I have a similar area, but in mostly shade. I removed the grass, laid down newspaper/brown paper and covered it with about 3 inches of mulch. The mulch needs to be added to each year, but, in my experience, although there are some unwanted things creeping in or up, there is not a lot and it feels great to walk on.

We have a similar strip in our (very ugly as of now) side yard, and are thinking about graveling it with a super fine gravel, maybe laying in some flagstones, too. This would look appropriate at our house because we have lots of Mediterranean plants, but I don't know if it would work for you. Our next door neighbors have done it, edging it with brick, in their cottage garden, and it looks fantastic!

I have the same thing.
I edged the garden with bottles on either side. All green. Then I threw down a little chicken grit (as we have acid soil), dug in chunks of recycled concrete for pavers and installed creeping thyme. Up against the bottles I added in a few tiny bulbs like crocus, grape hyacinth, zephranthes, species tulips, and a few alpine strawberries (which struggle as soon as it gets hot and too dry). The bulbs love this drier, baking area.
It's just wide enough for me to get in there, I can take large buckets and roll a small wheelbarrow down it in in the winter when plants are not so much in bloom and taking up space. Best of all, whole thing was free.

girlgroupgirl

I have a similar situation and went with two stepping stones, surrounded by mulch, between the 2 beds. The reason I chose that method is that I am considering merging the 2 beds into 1 big one perhaps in another year or so.

Since I have newspapers and cardboard under the mulch to smother the grass, I actually have a nice lasagna bed working should I decide to go ahead and do the merge.

Marilyn

Marilyn and BusyD, did you moisten the newspaper after you laid it down or leave it dry?

Xantippe, that sounds very pretty, but yeah, I think my gardens are way too informal. One is a cottage garden that changes somewhat every year and the other is a butterfly garden that is just starting to come into its own.

Girlgroupgirl, what a great idea. I'm really intrigued by this idea and I'd love to see a picture.

Hi:
This makes the path look wider. It isn't that wide. Maybe 2.5' wide.

{{gwi:658671}}

girlgroupgirl

A2zmom,

Definitely wet the newspapers. It keeps them from flying away and helps to compact the area that you are going to mulch.

Should I decide to do the merge at some point, all I would have to do is add dried leaves, compost, coffee grounds, more mulch and then plant.

The stepping stones/mulch path looks very natural between the beds, and also allows me to stand on the pathway and work on both beds.

Hope this helped you!
Marilyn

I was wondering how you used the bottles, girlgroupgirl! Looks very nice. I will have to start collecting them and see if I can find a place to use that idea.

I have a small urban yard, but I still need to get to the plants inside the back fence, without making a wide path that will take up too much planting room. I think I will use a few flagstones (or concrete, if I can find some) and thyme. Just enough space to have a place for my feet to go.

Thanks for starting this thread, a2zmom.

I found stepping stones at HD for about $1.00 each. They are long and narrow. I mosaic them with the 1/2 round marbles and it is so easy. Takes about 10 mins to do ONE. They would look great in a narrow pathway if you like sparkle.

Girlgroupgirl, love the way the pathway meanders between the two gardens. And the gardens themselves are beautiful! Mine are still little babies. :-)

And the marble idea is cool.

so creative, GGG - very nice - (also love the path)

Carrie

GGG - Gorgeous stepping stones w/the 1/2 marbles, but be very careful when wet. GF almost broke a bone from a fall :-(