Planning Paths and Walkways
When a lot of people start planning out their yards, they feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. I know we've addressed this before, but I thought we'd look specifically at circulation today. Creating paths and walkways is a great way to start to structure an overall plan for your property.
Where to begin? Let me caution you first: Do not design this piecemeal. Even if you don't have the means to install and create all of your pathways at first, plan for them. You may notice where the grass is dying because everyone walks through that particular spot - that's a great clue on where to begin. Stake out the routes around your yard that you'll eventually want to install. Step back, look at them from the street, patio, deck, etc. and re-adjust. Take a look at examples of different styles here and visualize them in your yard. Clip the ones you like to your own ideabook of yard ideas. You'll start to see which plantings, architecture, yard elements and paths work well together as you go through your favorite images. I'll explain why some of these work so well, and hopefully you'll find a few that speak to you.
Where to begin? Let me caution you first: Do not design this piecemeal. Even if you don't have the means to install and create all of your pathways at first, plan for them. You may notice where the grass is dying because everyone walks through that particular spot - that's a great clue on where to begin. Stake out the routes around your yard that you'll eventually want to install. Step back, look at them from the street, patio, deck, etc. and re-adjust. Take a look at examples of different styles here and visualize them in your yard. Clip the ones you like to your own ideabook of yard ideas. You'll start to see which plantings, architecture, yard elements and paths work well together as you go through your favorite images. I'll explain why some of these work so well, and hopefully you'll find a few that speak to you.
A boardwalk made up of straight lines adds a wood element to a modern, Japanese-inspired garden. SIDE NOTE: BEWARE OF BAMBOO! Make sure you have a species that will not spread and take over acres and acres of land. This plant can be very invasive, no matter what kind of planter you have around the roots.
This is a great play between plants and stones as well as rectangles and curves. Doesn't it make you want to follow it and see what's around that corner?
Q