Sjoerd
Enlightened One
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Location: West - Friesland
Posts: 2530
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 9:32 am Post subject: We've Been Laying Paths |
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With all the rain lately, getting out in the beds to do weeding or other work has been impossible. However there were a couple of places in the garden that seriously needed some paths.
The moist ground was nice and soft and easy to work with, so we decided to get at it inbetween the showers.
This first path was re-done and my partner wanted a little "bend" as she calls it so that it wouldn't be straight. Well, it's not straight...that much I can say.
This path is located over in the old garden right in front of the Clematis and glads. I will be able to access the plots on the right and left easier and I am already having visions of what I will plant there come spring after the clean-up.
Next we went to the other side of the shed into what has always been a sort of wilderness back where the compost bin is located. This past spring I had cleaned it all up and made a bed and a border. The path that we made by walking naturally on the soil will now be made "permanent". It really makes getting back to the compost bin easy when I walk with huge armloads of cut plant material for the bin.
Here it is with the path first lined with bricks. The "before" shot.
You can see it a bit closer up. Sadly I forgot to take a foto of the root cloth that we put down as the next step. It was a bit of a challenge, as the path was not straight.
You can see the rolled-up root cloth at the far end of the path.
This is the "after" shot of the finished work.
A view of our work from the other end of the path.
You know, after looking at these fotos again--I noticed that you really can't tell how much work actually went into making these. Ha ha ha--but my knees, thighs and back would have a story to tell if they could speak. 
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Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
Last edited by Sjoerd on Mon Oct 13, 2008 1:20 pm; edited 2 times in total
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eileen
Moderator & Resident Taxonomist
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Joined: 07 Feb 2005
Location: Scotland (Map)
Posts: 11459
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 10:50 am Post subject: |
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SNAP!!  Ian and I have been laying paths too. We've put in new ones in the back flower beds so that we can reach all areas more easily now. It certainly makes weeding and mulching less of a task and we no longer get slapped in the face by shrubs every time we bend down to do anything.
Your paths look great Sjoerd and we both know just what you mean about sore knees, thighs and backs!! 
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Sjoerd
Enlightened One
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Location: West - Friesland
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:41 am Post subject: |
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We normally "do" paths in the spring...but we said that the reason that we do that is because the ground is moist, soft and easy to work with----but it is now TOO!
What about that, Eileen. Great minds, etc....eh?
The paths loook nice, but as you say: the real benefit is that we can more easily get to the various plots to plant and weed.
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Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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Netty
Chaotic Gardener
Joined: 04 Nov 2006
Location: Southern Ontario zone 5
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:00 pm Post subject: |
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Your paths look great Sjoerd!
A lot of times the amount of work involved in these projects isn't apparent. It is only those involved with the project that know (by all the aches and pains!)how much work it really was!
Well done!
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petunia
Highly Skillful
Joined: 13 May 2006
Location: northern michigan
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:24 pm Post subject: |
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Your paths look nice & tidy. Mine will happen next spring as we still have those holes and mounds of dirt around. Woodchips work well.
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Petunia
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toni
Mistress of Garden Junque
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Location: North Texas (Map)
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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Great paths!!! I love the bend and curves those are so much more pleasing to look at than straight lines. Besides they give an air of mystery to the path when you can't see the end of it you wonder just where you will go and what you will see when you get there.
I remember well making a couple of paths out back and how my back and legs hurt and arms too from hauling those packages of shingles around.
And I will making paths out front next month. Think I will use the wood chips out there.
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"A little Madness in the spring, is wholesome even for the King."
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Biita
Arctic-ally Challenged Forager
Joined: 31 Oct 2007
Location: Norway (Map)
Posts: 1786
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Your paths look fantastic Sjoerd and Mrs. Sjoerd!!! I agree with the Mrs, that a path that has curves to it, is so much more pleasant to the eye. Shoot as if your garden needed that to begin with (sarcasm here)
I know well what your muscles are screaming at the moment,,,lol. Been there a few times. But in all it is always worth it in the end!
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Droopy
Slug Slaughterer
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Location: Western Norway (Map)
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:28 pm Post subject: |
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Congratulations on your new paths, they look lovely!  I know how much work is involved, and pity you for your aches and pains. I think it's worth it though.
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CritterPainter
Knows Their Stuff
Joined: 27 Aug 2006
Location: Washington State
Posts: 1292
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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I love bends in paths... a little mystery. I hope someday I have a garden lush enough to have curvy paths. Yours looks like a nice cushy stroll (one the aches stop!)
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Mary
I have a mind like a steel...sieve
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glendann
Official Garden Angel
Joined: 19 May 2006
Location: Texas (Map)
Posts: 6919
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 7:46 pm Post subject: |
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I do love the way your paths wind around turns and your garden is just so great.You and the Mrs.have a wonderful garden to work in.
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kuntrygal
Texas Rose
Joined: 02 Sep 2007
Location: Lufkin, TX Zone 8
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| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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Sjoerd, we will be having visions of what your garden will look like come spring. I know it will be beautiful as the pictures you have already shown.
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Sjoerd
Enlightened One
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Location: West - Friesland
Posts: 2530
PlantStew: 93 |
| Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2008 11:49 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks to all you folks for your kind and sympathetic words...from mrs. Sjoerd as well. :)chuckle.
You are all right about the paths being nicer curved and winding. I am very happy with them all and I will be glad when ALL the paths are finished.
The results are worth every aching sinew, as you guys say.  They say, "no pain, no gain", don't they...Well, it's certainally true in gardening sometimes.
Thanks again everyone.
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Sjoerd http://www.volkstuindersvereniginghoornenomstreken.nl/Page11.html
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Public Designs
On The Way Up
Joined: 14 Oct 2008
Location: ohio
Posts: 100
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| Posted: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:36 pm Post subject: |
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I want to do a walkway from my drive way to my back deck. It will wind behind my retaining wall and my small garden on the side yard. I am trying to decide what I want to use for it. We have already done 2 walk ways and it is a lot of work!
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