also used to mulch all our garden beds. Firstly, I wanted a naturalistic look - as close as possible to a forest floor yet walkable. Second, I wanted a permeable surface that rain and other water could easily penetrate and feed tree and shrub roots. Third, I wanted the flexibility of being able to change the path around easily. Fourth, bark mulch does not heat up or radiate heat in summer and there is far too much heat in the garden in summer already. In winter, I find some hard surfaces such as concrete, stone, etc are cold and can look unnatural. I've had brick paths in former houses but they always end up sinking and weeds grow in the joins. I've also had bluestone pavers which are beautiful to look at but heat up under the scorching summer sun. I also dislike having to step a certain distance to get to the next paver- and then there is the issue of sealing. To seal or not to seal? Sealing makes pavers slippery when wet however not sealing encourages permanent stains from food, oil, dirt, etc. I've had a gravel driveway in another house (what we call here limestone toppings) but the stones always end up under shoes entering the house and scratching timber floors. In addition to the homemade woodland walk path of bark mulch at our current house there is also an aggregate concrete garden path that we are stuck with (for now) as it was here when we bought the house. It does absolutely nothing for the garden and I dislike it. I hope to replace it one day! Your video provides some interesting options to (re)consider when we do. :)
Thank you. It's turned out to be a surprisingly complicated issue.
This is a beautiful place
2 thoughts - first, the paths farther away from my house are wood chip. I get the wood chips from my local arborist who has a lot of chips from grinding up branches when he cuts down trees. I had some trees cut down and asked to have a pile of the chips left. The pile was 5 feet high and cost me nothing extra. The chips are coarser that those you get at or order from he garden center but they are great for paths. I suppose there is a chance of bringing in diseased material but I haven't had a problem. I think there are even web sites where you can request deliveries of free arborist wood chips. Of course, I'm in Pennsylvania and not sure if this is an option in other places. Second, one of the best pieces of garden design advice I've gotten is to start with the paths. I wish I could remember where I heard or read this but it is absolutely spot on. After years of thinking about trees or bushes or flowers, I now start by deciding where the paths will go. Then everything falls into place around that and the result is so much more cohesive.
Both excellent points. Yes, we can get wood chip delivered here - I'm pretty sure we would have to pay unless it's possible to come to a private arrangement. Thank you for commenting!
We just laid down a hundred feet of wood chip walkways it looks so nice. But sadly I have discovered two big issues with it. Firstly the wood chips punctured a hole in our lawn tractor tire and second our dog is eating the wood chips and throwing up. I feel like I'm going back to the drawing board. Has anyone else had these issues
Thank you - i do like garden details and skill building; also beautiful vistas.
Thank you for sharing your videos. It would be really nice to see some more about contemporary gardens and contemporary garden design.
A helpful video that gave me an idea for our upcoming sloped project, thanks!
Thank you. Interesting ideas and plenty of food for thought. 👍
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is the best video I have ever seen regarding garden paths. As I write this, it's winter, and I miss my shovel in my hands so much! From this video I have a lot to think about and thank you for showing not only options for paths but the thought process of considering each one.
Thank you! I hope you don't find yourself with your shovel in your hand for clearing snow! We've had a pretty quiet winter at this end of the UK.
Hello Alexandria. I am in the US and the weather is...odd. This winter I saw a robin and a fly! When I was younger I enjoyed my fingernails long and painted red and now, all I want is my shovel and a good chair to sit in when I am finished working in my garden. You inspire me.
I just love your channel. Ten years ago i just dropped slate/flagstone we had left over right onto the grass. They sunk in to the perfect depth in a few months. Sooo easy
That's great.
love the slideshow with music at the end!
Thank you!
thank you ma’am...very helpful.
Thank you so much for making this video!
Glad it was helpful!
Really good video!!! Thank you so much! We will be moving soon and I plan to add a path in our new garden. As we get deeper into gardening I’ve learned the importance of staying off the lawn while I’m taking my walks around the garden specially on rainy days this video helped a lot. 💚💚💚💚💚💚
Oh, yes, we too have some bare patches where the dog has repeatedly skidded over the same patch of lawn in the wet.
Thank you for this video.
Thank you, wonderful and informative
Favorite youtube channel. Also favorite gardening channel!
Thank you!
Deciding on path material seems to be my biggest difficulty! They are all beautiful, I go back and forth and can't make a decision. This video was helpful - like the comment before me by Pat Pezzi - the comments were most helpful. Maybe I'll finally come to a decision.
Thank you!
The problem with brick: brink and cold, icy weather don't mix. Brick is very, very slick in cold, icy regions. Thanks for this vid.
Yes, I agree. Thank you for commenting
Love your presentations
Thank you!
Hello Alexandra,
Thank you for this again very useful video.
We have a cottage like garden in Hampshire (UK) and I would like to change it slightly to a more contemporary, but not too modern.
We have a wooden cabin in the garden and a metal shed too, the main house is rendered and white, there is a brick and stone bridge over a pond and a lot of stone is used around the garden.
I would like to use wood as decorative features, but I cannot work out what colour path I should go for, to make it all match.
Can you please one day, talk about what colours go with what and suggestions, for people who, like me, don't know what they like until they see it?
Many thanks,
Carolina.
Wow, some great ideas, thank you!
You are so welcome!
Love it thank you
Paths certainly help a garden look like an inviting place. I like the idea of using sea shells 🐚 but I haven’t noticed it for sale locally we’re three hours or so from the coast. Only recently I’ve seen red lava available as a garden accent material. Exciting! Have a pleasant weekend. 🌼
Thank you. We googled and found a company that delivered from about an hour away. But we do live quite near the coast, so perhaps that's also a factor. I haven't seen any seashell path materials for sale in garden centres though, I think it's delivery only.
Thanks that’s useful to know. Perhaps I can find an affordable source for seashells in my region. Something to think about. Saw two grape hyacinths up yesterday. I think the warmth from the brick wall made them wake up early. 🌸
Terrific video Alexandra - enjoyed that. Great ideas here..
Thank you!
As usual i enjoyed your video. Thankyou.🇭🇲
Glad you enjoyed it
I put large pebbles down the middle of my driveway and I have tons of weeds! I had no idea that would happen. And it’s very hard to pull weeds out of large pebbles!
Very difficult!
What is that STUNNING bright Fuschia colored plant starting at 1:51? 😍 I would love that for my garden. Can I get the common name as well as the the proper scientific name. Not sure if that's the proper terminology. I'm new to gardening. Your channel is so inspirational and informative.
Do you have any information regarding the path at 3:30? It looks like something you can buy in sections perhaps?
Great vid. I appreciate the emphasis on ethics :)
Thank you!
Thanks!
Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.
Nice!
Great video! I was terrified of putting down permanent pathways because if I didn’t like it, oh well, too bad for me!
I used some stone, mostly mulch and some pavers that are movable.
I’m glad I did because the paths change with the garden.
That does sound good. Thank you.
I've got a gravel path and circle. Spurge and grass loves trying to take over. Weed barrier is under the rocks but so many weeds lay roots over the top. One area nearby has some ground cover but spurge takes over it too. I wish moss grew on its own. In full sun in dry Colorado, that's not going to happen. If there is a low maintenance ground cover that could crowd out spurge, I'd like to know.
I don't think there is, I'm sorry to say. I've decided to embrace spurge and enjoy it.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden Thank you.
Thank you for such an informative video! Really appreciate your going through the whole thought process. Looking forward to the next one.
Thank you!
Very informative do some videos of planting shade garden paths
I will definitely bear that in mind, thank you.
I really like the idea of a wooden plank pathway like the one in the slideshow at the end. Any thoughts on how that might hold up or any other pros/cons?
Great video! I have a yard for the first time ever, and this is exactly the type of content I'm looking for. :-D
The one aspect to consider with wood is whether it will get slippery in winter. That means keeping it clear of moss and algae. But stone paths can also be slippery in winter.
Wonderful video. Would love to hear more about how you and your husband laid your stone path off your terrace. We made a small gravel patio last year and it was back-breaking work. Was yours as difficult? Thanks!
Thank you! We engaged professional landscapers - that might be a disappointing answer, but although my husband is more practical than I am, neither of us have the skills to lay a good path.
@@TheMiddlesizedGarden no worries, we don’t have the skills either 😉. It’s beautiful nonetheless! :)
Dear Alexandra, what is shingle? You mention it in this video, I keep trying to understand what type of stone it is as I would like to use it in my pond as recommended by David Pagan Butler when creating organic pools.
Some people use 'shingle' and 'gravel' for the same thing, but there is some difference - there's an explanation here: www.mainlandaggregates.co.uk/blog/gravel-vs-shingle
Always check Google for free bark in your area. Many cities in the US have arborists that will bring you truckloads for free rather than having to pay to take it to a landfill. A win-win.
Interesting!
Keep listening
Sea shells path. I’ve never seen on. ??
I don't think you can buy shells for paths at a garden centre, I got mine from a garden merchants that delivered. There's more about it in this video: ua-cam.com/video/kKZgb7DHWnc/v-deo.html What I like about it is that it's a byproduct of the seafood industry so there's no digging up of natural raw materials.
you don t have problems with many weeds and flowers growing up through the paths ? where i ve lived and in rainy sunny conditions this has been a constant problem…even growing through any layers of plastic or special cloths to prevent this…or just sprouting on top through any mulch bricks etc. etc. after years of constant weeding, pulling , , scraping…, raking, spraying roundup or natural herbicides and just letting it go till its out of control and having to redo the path better over time…we never could keep up as for this problem. thank you…
now we have gravel everywhere and the shady areas aren t as bad but for the large and sunny spots we use a propane flame torch thing made for this… our flowers like you have growing in the beginning dry out so fast and mature thru the season , we have to mow them down for fire hazard… so it has been a lot of work in areas of the country where natural and foreign weeds are prolific. .
SANDSTONE:
Word to the wise, In an Irish type climate, it is not a good idea. It very quickly becomes slippy and badly discoloured. When it is power hosed to revive its colour, it is too soft and chips with the pressure. Avoid ☘️
Not a fan of slideshows. If I want to look at images, I'll search Google. Appreciate the video.
Thank you - I'm assuming you're not counting this as a slide show as it has commentary plus mixed slides and moving footage. I'm not a fan of those slide shows to music either, I don't think they tell us anything much.
I fell in love with the 'thyme walk' at Highgrove after watching a documentary. I love that it uses an odd assortment of stone but I'm sure it needs an artist's eye to get it right. Hope HRH can continue to enjoy his garden there.
I was wondering about that too.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌿🌳🌻💛
is anything in life really ethical though? do poor people own nice gardens?
Very informative! Trump 2020!!
And 2024!
Thank you. Well done!