How deep to make gravel garden path? Material types...
njbiology
10 years ago
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mad_gallica (z5 Eastern NY)
10 years agogardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Moss Pathway: What materials are needed and how to construct?
Comments (10)Steve, one thing rubs me the wrong way and that is the use of impervious material below the path. You're asking for all the water to drain off sideways via the path edge. How much difference that will make I don't think anyone can confirm, but it seems in opposition to conventional thinking about draining path bases. Usually, one wants them to drain as much and as quickly as possible. But you have an objective that is probably not in any book so who's really out there to guide you with authority? It seems like you're experimenting in uncharted territory and would be the one to share, later, how the project turns out. Just remember that if you change your mind later at some later point, it (150' path) would be a lot of stuff to undo. (Or for the next owner of the property.)...See MoreSpaced apart fieldstone path; substrate: gravel vs woodchips??
Comments (4)What, exactly, are you trying to accomplish? It sounds like you are after an alpine garden/path/drainage course, which isn't at all a comfortable mix of uses. If you have the stones, try laying out a few in the pattern you are planning, and *walk* on them. Ask other family members to do so also. Keeping to the stones isn't at all a natural gait, but takes paying attention and care with placing feet. Most people will probably end up walking on the non-stone parts of the path a great deal. And the desired fill material is not gravel. If you insist on calling it gravel, people will assume you are talking about gravel. The stones will move on a gravel base. Either sand or the material known to Agway here as Step 2. It has a lot of other names, crushed stone, stone dust, among others. It packs down to form a solid base. Woodchips do not break down into acidic soil. At least not according to the people who decompose things and them test them. Also moss isn't necessarily an acidophile. However, a soil mix of crushed stone and some of your native soil might work quite well. It just generally sounds like you need to do a lot more research into which plants you are interested in growing and what their needs are, and plan to make them a home where people won't be regularly walking on them. If all the property's drainage is going towards this object, both woodchips and stone chips are going to wash out. If you want a path, I'd plan on at least a hopscotch pattern (2,1,2), with the understanding that the plants are part of the path. If you want the area to be a planting bed, then decide which set of plants for specialized beds you are most interested in, research them, and prepare a bed for them. The current situation is total overkill for either of those plans. I'm not convinced I went deeper than 6" anywhere in my dry laid patio, and that was built with rock I dug up on the property, so they aren't dressed in any way....See MoreEnabling paths and type of materials
Comments (12)Will the person using the chair have upper body strength and is this person at all heavy? My step-father-inlaw uses a chair and can manage that sort of surface in most cases, but he was/is athletic. A really steep grade would get rutted from feet and tires wouldn't it and who will maintain it? A steep grade will keep the person who is not yet using a chair from using it also. Can the paths be winding rather than straight and reduce the grade? Or at least diagonal up the hill? A pebbly surfaced concrete would be a better choice for anything that will get lots of wear. The grade should not be more than 1 in 12 anyway. That is the standard that I have seen for ramps (a greater grade can cause the chair to tip) ... see link below. My step-father-inlaw could take a steeper grade ... but he is an exception and a path like that is best designed to code. Since this is a path not a ramp ... you may not have to follow all of what they say. Check for local regulations to be sure. Fireraven9 Come my spade. There is no ancient gentlemen but gardeners, ditchers, and grave-makers; they hold up Adam's profession. - Shakespeare, Hamlet V,i Here is a link that might be useful: ADA Codes...See MoreDare I dig away gravel beside asphalt path?
Comments (13)My custom-designed home in Maine has pink insulation on the parts of foundation that go below ground as the foundation slopes down to a beautiful water view. Pink foam insulation up here is not just for the manufactured home! I have very few moisture issues from my actual home, although strong sea fogs move through our southerly open windows to the point that it causes ink to bleed into the paper. When I consider the power of the moisture off the sea, I am grateful for that pink insulation that at least protects us from moisture from the ground. I also have gravel surrounding the house to help with water runoff, and I am grateful. We did not build this house. But, I can say that one point of great relief is the fact that the house seems to handle outdoor water very well. Mainegrammy, I would carefully examine your options before just removing the gravel. I understand your desire to turn it into garden, as I had the same desire with our current house. Considering the considerable moisture I have off of the ocean, I am extremely thankful that i do not have moisture issues with my basement. I can't give you much good advice, with the exception of "wait and see." If you just bought the house, then it would be to your advantage to live in it for a while (2 years?) until you had an idea of what happens in torrential rains, snow melt, etc., and were familiar with your particular house's surrounding. For example, I have had mold issues not from the ground, but from the moisture off the water in summers with excessive rain (2014). I have learned that if I see a huge bank of sea fog coming OR a stretch of days heavy with rain, I have two choices: clean up mildew from moisture in the outside air, or shut all the windows and keep things dry. If I shut my windows, then things stay amazingly dry. Just examples of what I have learned about my house that surprised me. Before you remove gravel, live in the house for a bit, watch and see how much it is needed. Our gravel is only really important on certain sides of the house. Wait and see what is the case for your house. Your house sounds wonderful. Wish i could see it! And, kudos for living in zone 4. I LOVE winter. You will have some beautiful snowy vistas to see. Please keep posting the New England forum. It's a great place for help and feedback! In the meantime, I'm having a hard time picturing EXACTLY what your gravel situation looks like. If the gravel extends too far into the area where you want to garden, start with a pot garden. They can look extremely attractive, and give you time to figure some things out....See Morelittlebug5
10 years agomarcinde
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