Page 56 - nov21

Fun stuff- pebbled pathway

Pebble or gravel paths are easy to construct, you only need a small depth
of stone, and an edging to keep the stone contained.

You can make it as wiggly as you please, although us being a fairly lazy species, don’t
expect anyone to use it if it is too wiggly. It must have a compact base - clay soils are
ideal. You can add weedguard (not plastic, which will keep water from soaking through
- providing the perfect weed environment). However even if you do add weedguard
you will need to weed occasionally as soils get blown in onto the pebbles and provide
micro habitats for weeds to grow in.

The pebbles, stone or gravel, being so movable, needs an edge to contain it.
Gumpoles, pavers and bricks work well. Make sure the stone is lower than the edging,
so that it doesn’t spill over into adjoining areas. Use fish line or garden hose to lay the
outline of your path, remove the soil to the desired depth, not too deep, otherwise
when the path is finished it will feel like you’re walking on a beach. Less depth for fine
stone; greater depth for larger pebbles.

When digging make sure you keep the bottom as even as possible. Next, smooth it
down and dampen the soil to aid compaction. Compact it either by rolling a drum
over it, or with a hand tamper. Lay the weedguard down if you’re going to use it. Put
in your edging over the weedguard, and hammer in if necessary, making sure it is
firmly in place. Fill in your pathway with your choice of stone, pebbles or gravel,
patterned or plain, rake it level, and hammer in lightly for larger stones, water lightly to
wash off any soil, and you’re done, your new pathway completed.
Text by S.C (pics by Pixabay)