How to decorate a garden path with plants on the sides. DIY inexpensive garden paths. Materials for arranging paths in the garden

garden paths are guiding threads that connect all the functional areas of the site and other elements into a single ensemble landscape design. Without garden paths, it is impossible to achieve the artistic completeness of the appearance of the garden. The choice of the configuration of paths laid across the territory of the site is carried out at the stage of landscape design. Depending on the purpose of the tracks, materials for their device, as well as laying technologies, are selected. In accordance with the classification adopted in garden and park design, paths can be decorative and utilitarian, main and secondary, hard and soft, straight and zigzag, wide and narrow. The design of the road and transport network of the section is carried out taking into account its relief, which can be even, "saucer-shaped" or multi-stage (if there are significant differences in height).

Decorative garden paths, lined with individual natural stones, bring zest to the landscape design of the garden and make it easier to admire its beauties

Division of garden paths by purpose

Among the garden paths there is a kind of hierarchy. Tracks can be primary, secondary, connecting.

• The main path is the main connecting element of the garden. The width of this path should exceed 1.2 meters, so that there is enough space for walking together.
• Secondary and connecting paths branch off from the main path to different sides of the garden. On narrow paths, the width of which is about 0.5-0.7 meters, it is convenient to move one at a time. The configuration of secondary and connecting tracks does not have to be complicated. Otherwise, these elements will enter into rivalry with the main track, which cannot be allowed.

With the help of the main, secondary and connecting paths, combined into a single road and transport network, all significant objects located on suburban area: house, garage, outbuildings, entrance area, open areas, recreation areas, artificial reservoirs.

A well-designed network of garden paths on the territory of the site allows you to freely get to any place in the garden

When designing a road network, it is necessary to adhere to the "golden" rule, which consists in the fact that the axes of all tracks must intersect at one single point. This place, which is the compositional center of the garden, is decorated in a dominant style.

Construction of garden paths

The design of garden paths is chosen depending on:

• the type and structure of the soil on the site;
• seasonal ground movements;
• groundwater level;
• the expected load on the paving;
• intensity of use (seasonal or year-round).

Because of their design features garden paths, in addition to their main purpose, are able to perform another important function - drainage. To do this, their surfaces are given a slight slope, which ensures that rain and melt water drain into the drainage layer of the base of the track. You can build a garden path:

• two-profile (middle above the edges) - water flows in two directions;
• single-profile (one edge is raised above the other) - water flows towards the slope.

Garden paths have not only a transverse profile, but also a longitudinal profile, which shows the difference in its height along its entire length (from beginning to end). The difference in height between the edges of the track in the transverse and longitudinal profile is measured in ppm. The following values ​​are allowed:

• 15-60 ppm for the cross slope of the track (depending on its width):
• 70 ppm or less - for the longitudinal slope of the track.

If the value of the longitudinal slope in any section of the garden path exceeds 70 ppm, then it is recommended for safety reasons to arrange stairs. Otherwise the path will be too steep.

With a significant difference in heights on the territory of the garden plot, a path with stairs is arranged to facilitate climbing and descending the slope

Classification of tracks by type of foundation

Any track consists of the following structural elements:

• subgrade (depressions in the ground, corresponding to the size of the track or site under construction);
• base, consisting of an underlying sandy layer and (or) a buffer gravel and crushed stone cushion of the layer. Both layers are designed to reduce the load on the subgrade, as well as to drain water from the site (drainage).

Depending on the functional purpose garden path, the type of foundation is selected. So for garden paths used during summer season, it is enough to make a sandy base. For footpaths operated year-round, the base should already be gravel-sand. Entrance roads and areas intended for parking of vehicles are built on a solid concrete base reinforced with reinforcement.

Division of paths into groups according to the type of paving

The roadbed is another must constructive element any track. According to the type of coverage, all garden paths can be divided into two groups:

• hard ( monolithic concrete, clinker brick, paving slabs, a natural stone);
• soft (pebbles, gravel, granite screenings (crumb), crushed stone).

In landscape design, combined paths are also used, which consist of sections with a hard or soft surface.

Combined paths are made of bulk materials and hard surfaces, presented here in the form of separate square stone slabs.

For laying special roadbed sophisticated technologies are used. These include green paths arranged on a geogrid or poured with decorative concrete. Most popular in suburban construction use hard paths that allow you to implement a wide variety of style solutions for decorating a garden plot. In addition, they are more practical, as they are durable, reliable, and easy to clean. Soft paths will take longer to clear of debris and repair more often, leveling the bulk material.

In a separate group, it is customary to allocate wooden coverings, made in the form of flooring, platforms, boardwalks, paths from saw cuts of wood.

Wood cuts in the design of garden paths are used in combination with objects built from logs or timber

Strengthening the edges of garden paths

Borders used to strengthen the edges of garden paths allow you to:

• increase the stability of the coating;
• protect the edges of the coating from possible slippage and destruction;
• prevent overgrowing of the path with vegetation;
• protect lawns and flower beds adjacent to paths from trampling.

The installation of curbs is mandatory for garden paths with a soft type of coating. Rigid paths are framed with curbs at the request of the owner of the suburban area.

The aesthetic value of paving garden paths

The whimsical shape of the garden paths decorates the garden plot, shading the greenery of the lawn and highlighting small flower beds from the general background.

Accounting for relief when arranging tracks

Any path laid on the site with a practical or decorative purpose must be safe, as well as convenient to use. This is possible only if the tracks are designed taking into account the features of the site topography:

• Flat terrain: secondary paths can be placed in any way (fan-shaped, as branches from the main path, other options).
• "Saucer-shaped" relief: garden paths depart with sunlight from the lowest place on the site, in which a decorative pond or gazebo is located.
• A relief with a difference in heights: on gentle slopes, zigzag-shaped garden paths are arranged, adjacent sections of which are interconnected by smooth transitions. On steep slopes, one cannot do without the installation of retaining walls and terraces, the transition to which is provided with the help of ramps and stair steps.

For the owner of a summer cottage with uneven terrain, material on strengthening slopes and slopes on the site will also be useful:

The main garden path, immersed in the greenery of trees and going into the distance, allows you to climb the terrace along a cascade of stairs

The combination of materials is the key to the completeness of the composition

Garden paths, combined in shape and color of the materials used with the decoration of the house, fences, arbors, flower beds and flower beds, make it possible to complete the composition of the garden. When designing tracks, you must adhere to the requirements of the chosen style. For example, strict assumes that all garden paths must be straight. The main path at the same time serves as a kind of axis of symmetry, dividing the garden into two halves of the same design. The sites arranged at the intersection of the tracks must also have a strict form of correct geometric shapes(circle, square).

The garden in a regular style is decorated with smooth and straight paths, drawn as if along a ruler by the skillful hand of a designer-artist.

On the contrary, it does not accept strict and straight lines. In such a garden, winding paths leading to the most secluded corners of the site will be appropriate. At the same time, each bend of the winding garden path should open beautiful view growing trees and flowers, artfully crafted ponds with streams and waterfalls, attractive recreational areas, charming sculptures and other decorative elements.

Combining styles allows you to get an unexpected result. With this mixing, the main path is made in the form of a straight line, and the secondary paths departing from it are given a free form. Paths decorated with a floral border will help emphasize the beauty of the Dutch style.

Creating a cozy and unique design personal plot, the owners, through logical reflection or an assessment of practical needs, will come to the conclusion that it is necessary to plan and build garden paths. Next question which will arise on this occasion - a variant of their paving.

Construction and decoration of garden paths

Professionals who have extensive experience in the production of paving paths and the so-called enthusiasts, who improve their sites using a variety of methods, give a positive description of the paving process that is not complicated, interesting and brings amazing results. The first advantages noted by people who have tried the paving method are the increased comfort of the created conditions, an aesthetically attractive appearance. For example, stone paths after the past rain will quickly shake and dry out, in the cold season they will not create problems when cleaning from ice and snow.

Having delved a little into the process, it becomes clear that the paved paths prevent the subsidence of the upper layers of the earth and their erosion, as well as the spread of dirt formed during precipitation over the area. Designers also refer to the pluses and focus on the fact that the paved path on the site will not only become a bright fragment of the decor, but also unite its different zones.

Making garden paths with your own hands

Experts advise - when paving the path, do not forget about the need to decorate it with a curb. It will serve as a rigid fixer for the boundaries of the path, as well as protect its edge from deformation, especially under the action of various climatic conditions. A border is not a necessary condition, but it is he who can advantageously emphasize and preserve an unusual, original way of paving for a longer period. Basically, the curb is not used only when the path is planned from natural stone various configurations or concrete slabs.

Such a fence as a curb can protrude 5-15 cm above the ground. It can be made from different building materials: from special concrete blocks for curbs, from wood or concrete, natural stone or brick. The most commonly used curb material is red brick. Mount it upside down into the ground. This edging option does not require large financial investments and special skills. If the shape of the redbrick border is planned with bends, you should prepare cement mortar, which will be needed for filling seams and embroidery.

It will be interesting to look like a border made of a pod. Podtovarnik - chocks with a curved cut, about half a meter long, about 10 cm in diameter. A crooked end is better than a straight one, because it allows unhindered outflow of precipitation, preventing rotting of the upper part of the wooden fragment. In order to maximize the life of such a curb, you need to apply an antiseptic on the chocks and wrap their lower part with roofing paper.

Making a border from natural, large, flat stone is as follows:

• the source material is laid to a certain depth and covered with earth;
• when the stones are not large enough, the curb is drawn up with the help of a solution.

In cases where a garden path is planned from slag, sand, gravel, pebbles, a curb is a must. The most durable and strongest will be a concrete curb stacked on a concrete base.

Making a path to the house

A good combination of diverse building materials(brick, tile, wood, gravel), will add splendor and originality to the backyard. All paths on the site should be elegant and practical at the same time. And those that are located directly next to the residential building must also guarantee a hassle-free and comfortable approach, and possibly even an entrance, to it in any weather conditions.

How to decorate a garden path

To make the path beautiful, you should first consider the option of decorating it. When choosing, you should consider the material from which the track is made and its color. For example, plants with flowers of a similar shade (calendula or marigolds) will fit a brick path, or vice versa, a contrasting one that would emphasize the orange tint of the material.

If the path is cement and has an inexpressive color, then the plants along it should attract all attention to themselves, i.e. they should be distinguished by the brightness of color and the elegance of form.

When decorating garden paths, you can use both perennial, annual, and perennial, but, when choosing the latter, the decor of the path will have to be thoroughly corrected and restored.

In the event that the paving of the path was done beautifully and from expensive natural materials, then it is not better to organize lawn strips on the sides of it - it will emphasize the attractive appearance and color of the material. Can be planted at some distance flowering plants- hostas, irises. At the points where the paths intersect, designers recommend equipping flowerbeds of creeping and rapidly growing plants, very good option there will be a ground cover rose.

What plants to plant along the paths

Of course, it is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to the question of what colors are best for decorating paths in the garden. The choice will depend on the style of the landscape, its color solution, from the personal preferences of garden owners. But general recommendations about this, you can still take into account.

For example, paths framed by daylilies planted along them will look very attractive. The originality of the plant composition will be given by planting a daylily in a certain order with different shades colors: burgundy, yellow, orange, lilac, the second attractive moment - different periods flowering, if you choose the right varieties of daylily, then the path will always be surrounded by flowers - until the flowering of one variety ends, the flowering of another will begin.

If a grassy border was constructed during the design of the droshky, then bushes of sedge or cereal crops, other plants with variegated leaves or decorative inflorescences can be planted along it. Brightness throughout the summer will give the track a periwinkle framing it. Irises, hyacinths, daffodils or tulips are also suitable for planting, but it should be remembered that they bloom once a season, in early spring. For example, delicate daisies will bloom throughout the summer.

Framing paths will look more interesting if you pick up plants and plant them in such a way that you get tiers. In the first of them, of course, there will be creeping or undersized:

• tenacious or stonecrop,
• periwinkle or saxifrage,
• thyme or lungwort,
• coin loosestrife, primrose.

The second tier can be formed from medium-sized crops, these can be annuals or perennial creeping coniferous plants, bergenia, high primroses.

From the tall ones, to create the third tier, you can plant lilies and panicled phloxes, astilba, falaris. You can also plant columnar conifers. The plants used in one composition should be combined in the shape and color of the leaves and flowers, the height of the tiers should be such that the plants are clearly visible and do not shadow each other.

Planting creeping or low-growing plants on uneven areas will help visually brighten up steps and potholes on the ground surface.

With a difference in ground height, the path has to be equipped with steps. You can also decorate steps with flowers, moreover, well-chosen types of them will help to make an even flight of stairs or an uninteresting flat section of the path intricately curved. This will require large, branched plants to be planted at several points, which will block the view of the continuation of the path.

You can also plant small-sized plants, which, as they grow, will roll over the edges of the path, thereby hiding all the errors made during its construction.

Making paths in the garden with flower beds

floral borders

Often, flowerbeds of certain types are used as finishes for paths. The simplest, but quite attractive dense strip of plants, called a flower border, can have different widths. It can use carpet plants, several types, growing very compactly. You can also use taller plants planted in several rows. Smaller ones are planted closer to the track, subsequent, higher rows, with proper planning, should close with them. Most often used for this purpose: marigolds, verbena, stonecrop, ageratum.

discounts

Wider and more colorful flower beds located along the paths are called discounts. The recommended width is from 0.5 m to 1.5 m. If the path is long, then the discount should be made intermittent. Such flower beds can be double-sided or one-sided. The latter are usually located near fences or walls of buildings, while tall plants should be planted closer to the walls or fence.

If the track lies in an open space, then a two-sided discount is equipped. Several types of plants used in it are planted in the form of an ornament or parallel stripes. It is also expected to select colors: white-pink, pink-burgundy, violet-yellow, yellow-blue.

In a double-sided discount, tall plants are placed along the middle line.

mixborders

Mixborders look more natural and relaxed, they are usually used to improve the area near buildings or hedges, to border paths. the width of such a mixed-type flower bed can be from one and a half to four meters, the length can be up to tens of meters. For a mixborder, you can choose about two to three dozen different types of plants, but always in such a way that their flowering period follows each other. When planning a mixborder with a width of more than one and a half meters, it is advisable to provide for the presence of a path in the middle of it, or at least a passage - it will be more convenient to take care of the flowers and water them.

Plants in the mixborder are placed in three groups - the tallest of them should bloom at the end of summer, the middle ones - in June-July, undersized perennials - with a spring flowering period, it is desirable that they have bright, decorative leaves. early flowering bulbous plants placed closer to the middle, their wilted leaves after flowering will hide the bright plants located in the foreground.

When planting perennial crops, one should not forget that over time they will grow. The space left between them in the first year can be filled with annual plants.

From how the paths will be decorated on a suburban area, its entire design largely depends. Even in such conditions when it is not possible to perform laborious and expensive work, you can choose more available options, which are developed and already tested by craftsmen.

Do-it-yourself paths in the country can be made from the most different materials by selecting suitable option from those below. For example, for these purposes, ordinary bricks or round logs, sawn from logs, round, medium-sized pebbles or ordinary corks from plastic bottles. There are also removable track options that can be laid exclusively on summer period. By the way, such tracks can also not only be purchased ready-made, but also made independently.

In any case, before laying any garden paths, it is necessary to preparatory work.

First of all, you need to schematically place a house, outbuildings on the plan, connecting them together and paving the way to the entrance gate - these will be the main paths, which you cannot do without in any case.

Then, you need to plan paths leading from the house to various areas of the site, for example, to the gazebo, pool, playground or zone.

If there is a need, then, having brought the path to the garden or garden, it is worth branching it in such a way that it is convenient to get to every corner of the site in any weather, since the lack of paths is especially unpleasant for moving on “bare” ground during or immediately after rain .

After the project is drawn up, you can transfer it to the territory of the site.

Marking on the ground

To determine the width and direction of the tracks, it is necessary to make markings on the ground. This is especially important if they are kept in certain sizes in width - for example, laid out from finished tiles or bricks.

Marking is carried out with the help of driven pegs and a cord pulled over them. To make it more convenient to visually figure out how the direction will look like, and whether the width of the path is sufficient, each border on the sides can be sprinkled with lime a little.

The best option is if, along with the path, you immediately mark the location of the plants that will frame it, since everything looks a little different on the ground than in the project.

At the planting sites of bushes and trees, which will be located along the path, you can install signs or lay out stones, and mark the boundaries of future flower beds with lime.

It must be remembered that the pit to be torn off should be somewhat wider than the path itself, since in order for it to serve for many years, it must be protected on both sides with stone or concrete curbs. Whatever material it is planned to build a track from, such a preparatory part will in any case improve the quality of work and allow the laid out track to function for a long time.

After marking, you can proceed to the preparatory earthworks.

Preparing the base for the garden path

So that the path does not crumble in a year or is not overgrown with grass with the same sad outcome, serious preparatory work needs to be done. At the same time, it must be remembered that the path should have a slight slope in one or both directions. In addition, a small trench is made in the side of the slope, into which water will drain during rain.

• First of all, from the places where the path will pass, a fertile layer is removed, 15 ÷ 200 mm thick. In order for the depth of the pit to be approximately the same along its entire length, it is necessary to control its sides with a ruler.

• Further, in order to maintain the evenness of the edges of the future path, boards are installed inside, along the entire length of the walls of the pit, but under them it is first desirable to add and compact some sand.
• If the pit is limited by concrete curbs, then their width should be 70 ÷ 100 mm greater than the height of the walls of the pit. The curbs are set according to the level, and so that they do not move, they are fixed with reinforcing bars, which are driven into the ground inside the trench, next to the curbs. The length of the rods should be from 250 to 350 mm, and this segment should be clogged by 200 ÷ 300 mm. The pin remaining above the ground will hold the curb in the desired position.

• If the walls of the pit turned out to be uneven due to excessively loose soil, then reinforcing pins will also have to be driven into the walls, and then installed, pressing curbs against them, setting them in level and also fixing on the other side pins.

• Further, crushed stone or gravel mixed with sand or cement is poured to the bottom of the pit. can be from 50 to 100 mm after tamping.

… and careful tamping to maximum density

• After backfilling and distribution over the pit, the resulting surface is periodically moistened and thoroughly compacted.

The type of material to be poured will largely depend on the total thickness of the “cushion”, on the type of top decorative coating. Also, do not forget that between the "cushion" and the top lining, most often a layer of sand should still be placed.

Varieties of garden paths for a suburban area

As mentioned above, paths can be made from different materials. It is worth considering the installation of some of them in order to accurately determine the choice of the most suitable option.

brick path

A fairly reliable, durable and aesthetic path is obtained from a brick. It is laid out, in principle, using the same technology as paving slabs or. In order for such a path to last for a long time, you need to choose high-quality clinker bricks and carry out work very carefully.

• The base for the path, with a compacted upper sand layer, needs to be well leveled using a homemade rule.

The rule is made from a board with perfectly even and smooth end sides. The board should have a length of 200 mm more than the width of the path. The corners of the bottom of the board are cut to the thickness of the brick. Upper, longer uncut parts boards will serve as a stop and limiter when leveling the sand layer.

• When the entire sand layer is leveled, you can proceed with the installation of side bricks in the path, which are installed on the edge and driven half the width into the sand with a rubber mallet.

Laying and driving in a line of "border" bricks

• If a curb is not provided in the path device, then the side bricks are fastened together with a mortar, and after it hardens and is removed, they must be fixed from the outside with reinforcing pins, and then a crushed stone bed should be arranged, which will need to be carefully tamped.
• After installing the side bricks on both sides of the path, you need to decide what pattern the middle of the path will be laid out with. The brick can be installed on the end or laid on its wide side.

• To make the masonry rigid, you need to lay one row along and the other across the path, driving bricks into the sand at the same level in height with the framing ones. However, to make the path as reliable as possible, it is advised to fasten the bricks together with a cement-based adhesive solution intended for outdoor work - this will also reduce the risk of grass growing in the gap between the bricks.

It is advisable to put the solution in such a way that it does not protrude from above, but remains inside the masonry, which means that it will not require too much.

• After the laying of the path is completed, the gaps between the bricks are filled with sand. To do this, he spills out onto the path and with a long-haired brush is distributed first over one area, then in another way - and so on until all the gaps are completely filled.

The remaining excess sand is swept off the surface with the same brush.

• Further, when the path is almost ready, the formwork from the boards is removed from its sides. On the outer edge of the path, crushed stone of the middle fraction is poured and carefully compacted, and another layer of crushed stone is freely poured on top of it.
• To brighten the color and prolong its service life, it is recommended to treat the brick with a penetrating primer, and after it dries, cover it with a varnish that is suitable for stone in outdoor conditions.

With some assumption, a variety of such tracks can be considered those that are made of thick ones. How the process takes place is shown in detail in the video.

Video: garden path laying master class

Round log path

Option number 1

To "paving" the path with columns, you need to take a dried tree of one of the hard species. Round logs should have a flat surface, so they must be cut very carefully.

Then the surface of the stumps is cleaned and leveled.

• For the construction of the path, logs of different diameters are taken, so that it turns out to fill the space of the pit as densely as possible.

The height of the round timber should be twice the height of the walls of the pit, counting from the compacted gravel, that is, the columns should rise above the surface of the soil located around the future path by 100 ÷ 130 mm.

• When the log blanks are prepared, it is necessary to treat their lower part with an antiseptic that will protect the wood from biological pests and the negative impact of ground moisture on it.

This is best done by placing the stumps in turn in a container with liquid and leaving for 3 ÷ 4 minutes. The rest of the surface is simply applied with a wide brush. Before installing the paths in the pit, the round timber is thoroughly dried.

• After drying, the hemp is dipped into the "Kuzbass varnish" for a few seconds - it will perfectly protect the wood from moisture. However, the disadvantage of this composition is that its structure is destroyed by exposure to ultraviolet rays and overheating. However, if it processes only the lower part of the stumps, which will be closed by the wall of the pit, sand, geotextiles and gravel, then such detrimental effects do not threaten.

A conventional heated tar can serve as a substitute for varnish, which, when cooled, forms a fairly dense film on the surface of the stumps - it is not afraid of any heat, nor sunlight.

• Prepared round timber from trunks of different diameters begin to install on the rammed at the bottom gravel pit as follows:

- A small amount of sand is poured to the transverse wall of the pit at the beginning of the path.

- Then, the first row of round timber is installed. It must be well sized so that it fits as tightly as possible.

- Sand is poured between the logs to the level of the top of the walls of the pit.

“Such cyclical manipulations continue until the end of the path.

• Along the edge of the path, a sandy border is filled up and compacted.

Option number 2

Another option using round stumps, which is arranged in combination with crushed stone or gravel.

In this case, only the curb is mounted from the stumps, and the remaining stages of work with the removal of soil, the embankment of sand and the installation of stumps to the walls of the pit are carried out in the same way as a path completely made of logs. The process goes in the following sequence:

• At the bottom of the pit, a "cushion" of sand is poured and rammed;
• Then, along the edge of the future path, stumps are installed, which are driven into one level and sprinkled with sand. Sand bedding is compacted directly near the bottom of the stumps;
• After the borders of the logs are completely laid out, geotextiles are laid on the entire surface of the track, the edges whom bend on stumps by 80 ÷ 100 mm;

• The next step is an embankment of gravel or medium fraction crushed stone directly on geotextiles;

A mound of gravel is distributed over the entire area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe track in an even layer. If necessary, the layer is increased, since it must be equal in height to the level of the soil of the entire area.

The gravel layer should become the second retaining wall for the stumps in the curb.

• If the top of the stumps have a different color, but you want to achieve harmony in the design of the track, then they can be covered with paint intended for external work, and the shade in this case is selected to the taste of the owner of the site.

Path made of round river stone

For those who value originality - a mosaic path made of river stone

Paths with amazing curls are obtained from Altai river stone, which has bluish hues, from very light to dark blue-gray. To make such a wonderful path, you need to prepare round and oval smooth stones different sizes, clean sand, rubber or wooden hammer, cement, sponge, level, and, of course, water.

The preparatory work takes place in almost the same way as with the construction of a brick path, but with slight deviations.

The whole process begins with the sorting of stones, as they come with a small marriage. If the flaw is not too large, then it can be hidden by turning the stone straight side up.

After going through the stones, you need to choose a pattern that is suitable in size to the width of the track, the base for which has already been prepared. If a suitable one was not found, then it can be easily compiled on your own, using squares as a basis for drawing, into which curls-shells will fit perfectly.

Option number 1

• The drawing from the sketch is transferred to the prepared base. The curl must be placed in the marked square, and it is desirable that this square has from all four sides of the sides, which prevent the mosaic from falling apart.

Since the base is made of crushed stone, the markup can be done with lime.

• The next step is to mix sand with cement, approximately 3:1 or 4:1, add water and make a thick mixture, from which a side is laid out according to the marking, having a width equal to the length of the pebbles. The strips are arranged in small sections to make it easier to equalize the stones in them.
• An oval stone with rounded edges is folded into a small path - it is laid on the side and slightly pressed into the solution.

If the solution has already hardened a little, then to align all the stones, you can tap on them with a rubber mallet.

• When one of the strips is laid out, its evenness must be checked using the building level - there should not be strong protrusions above the general level of the track.

• So, looking at your sketch, row after row, they lay out a similar stone mosaic. It can be used as small oval smooth stones, with their installation on the edge, and round, if they fit well into the pattern being created.

• In addition, you can use different shades of stones, for example, laying out one stripe with light stones, the other with dark ones, or making a smooth color transition.
• Depending on the conceived pattern, the stones can be installed in height. The main thing is to keep constant control with the help of the level.

• After one of the parts of the mosaic is laid out, it is watered with a spray bottle. This will not only strengthen the curing mortar, but also wash away its excess from the surface of the mosaic.

• So, dividing the drawing into separate parts, gradually, in accordance with the sequence thought out in advance, lay out the entire plane reserved for the mosaic. As a result, it should be densely filled with stones.

Option number 2

Another option can be called simpler, since the stones are immediately laid in leveled wet sand, without the use of cement.

However, so that the created composition does not crumble ahead of time, it must be laid out in a limited space. For this, installed borders with temporary partitions can serve, since the mosaic is laid out in parts, or a kind of formwork made of boards, which is removed only after compaction of each of the parts.

• So, curbs, as well as temporary partitions, which will limit the area of ​​work being carried out, are set up and leveled on a base with compacted gravel.
• Further, wet sand is poured into the resulting form, compacted and leveled with a rule. The height of the sand cushion should be 20 ÷ 30 mm lower than the sides of the curb or formwork - it is at this height that the stones will remain on the surface, and the laid mosaic will need to be aligned along the curb.

Lines are drawn on the leveled sandy surface along which the stone mosaic will be laid out.

• It is more convenient to lay out the stones not one at a time, but immediately fold them into a path and, tapping on top with a rubber mallet, deepen to the desired level. If necessary, the sand must be additionally moistened.

When carrying out work, the height of the stones must be constantly monitored using.

• Having laid out a certain section of the mosaic, until the sand has dried, you need to once again walk over the entire surface with a rubber mallet, and then you need to pour more dry sand or a mixture of sand and cement on top. The excess of such backfill must then be immediately brushed off.

• After complete drying of the laid surface, you can once again walk over the surface with a brush.

After a few hours, the sand will compact and sink a little between the stones. After that, you need to repeat the procedure with backfilling and splashing.

• After the next drying of the mosaic, all the stones are washed with a wet sponge.

• The entire composition is wetted with water every day, for a week - this is necessary in order for the track to “gain rigidity”.
• If work in progress for the installation of mosaics in open space, then in order to avoid blurring it with rain, at night it is best to cover the entire composition with thin foam rubber. It will allow water to pass through, but will not allow sand to be washed out.
• If the work was carried out in the formwork from the boards, after the completion of the masonry and its temporary fencing, it is necessary to strengthen the path by lining it with stones or bricks in the form of a curb.

concrete walkway

For a concrete path, marking is carried out in the same way as described above, and then excavation is carried out along the marked area.

Then, sand is poured to the bottom of the pit, which is moistened and compacted. The final thickness of the compacted layer should be 60 ÷ 70 mm.

Crushed stone is poured on top of the compacted sand, which also needs to be compacted.

A reinforcing grate is installed on the rubble, which will make the path much stronger.

Then, you can do one of two ways, depending on which track you want to get.

1. If a flat surface should be obtained, then a thin one is made, with which the formwork is poured.

- In the case when concrete is poured into the space between already installed curbs, then the rule will need to be made independently, and it must have the same basic form as the one described in the section on sand leveling when constructing a brick path.

- The finished track is reinforced with iron. To do this, dry cement is scattered on a still wet surface with a thin layer, which is immediately gently rubbed with a grout. You can also use commercially available hardening topping mixes.

2. If the path is planned to be made using a form that helps to imitate stone laying, then the concrete mixture is poured into the formwork in two layers.

- The first layer is poured to half the height of the formwork and is also leveled using the rule. In this case, a coarse mortar is used, consisting of cement and gravel. The surface should turn out to be fairly even, and in order to achieve this, it is recommended to install beacons of the desired height, and equalize the concrete along them.

- After the concrete has set, a mold is set on its surface and filled with a thin mortar. It aligns with the surface of the form. The form poured with concrete is left to harden for 3 ÷ 5 days.

Figured shapes for a "paved path" effect

If there is only one form, then the work, of course, will be carried out for too long, therefore, when using such a technology, it is desirable to have at least two similar forms at your disposal. It should be noted that with their help you can arrange not only paths, but also the floor in the gazebo, the area near the gate or near the garage.

Video: an example of using a form to fill a "paved" path

Cover garden paths

Very interesting option tracks - it turns out that it can be made from caps from ordinary plastic bottles. Thanks to their bright, varied colors, they can be used to make various ornamental patterns that will help decorate the landscape of the garden.

The only difficulty that will be encountered on the way of the master who decides to make this work will be the collection required amount these "mosaic elements" of the future track.

Having decided to do this work, you need to start collecting covers in advance. While the process with boron is going on, you can think about which pattern to choose for the track and draw up a rough sketch of it.

You should not wait until the required number of covers for the entire length of the path is fully assembled. Having collected a certain number of them, you can begin to mount elements of the future canvas from them. For example, to assemble the fragment shown in the photo, you will need only 19 covers.

A large number of covers are usually found in the summer on the beach. And by the way, you can get three benefits from the collection process:

- at least a little to clean the sand of the beach from foreign objects;

- breathe fresh air while walking along the beach;

- get absolutely free material for the manufacture of the track.

• To connect the covers in the desired pattern, you will need a “gypsy” needle, an awl, always with a wooden handle, and a large amount of fishing line. A wooden handle is needed due to the fact that the awl will have to be heated on fire so that holes can be easily made in the lids for fastening them together.
• Holes for the passage of the needle are pierced from the sides of the covers, as shown in the photo above.
• Gather first individual elements, according to the prepared sketch , and when several of them are ready, they are interconnected.
• The work on assembling the elements of such a track is quite long and painstaking, but it does not require T ore-intensive preparation of the base associated with earthworks or concrete work.

In the presence of material and the necessary diligence and patience, it is possible to “pave” quite large areas

• When the rug from the covers is completely ready, the place for it is prepared as follows:

- marked space for installation, spilled with weed control;

- then, a prepared mat of covers is laid on it;

- so that less soil gets on the surface of the track during operation, it is recommended to install a border of brick or stone along the track;

- for this, the upper soil is removed to a depth of about two-thirds of the brick, and then the space of the trench is half filled with sand, into which the brick is set at a corner and the brick is tapped. The side gaps between the soil and the brick are also filled with sand, which is moistened in advance.

Prefabricated paths made of plastic plates

Mobile garden paths can be laid quickly, without arranging a foundation for them, using special plastic panels.

From them you can assemble a path of any width, as they have fasteners that will allow you to connect them both along and across.

Connecting elements, which are large enough, give the structure rigidity, since every two plates are fastened in two places and serve as a kind of stand-legs.

The advantage of such slabs-panels is not only the speed of installation, but also the fact that their surface is absolutely non-slippery, such tracks can withstand quite large loads, they are very durable in operation.

For the manufacture of plates, frost-resistant plastic is used, which well withstands not only low temperatures up to - 35 ÷ 40, but also high temperatures up to + 45 ÷ 50 degrees. However, leaving such a garden path for the winter does not make much sense - if desired, it can be quickly and easily disassembled, stacked and sent for storage to one of the outbuildings. The tile will not take up much space, and in the spring, the path will not be ore in the shortest possible time to lay it out again anywhere on the site.

The tile has a very convenient size for working with it - it is 570 × 570 mm wide and 570 mm long, and its thickness is 22 mm.

In addition, the convenience of such a tile also lies in the fact that water does not accumulate on it, since there are longitudinal holes on the surface.

By the way, on winter period you can lay out a rug from such a tile in front of front door- its surface is corrugated, which means it will not allow slipping and getting injured.

This option for arranging garden paths does not require much effort for installation, since tiles can be laid both on and on the soil surface. If grass begins to grow through the holes in the tile, the path can be easily moved or disassembled, and after getting rid of the grass, collect it and put it back in place.

"Garden parquet"

"Garden parquet" - quite expensive the type of material that they are used not only for laying on the site, but also for decorating floors in gazebos, on verandas, terraces and balconies.

Expensive, but very cool - "garden parquet"

It has characteristics similar to plastic plates. This option is great for laying on garden paths - "garden parquet" is also quickly assembled and disassembled, as it has special fasteners for this, which have their own specific features.

Fastening tiles "garden parquet"

Detailed panels can have a different arrangement of the elements that make up its drawing. They are laid on a compacted gravel mixture or fine crushed stone.

Laying "garden parquet" will never take long

Such a “parquet” is made from wood treated in a special way and does not react to the usual external “irritants” - it is not afraid of moisture, direct Sun rays, temperature changes, biological effects. However, in addition to wood, for the manufacture of "garden parquet" (relatively inexpensive models), special plastic is used, which perfectly imitates natural wood. It is clear that the second version of the parquet tile is much more accessible to the average owner of the site.

So, there is a very large number of suburban paths. After careful consideration, you can always choose the right one for the price, design and complexity of doing all the work yourself. Therefore, if the time comes for planning a site, you need to carefully consider all the nuances and calculate your strengths and capabilities.

Video: A variety of options for garden paths

The owners of home gardens, who are firmly convinced that garden paths exist only for ease of movement, are not only deeply mistaken, but also deprive themselves of the opportunity to enjoy the amazing design of a dramatically transformed area, complemented by scenic paths. However, creative people with aesthetic taste do not miss this chance and try to turn the garden path into an object of pride. How do they succeed, and what are the main options for decorating paths in the garden - you can find answers to all your questions in the article.

What you need to know before you start decorating garden paths?

Before you start arranging, and even more so decorating garden paths, you need to recreate the project of future paths with due scrupulousness, mentally or on paper, and do it better at the design stage. country house. This will be a great way to carry out advance zoning. garden area, allocate space for the most important objects and elements of the landscape. However, if the country house was built a long time ago, and all the objects are located on the backyard, you should not despair and worry about the missed moment, on the contrary, it is better to take care not only of the convenience of movement along the garden paths, but also of their appearance. When designing and decorating garden paths, it is important to consider the overall style of the site.

The design of garden paths at this stage is gaining more and more recognition and can already rightfully be called a very fashionable field of landscape design, which not only helps to test your imagination, but also allows you to become the owner of a delightfully designed garden that can become the pride of the owners. A wide range of modern decorative materials and design options allows you to create exquisite works of art in the garden, which are characterized by ornate forms, multiple forks and height differences, as well as a wide variety of materials. In general, there are no restrictions, the main thing is that the finished paths are not only convenient in their daily use, but also harmoniously fit into the landscape design space.

Decoration of garden paths with flowers: borders and mixborders

The decoration of garden paths with flowers is very popular at all times. One of the most famous and available ways is the arrangement near the paths of the curb of plants.

Such borders are a narrow strip of plants, the width of which is not more than 20-30 cm, characterized by one- or two-sided arrangement.

To make the tracks look most beneficial, it is enough to use one or two rows of decorative crops.

It is important to consider that for arranging a border located along the edge of the path, it is important to choose the right decorative plant varieties. Firstly, preference should be given to low-growing crops, and secondly, it is important that the selected plants are characterized by one varietal affiliation, otherwise incompatible varieties may lead to the death of one of the crops.

Thus, the best option will be the following cultures:

1. Spirea dwarf;

2. Potentilla Dahurian;

4. Lungwort;

5. Marigolds;

The actual way to decorate the path to the house with the help of flowers is the creation of mixborders or the so-called mixed flower beds, which are characterized by an oblong shape.

Often, they combine both annual and perennial crops. In exceptional cases, mixborders include shrubs, dwarf trees and even climbing plants. In order for mixborders to please the owners with their flowering throughout the entire warm period, it is recommended to use varieties with different growing seasons and flowering periods, then flowering crops can alternate one another. The layout of the mixborder is no less painstaking work than the selection of the crops themselves.

The complexity of the arrangement of varieties is complicated by the fact that for the proper development and vital activity of plants it is necessary to follow certain rules, the observance of which will become the key to an enviable mixborder that blooms all summer. According to these rules, tall plants are located in the background, the next row is reserved for medium-sized crops, and closer to the path itself, it is desirable to plant undersized plants or grass.

The strip between the mixborder and the lawn can be sown lawn grass, which will be no less original solution.

Decorating a garden path with mixborders is a rather bold decision, since picturesque flower beds require constant care, which can be very difficult without a minimum knowledge of floristry. But, despite this, mixborders have been and remain one of the most picturesque options for landscape decoration of garden paths.

The main methods of decoration: wooden saw cuts and mosaics

One of the most affordable ways to design a garden path is decorating with wooden saw cuts. Despite the restrained design, such a garden path looks very impressive. A source of additional originality can be crushed tiles or small pebbles, which can fill the space between the cuts.

However, if you want to see something more refined on your site than a path made of wooden saw cuts, a mosaic will come to your aid as another way decorative design garden paths. Using ordinary river pebbles or decorative gravel, you can recreate the most intricate patterns that will become real masterpieces.

It is necessary to approach the choice of material correctly: the patterns laid out from small elements of approximately equal size look the most elegant. However, if the track is characterized by an impressive width, experts do not recommend giving preference to a small mosaic. Instead, designers are advised to choose larger paving elements or combine material in one compositional solution. various sizes.

An advantageous compositional solution would be the combined use of large stone and pieces of ceramics or bricks, as well as stone chips. The joint use of flat stones and smaller paving elements is also practiced.

An original solution for decorating garden paths with mosaics is to recreate mosaic waves, reminiscent of a cool stream that tends to make its way through picturesque flower beds.

Original decorations. What to choose?

Fans of Japanese gardens will like the following way of decorating garden paths.

You can build such a track from ordinary wooden planks, however, it is necessary to focus on the details, namely the elements located between the boards.

It can be white stones of various sizes and fluffy dark green small bushes that will play in contrast.

For lovers of original design solutions Those who care about the preservation of the environment will like the idea of ​​decorating paths with glass bottles. For a more harmonious design, it is desirable to choose a material of the same color and size.

In addition to the above options for decorating garden paths, there are many ways to diversify the ordinary. appearance such an obligatory element of a personal plot as a garden path.

Everything that was discussed in the article is just the most common methods that you should not be limited to. In this case, everything is in your hands, and you can give preference to the most unusual design ideas. It can be luminous stones, which are gaining popularity, and stepped brick paths, made in a checkerboard pattern, and alternation of dark stones and colored pebbles ...

There are many options, you just need to follow your imagination!

It is called creeping hops, beer hops, curly hops, bitterness... This powerful and beautiful vine has everything to be useful to man. Hops are revered by many peoples of the world, it is a symbol of fertility, strong economy, prowess, happiness and longevity, it is depicted on coats of arms and coins. But many summer residents are not at all happy with him. Hops tend to grow rapidly, inhibiting growth cultivated plants around you. But is it really necessary to fight it?

Pork with eggplant - a delicious stew with vegetables and spicy rice is easy and simple to cook for dinner or lunch. It will take about half an hour to cook, so this recipe can be categorized as "if you need dinner quickly." The dish turns out hearty, fragrant, spicy. Turmeric colors the ingredients in a beautiful golden yellow color, cloves, cardamom, garlic and chili pepper add savory notes to the dish. Choose lean meat for this recipe.

Seed propagation in the garden strawberry familiar to us, unfortunately, leads to the appearance of less productive plants and weaker bushes. But another type of these sweet berries - alpine strawberries, can be successfully grown from seeds. Let's learn about the main advantages and disadvantages of this crop, consider the main varieties and features of agricultural technology. The information presented in this article will help you decide whether it is worth giving her a place in the berry.

Despite the confusion that has accumulated over the past decades with the name "Christmas cactus", one of the most recognizable and colorful forest cacti, epiphyllums remain everyone's favorite. Leafless, with flattened stems, strikingly abundantly blooming, hybrid epiphyllums with their hanging shoots and delicate flowers do not require particularly difficult care from the owners. They can become the most colorful flowering succulent plant in any collection.

Merchant buckwheat with meat and pumpkin is a simple recipe for a delicious dinner or lunch. I advise you to bring it to readiness in the oven, although you can also on the stove. Firstly, it tastes better in the oven, as the buckwheat is steamed, it becomes very tasty, and the meat is tender. Secondly, the hour that it languishes in the oven can be spent on yourself or communicating with loved ones. Perhaps many will decide that buckwheat with meat is an ordinary dish, but try to cook it according to this recipe.

Often at the sight beautiful flower we instinctively bend down to smell its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by nocturnal butterflies) and daytime, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the grower and designer, because we often walk in the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners with the onset of the evening. We are never put off by the fragrance of our favorite fragrant flowers.

Pumpkin is considered by many gardeners to be the queen of the beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, useful qualities and a rich harvest. Pumpkin contains a large amount of carotene, iron, various vitamins and minerals. Thanks to the possibility of long-term storage, this vegetable supports our health. all year round. If you decide to plant a pumpkin on your site, you will be interested to know how to get the largest possible harvest.

Scotch eggs are amazing! Try to cook this dish at home, there is nothing difficult to prepare. Scotch eggs are hard-boiled eggs wrapped in chopped meat breaded in flour, egg and breadcrumbs and deep fried. For frying, you need a frying pan with a high rim, and if you have a deep fryer, then it's just great - even less hassle. You will also need deep-frying oil so as not to smoke the kitchen. Choose farm eggs for this recipe.

One of the most amazing large-flowered tub cubanola Dominican fully justifies the status of a tropical miracle. Heat-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique bells of flowers, cubanola is a fragrant star with a difficult character. It requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, the best (and more chocolatey) candidate for the role of indoor giant cannot be found.

Chickpea Curry with Meat is a hearty hot dish for lunch or dinner inspired by Indian cuisine. This curry is quick to prepare, but requires pre-preparation. Chickpeas need to be pre-soaked in large quantities cold water for several hours, preferably at night, the water can be changed several times. It is also better to leave the meat in the marinade overnight so that it turns out juicy and tender. Then you should boil the chickpeas until tender and then cook the curry according to the recipe.

Rhubarb can not be found on everyone garden plot. It's a pity. This plant is a storehouse of vitamins and can be widely used in cooking. What is not prepared from rhubarb: soups and cabbage soup, salads, delicious jam, kvass, compotes and juices, candied fruits and marmalade, and even wine. But that's not all! A large green or red rosette of plant leaves, reminiscent of burdock, acts as a beautiful backdrop for annuals. Not surprisingly, rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.

Today, experiments with non-banal combinations and non-standard colors in the garden are in trend. For example, plants with black inflorescences have become very fashionable. All black flowers are original and specific, and it is important for them to be able to select suitable partners and a position. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to the range of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.

3 delicious sandwiches - cucumber sandwich, chicken sandwich, cabbage and meat sandwich - a great idea for a quick snack or for a picnic in nature. Only fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and a little spice. There is no onion in these sandwiches, if you wish, you can add an onion marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches, this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, it remains to collect a picnic basket and go to the nearest green lawn.

Depending on the variety group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground, is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, medium ripening - 55-60 and late dates- not less than 70 days. When planting seedlings of tomatoes at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly extended. But success in obtaining a high-quality crop of tomatoes also depends on the careful implementation of the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.