Increasingly, the dacha is becoming a vacation spot for family and friends. The plots are equipped with houses and outbuildings, recreation areas and flower beds. Space is also allocated for a vegetable garden, which acquires decorative qualities. All objects are connected by a communications network - paths. They allow you to avoid dirt, create convenience for agricultural work, walks in the fresh air, and are elements of a unified landscape design of your backyard area. Let's get acquainted with the basic techniques for beautifully and competently arranging pedestrian paths for a summer residence.

What are they for?

Paths differ in their functional purpose. Depending on this, certain materials are used; the width and laying technology depend on the purpose of laying the path. There are several main functions of communications in the country.

Entrance from the gate to the porch of the house

This is the front area of ​​a private or country house; it is used most often. A wear-resistant material with good decorative qualities is appropriate here, which should be combined with the style of the main buildings, copy the material of the base, and have a sufficient width (from 80 cm to 1.5 m) to easily pass each other when two people meet or ride a bicycle to the house. A flat surface is required.

When choosing a material for the main entrance path, preference is given to paving slabs, concrete slabs with decorative design, and natural stone.

Connecting the house and outbuildings

For this variety, the coating material chosen is strong and durable. It is better to make paths straight (for example, for ease of movement with a wheelbarrow when carrying out gardening work). The width varies from 80 cm to 1 meter. The surface of these paths should be smooth, non-slip, and convenient for use in rainy or snowy weather.

In addition to the above materials, you can use more affordable concrete pouring into the formwork. For better wear resistance, it is reinforced with metal mesh. Artificial stone has proven itself well. It is much cheaper, is not inferior in performance to natural materials, has a lot of colors and imitates different structures.

Walking

I make walking paths from lightweight materials: wood, sandstone with intervals of ground cover plants or sand, mosaic concrete slabs. These paths can be covered with pebbles, sand, and tree bark. The width of the paths varies depending on the distance from the main communications and is calculated based on the size of the entire area. If possible, it is necessary to provide a width of 1 meter for walking together. To create a flair of mystery and romance in special corners of the garden, a standard tile size of 35-50 cm is allowed. Any curved shape that emphasizes the topography of the soil or the zoning of the garden is welcome here.

Natural materials in the landscape look natural and harmonious.

Paths between beds

Their function is to limit the accumulation of dirt during gardening work and organize space for vegetable plantings. These paths are made 50 cm in size; the material used can be very diverse (from rubber tires to board coverings on logs). It is not at all necessary to make a sand and gravel cushion under these paths: most often they are simply laid on the ground. When redeveloping the beds, it is easy to move these paths to a new location.

When arranging stationary high beds, the paths are covered with crushed stone, laid on black acrylic insulating material. This material isolates them from weed germination, while moisture freely passes deep into the soil. Paths made of fine gravel look aesthetically pleasing and last a long time. Paths in a dacha with different functionality can be designed in the same style, using the same material, changing only the width and shape of the paths. It all depends on the preferences of the owners, the size of the plot and the price segment of landscape work.

Selecting a location

An important stage in the improvement of a summer cottage is the road and path network around the cottage and the surrounding area. At the first stage of planning, future paths are traced. There are two approaches to tracing: if the building exists or the site is just being developed. In existing buildings, they focus on well-trodden dirt paths between objects. These paths are taken as a basis, applied to the site plan, given a technological size and the desired curvature, or straightened a little for ease of use, without disturbing the vector of the path itself.

To develop a new site, the necessary and desired paths are drawn on the plan. It's better to make two or three options. Using these plans, they navigate the area, walk along these routes several times, and evaluate the ease of movement. Changes are made depending on the terrain or taking into account economic needs and the location of communications. In both cases, there are common factors that affect the trace.

The necessary utility paths are planned first:

• from the gate to the porch of the house;
• from home to outbuildings;
• to the garden area.

These communications are subject to the same requirements, the main ones being:

• wear resistance;
• sufficient width for the passage of small garden equipment;
• ease of cleaning from debris or snow;
• non-slip coating;
• no sharp bends.

Additional paths are needed to connect with the recreation area or access to remote corners of the summer cottage.

The load on them is not as large as in the first case. Decorative and useful qualities do not require straightness or a particularly flat surface. Paths can be made from scrap materials, using the inclusion of natural elements. They are often given a deliberate curvature to lengthen the route or examine certain landscape compositions. The width can also vary.

After tracing and determining the width of the transitions, the relief is studied. To protect against the formation of puddles on the surface, it is necessary to maintain a slope. The soil in some areas will have to be added. In others, choose to level the top layer. If the terrain of the site is textured and has large differences in height, it may be necessary to install stairs or remove a large amount of soil with the installation of retaining walls to prevent soil from falling onto the path. In some cases, it is necessary to change the location of the path to bypass relief depressions or protrusions in order to avoid a large amount of excavation work.

Next, the drainage arrangement is taken into account. For solid paths on a cement base, a transverse slope from the middle to the edges is used to drain water. The middle is made slightly higher, and the finishing material is laid in an arc towards the side edges. The slope must be at least 15 degrees. Paths with more sparse laying of finishing material on the ground, sand or crushed stone have natural drainage. When installing a curb, it is necessary to lay special stormwater systems under the road surface.

The next planning stage is to create a decorative effect. The communications network is not only of practical importance, but is also an element of landscaping of a personal plot.

Simple concrete paths are practical enough, but a network of gray, boring straight lines is unlikely to please the eye. They should be given some curvature, for example, a sharp turn over a hill can open a beautiful flower bed.

Paths can be a means of visually changing the parameters of a site. A narrow elongated section will look wider with a path in the form of a sinusoid across the section. For a short section, it is better to place the coating material along the track surface. This will visually lengthen the area. The transverse layout of the material will visually reduce the distance.

The color scheme of the finishing material is selected at the planning stage. Here you need to rely on the basic colors of the environment. A house surrounded by dark green coniferous trees will require gray, dark stone paths or finishing in the color of dried pine needles. The paving pattern plays an important role in the overall perception of the landscape. For example, cottages decorated in a rural style can be decorated with brick or homemade mosaic paths. Children will love the soft rubber tracks made from tires.

Planning ends with drawing up an estimate for the purchase of materials. Calculate the length of the canvas, multiply it by the width and get the required amount of finishing material. It is worth considering land work: will it be carried out independently or will it be necessary to attract equipment and specialists. For cement-based paths, take into account the presence of a 10-15 cm sand cushion, layers of crushed stone, and a cement-sand mixture in a ratio of 1: 6 (for laying slabs). If the paths are made of different materials, estimates are drawn up separately for different types of coverage. This is justified, since resource savings can be achieved using a simplified approach to the arrangement of secondary paths. To do this, consider the types of garden paths.

Types of garden paths

Garden paths are divided into two types: hard and soft.

Solid

Hard coverings are made of brick, concrete tiles, clinker stone, flagstone, paving stones. Such coatings are used in car parking areas, in the entrance area, on the main alleys of the site, between country houses.

Hard surfaces are chosen for paving recreation areas and some paths.

A special base is prepared for them.

The soil is selected to a depth of 25 cm, the bottom of the trench is compacted manually or mechanically using a vibrating rammer. For the manual method, a special tamper is made from a log with a nailed transverse bar instead of handles. The bottom of the trench is lined with geotextiles to isolate weeds. A layer of sand (5 cm) is poured, after compacting, a layer of crushed stone (from 5 to 10 cm) is laid on it, compacted and covered with sand.

After this, they spill water so that the sand fills the voids between the stones well. After drying, sprinkle with sand again in a layer of 5 cm, followed by a layer of cement-sand mixture (5 cm). Finishing material (natural stone, brick or slabs) is laid on this layer. They are compacted and filled with cement mixture. Sprinkle with water and cover again with cement mixture until the desired level is reached.

Soft

The soft covering on the paths is made of crushed stone, sand, wood, bark, rubber, marble chips, and pebbles. Such paths are for walking, although they are also used for tending the garden. Grass and rubber surfaces are optimal for children's playgrounds. For soft finishing material, there is no need to prepare a complex trench before installation. Here it is enough to remove the soil to a depth of 10 cm, compact it, cover it with geotextiles to prevent weeds, add 5 cm of sand and lay the finishing material.

From paving slabs

Paths made of paving slabs have a universal purpose. Laid on a cement-sand mixture, they will serve excellently on the main driveway due to their high performance qualities.

The tiles, placed at some distance from each other with a grass cushion in between, will create a clean, dry path in tune with the natural landscape.

Pedestrian paths in a dacha can be beautifully combined from different materials; the main thing is to take into account the overall design style of the site.

Styles

The same finishing material in a certain context can be a participant in retro styles and the most modern trends in landscape design at the same time. If you want to create a garden in a certain style, you should adhere to the following rules.

• To design the site Mediterranean style choose pebbles, tiles and sand. Country style goes perfectly with natural wood flooring. Forest areas are landscaped with paths made of stone, cobblestones and wood cuts. It looks interesting to use crushed bark to fill paths.
• Modern especially loves floral decor and rounded smooth lines. Eco-style prefers paths made of sand and stones, covered with fine gravel (without curbs, almost invisible in the landscape).
• Wood and stone– traditional materials used for centuries to equip paths. Today they are given special attention.

Country

Eco style

A striking example of a combination of a variety of materials is industrial style hi-tech in landscape design. It combines glass and metal, concrete and plastic, water and stone. These materials can be arranged randomly or symmetrically. The main thing is the presence of a clear geometric pattern. The paths are strictly straight, the turns have a strict pattern. The coating avoids texture, the color scheme is restrained and monochrome. The most popular coatings are made of concrete and marble filling with inclusions of glass elements edged with metal. The aquatic environment is presented in an original way in this technological design.

The design of the paths has the same striking uniqueness. Japanese style. If the high-tech style sharply distinguishes the natural environment and the human environment, the Japanese style includes humans in the natural landscape. The finishing materials here are natural stone and wood, plants and streams. The paths are combined with bridges and recreation areas in a classic Japanese style.

Great importance is attached to natural stone. The stone has a deep philosophical meaning and is a symbol of original ethnic design. The entire garden or a separate section of it is decorated with appropriate plants. The paths have smooth curves, the surface is decorated using pebbles, crushed stone and flat boulders.

The width can be arbitrary: from very narrow paths for contemplative solitary walks to wide dry rivers. Flat and smooth paths are combined with yielding rapids boulders.

From the same materials you can create completely different style solutions for decorating your dacha area.

Let’s take a closer look at what materials can be used in the construction of country communications.

Materials

Different materials are used to make paths.

Flagstone

Traditional options for designing paths at the dacha are natural and artificial flagstone. The stone has a maximum wear resistance coefficient; it is one of the most durable materials. It is not exposed to seasonal temperature changes and has the necessary roughness, which ensures no slipping. Has a huge palette of colors. It is better to choose the color to match the color of the house or base: this will compositionally unite the house and garden.

Laying flagstone does not require special skills; this work can be completed without the involvement of special workers. Prepare the ground for the hard surface, laying the stone with a small gap (like a mosaic).

The stone covering does not require a curb; any bend in the trajectory can be made.

The width of the path can be easily changed smoothly along its entire length, which gives a natural look to the entire appearance of the garden and yard.

There are several types of natural stone: slate, quartzite, granite, sandstone, shungite. Stone with spaces filled with turf grass creates a warm and comfortable transition through the area. The disadvantages of this paving include the high cost of the material. For a budget option, it is better to use paving slabs.

Paving slabs

Paving slabs are not inferior in strength to stone. There are concrete and ceramic tiles. It may have a pattern, then it is laid out in the form of an ornament. This is a very colorful coating with excellent performance qualities. Manufacturers offer surface-painted or fully colored tiles (in the first case, the top layer may wear off after a few years).

For the parking lot and the front alley, vibrocast tiles are used: they are more resistant to loads; for paths, vibropressed tiles are more appropriate. Tiles are produced in the form of bricks, diamonds, and coils of different colors. Smooth edges allow you to install a border that can be matched to the tone of the main pattern. Paving is carried out using hard surface technology with a wide variety of patterns.

Clinker brick

A durable hard surface is clinker brick. This material is not afraid of moisture, has an interesting range of colors and is designed specifically for paths. It can be filled with a cement-sand mixture. Another way is to fill the top layer with soil and sow grass seeds, however, caring for this coating is more labor-intensive (you will have to remove weeds and sow grass in places where there is abrasion).

You can lay out various patterns from brick, just like from parquet blocks.

Decking

A special garden wooden parquet - decking - has been created for road surfaces. For its production, particularly hard wood or plastic is used, simulating various types of parquet wood layout. Decking is produced in the form of slabs or individual planks, which are laid out on a prepared base in a specific pattern. The sections have dimensions of 35 x 50 cm or 50 x 50 cm, due to special fastenings they are connected to each other, they are placed on special supports. This connection allows you to model the path according to the terrain of the site.

You can assemble the parquet flooring yourself. Using decking boards to design paths made from natural or polymer materials will not break the budget. Decking requires the preparation of a base made of concrete screed or sand and gravel cushion. Garden parquet requires thorough care; it must be protected from moisture and regularly impregnated with special compounds. Particularly valuable wood species need to be dismantled for the winter.

Concrete

You can make a hard road surface yourself from reinforced concrete. Prepare a sand and crushed stone bed. A metal mesh is placed on it. The formwork is installed and filled with cement-sand mixture. The top layer can be decorated with pieces of old ceramic tiles and broken dishes. The result will be a kind of colorful mosaic.

An original pattern can be laid out from multi-colored caps from plastic bottles into not yet hardened cement. True, you will have to make an effort to collect them. However, the result will be bright and exclusive. If a river flows nearby, the surface of the concrete path can be lined with pebbles or shells.

Various patterns and natural colors of the path will decorate your summer cottage.

Modules

If there is a lack of finishing material, it is worth casting separate concrete slabs. It is worth preparing a pillow of the size for the base, making formwork in the ground and pouring it with concrete, the top will remain to be decorated according to your taste and the availability of material. Combining materials gives an excellent effect: this breaks the monotony of one finishing material. At the same time, high performance qualities are maintained.

The advantages of modular tracks are the variety of shapes, the possibility of decorating them with improvised materials, adding color using tint. Modular tracks are easy to repair by replacing modules. They can be made gradually, lengthening the track as needed. Simple rectangular modules look stylish against the background of the lawn.

Plastic

Plastic garden paths have become a new offer on the finishing materials market. They immediately gained popularity due to their ease of installation, ease of maintenance and low cost. Colorful plastic coverings are sold in rolls or modules, which are assembled like a construction set. This type of coating is not as durable, but it performs well against dirt. Even a pensioner can lay roller paths on his summer cottage.

Plastic modules are indispensable in the garden or playground; they are easy to move to the right place or put away for the winter.

Gravel and crushed stone

Soft paths in the garden plot are covered with gravel and crushed stone. For the base, dig a shallow trench, compact the bottom, lay geotextiles and fill with crushed stone or gravel. It is better to install borders here so that small pebbles do not spread throughout the area. This type of path looks especially impressive when using gravel of different colors.

Rubber

Budget-friendly and comfortable paths are made from rubber mats. Rectangles of thick rubber are placed in the right place - and the path is ready. It does not slip, it is pleasant to walk on it barefoot, as it is warm even in cool weather, light and durable, and will last for several seasons. Often in this case, rubber tires from old wheels are used.

To do this, the side parts of the tire are cut off, the resulting ring is cut and straightened into a track. On one side it is smooth, on the other it has a tire texture. You can use both sides. Aesthetic qualities leave much to be desired, but such paths perform the practical function of protecting against dirt well.

Tree

Traditional wooden paths in the country are environmentally friendly, inexpensive and beautiful. You can use leftover boards or wooden pallets from transporting building materials. The pallets are of sufficient width, the blocks consist of identical processed boards. They can be laid out along the route, but their service life will be short-lived and some boards may break and pose a risk of injury. It is better to dismantle the pallets, prepare a trench from crushed stone or concrete, lay boards on top of the logs, secure them with self-tapping screws and treat them with special anti-rotting agents.

Paths made from wood cuts look beautiful. They cut down stumps 10-15 cm high, prepare a trench, and fill in a sand cushion. Hemp impregnated with an anti-corrosion compound is installed in the trench, the gaps are filled with sand or small crushed stone. Such paths are appropriate in coniferous landscape compositions.

Bottles

A path made of bottles will be a unique solution for garden communications. The principle of the device is similar to the previous version. Only instead of stumps they install bottles filled with sand. The glare of light reflected from the glass creates a pleasant shine.

The trench for the path can be lined with bricks left over from construction. It is worth remembering that red brick is susceptible to moisture. After a few years it will have to be replaced with a new one. Preparation for installation is done as for a hard surface.

Paved paths made of paving stones or cobblestones are the most preferred options for creating a hard road surface. These materials are durable, wear-resistant, and their decorative qualities make it possible to use paving in the front area.

Masonry schemes

There are many options for laying paths. Creating them is a fascinating process.

At the same time, for the best result, it makes sense to turn to the basic schemes that professionals adhere to:

• Linear-angular diagram. The bars are laid with their ends to the edge of the longitudinal side. It turns out to be a “herringbone” at an angle of 90 or 45 degrees.
• Linear with shift. Classic form: the bars are laid in a row, the second row is installed with a seam in the middle of the long side of the first row, while the outer bars are shortened by half.

Linear-angular scheme

Linear with shift

• Multi-colored tiles are laid in a checkerboard pattern.
• The “braid” is obtained by alternating longitudinal and transverse tiles.
• The end arrangement of the bars is used to mark the boundaries of a path or pattern.

When choosing a laying method, you need to know that the transverse arrangement of the tiles visually shortens the length of the path (and vice versa). A “herringbone” at an angle of 45 degrees visually compresses the space, a “herringbone” at an angle of 90 degrees expands the track surface. The easiest to install patterns are herringbone and braided. They are convenient to use when working with regular-shaped bricks or rectangular tiles.

The stone can be laid “seam to seam” or “in a run”. In the first case, the edges of the ends are aligned, in the second they are shifted by a certain amount. Laying "in a run" gives an interesting picture of movement in a wave or diagonally. Alternating longitudinal and end parts of the stone are used. This technique creates “Gothic”, “Dutch” masonry, “well” or “cross” masonry. The most difficult is the “radial” masonry. Its implementation is best left to specialists.

Marking

The initial stage of arranging paths is marking the route. To do this, fill the contours of the future path with chalk or sand along the entire length and required width. The width is set slightly larger than the size of the path itself for installing formwork, curbing or installing a drainage system. They study the route again, assessing the convenience and adequacy of the path width. It is important to take into account the view that opens from the path and think about where the water supply and electrical cables will run.

To do this, they walk along the future route several times, visually representing the size of adult plants along the path, so that as they grow, they do not interfere with traffic, and the roots do not destroy the road surface. The path should be at least 2 meters away from large trees. If there are no green spaces yet (or they have not yet grown), the contour of the crown in an adult state is outlined with sand. Dimensions can be found in plant growing reference books.

It can be difficult to imagine a particular plant in the future. Then use the following technique. Place large stones, boxes, or drive a stake at the planting sites (this will help with visualization). After approval of the route, the paths begin to lay out the finishing material.

How to post?

To save material resources, many landowners build a pedestrian network in their dacha with their own hands. This process consists of several stages.

Digging a trench for the path bed

Based on backfilling, soil is selected to the required depth:

• for hard surfaces 25-30 cm;
• for filling by 10 cm.

The bottom of the trench is leveled and checked to the construction level so that there are no holes or bulges. It is necessary to monitor the general slope of the path for water drainage (5 degrees). If it is not possible to provide this slope, provide for slopes of the finishing material sheet itself towards the sides (5 to 15 degrees). The bottom of the trench is compacted with a log with a nailed plank or a mechanical tamper.

Preparing the base

Sand is poured onto the bottom in a layer of 5 cm for hard and soft surfaces. Compact, check the level of the horizon and slope. Next, crushed stone is poured with a layer thickness of 5 - 10 cm. You can combine these two components and immediately fill the bottom with a sand-gravel mixture. Next comes another layer of sand 5 cm thick. Everything needs to be thoroughly watered and left to dry for several days. Finally, they carry out a final check of the level and add sand in the right places - and the base is ready.

Laying finishing material

Stone, tiles or bricks are laid out on the compacted top layer of sand according to the chosen pattern. If you lack experience, it is better to first lay out a small part of the pattern on the ground, and then lay it out on the base. Flagstone, cobblestones, paving slabs can be laid on a cement-sand mixture or concrete. Bricks and paving stones - on sand.

The technology for laying on concrete is similar to indoor tiling. In the second case, sand and sand-cement mixture are poured onto the base in a small layer. The covering material is tightly laid on them and compacted, regularly pouring sand or mixture on top, swept with a brush, spilled with water, and sand is added again until the seams are completely filled.

If it is necessary to install a curb, it is installed before work begins on the construction of the base for the walkway. For backfill paths, the technology is simpler. Here you can use the option of laying it on a concrete screed with a curb or on a sand-gravel mixture. For narrow garden walking paths, a simplified version of the construction of paths made of brick, gravel, sand, concrete or paving slabs is used.

Every person who has a country plot wants his dacha to be equipped and well-groomed.

The Internet is full of articles with various options for landscaping summer cottages with photos of beautiful garden paths, but it is not clear how to do it all yourself.

Designer services are quite expensive, but at the same time I would like your garden to be somehow different from others. Original garden paths will give any garden an original look.

DIY garden paths

Arranging a plot of land with garden paths will not require large financial expenditures, especially if the dacha has materials suitable for this.

You just need to use your imagination and carefully examine the contents of the attic and other places where suitable elements for making paths can be stored.

There are a huge number of options for garden paths; the choice depends only on the taste and capabilities of the owner of the dacha.

How to make a garden path with your own hands

The easiest way is to make a gravel path. To make it, you will need:

• Pebbles or expanded clay;
• Geotexile or compacted film;
• Sand;
• Edges made of wood or concrete (sides) for paths.

First you need to think about the design of your garden paths. The path should be conveniently and harmoniously located.

To make a high-quality track, all steps must be performed step by step:

• Make markings for your future path. If you plan to make it twisty, then draw all the twists.
• Dig in wooden blocks or concrete sides on both sides.
• The top layer of turf should be removed along the entire length of the path to a depth of approximately 15-20 cm.
• Geotextiles or thick film are carefully laid along the path, the edges should be placed under the sides of the path.
• The cleaned surface is covered with a 5 cm layer of sand. After which the sand is leveled.
• The prepared surface is covered with gravel.
• The gravel is compacted using a roller or a regular shovel.

Garden path made of natural stone

Natural stone is one of the best natural materials. It fits perfectly into its surroundings.

Stone paths are the most durable. This allows them to maintain their appearance for many years. To make such tracks you will need:

• Crushed cobblestone or rubble;
• Some sand.

Garden paths made of natural stone

Marking the path is the first thing where work should begin.

You need to remove the turf from the entire area intended for the path. The depth depends on the size of the largest stone for the path.

Fill the area of ​​the path with sand, and then begin leveling. The thickness of the sand layer should be about 10 cm.

The stones are laid out on the sand. It is necessary to press the cobblestones into the thickness of the sand.

You can leave gaps between the stones into which soil can be poured. Many people sow this land with small grass.

Note!

If the stone is not very large, then intervals of 2-3 cm will be sufficient. In the future, these seams can be sealed with cement mortar.

Concrete garden paths

In order to make a concrete garden path, you can use a garden path mold, which is a plastic frame. This is a very convenient device that greatly simplifies the entire process.

Materials required for a concrete walkway:

• Sand;
• Crushed stone or gravel;
• Water,
• Cement.

How to prepare a place for a concrete path?

This path is prepared in the same way as a gravel path. But the trench for it should be wider in comparison with the size of the finished path - about 20 cm.

• Remove excess soil from the trench and compact the bottom.
• To secure the formwork, use wooden pegs located along the length of the path on both sides.
• Crushed stone 5-10 cm thick is poured into the bottom. These figures should not be exceeded.
• To prevent the concrete from cracking in the future, the formwork is reinforced with slats. The slats are installed transversely every 2.5-3 meters.
• Next, a form for concreting is placed on top.
• The form must be filled with cement solution as evenly as possible, without leaving empty spaces.
• After finishing one section of the trench, move on to the next, covering the finished gap with plastic film to prevent debris from getting on the fresh concrete.
• After two weeks of waiting, the formwork must be removed.
• The remaining areas between the slabs can be filled with soil or grass can be planted there.
• Those spaces that remain from the trench on the sides are filled with pebbles or lined with bricks.

Wooden paths for the garden

Wood is the most readily available material for the construction of garden paths. The rich variety of colors and textures of wood allows you to give free rein to your imagination.

Note!

Wooden garden paths can be created from treated boards or from simple tree cuts. The methods of laying such paths are slightly different from each other.

Path made of stumps

Wood or hemp cuts can be used to create original paths for your garden. When making such tracks, follow the step-by-step instructions:

• The material for laying a garden path must be treated with an antiseptic, since the tree does not tolerate contact with damp soil. Treating wood with 10% copper sulfate will increase the protective properties of wood. Bitumen is used for the same purposes. You can purchase material that has already been treated with an antiseptic.
• Mark the area of ​​the path and remove the top layer of soil.
• Dig a trench 30 cm deep.
• Place film or geotextiles along the entire path.
• Cover the film with a ten centimeter layer of crushed stone.
• A layer of sand is applied to the crushed stone, which must be moistened and compacted.
• Now you can lay out the cuts. The remaining gaps between cuts can be filled with earth or gravel.

A path made from boards is prepared in the same way as a garden path from tree cuts, only the boards are laid vertically.

Whatever option you choose, it is important to carry out all work on the garden plot with a good mood and inspiration.

After all, a dacha is a place to restore mental and physical strength. Every corner of its area should please the eye and inspire new ideas.

Note!

Photos of garden paths with your own hands

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Merchant style buckwheat with meat and pumpkin is an easy recipe for a delicious dinner or lunch. I recommend finishing it in the oven, although you can also cook it on the stove. Firstly, it tastes better in the oven, as the buckwheat steams, becomes very tasty, and the meat turns out 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 cooking it according to this recipe.

Often, when we see a beautiful flower, we instinctively bend down to smell its fragrance. All fragrant flowers can be divided into two large groups: nocturnal (pollinated by moths) and daytime, whose pollinators are mainly bees. Both groups of plants are important for the florist and designer, because we often walk around the garden during the day and relax in our favorite corners when evening comes. We are never overwhelmed by the scent of our favorite fragrant flowers.

Many gardeners consider pumpkin to be the queen of garden beds. And not only because of its size, variety of shapes and colors, but also for its excellent taste, healthy qualities and 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 plot, you will be interested in learning how to get the largest possible harvest.

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

One of the most amazing large-flowered tubs of Dominican Cubanola fully justifies its status as a tropical miracle. Warm-loving, slow-growing, with huge and in many ways unique bells of flowers, Cubanola is a fragrant star with a complex character. It requires special conditions in the rooms. But for those who are looking for exclusive plants for their interior, a better (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 some prep. The chickpeas must first be soaked in plenty of cold water for several hours, preferably overnight; 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 prepare the curry according to the recipe.

Rhubarb cannot be found in every 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! The large green or red rosette of leaves of the plant, reminiscent of burdock, acts as a beautiful background for annuals. It is not surprising that rhubarb can also be seen in flower beds.

Today, the trend is to experiment with unusual combinations and non-standard colors in the garden. 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 location. Therefore, this article will not only introduce you to an assortment of plants with slate-black inflorescences, but will also teach you the intricacies of using such mystical plants in garden design.

3 delicious sandwiches - a cucumber sandwich, a chicken sandwich, a cabbage and meat sandwich - a great idea for a quick snack or for an outdoor picnic. Just fresh vegetables, juicy chicken and cream cheese and a little seasoning. There are no onions in these sandwiches; if you wish, you can add onions marinated in balsamic vinegar to any of the sandwiches; this will not spoil the taste. Having quickly prepared snacks, all that remains is to pack a picnic basket and head to the nearest green lawn.

Depending on the varietal group, the age of seedlings suitable for planting in open ground is: for early tomatoes - 45-50 days, average ripening - 55-60 and late ripening - at least 70 days. When planting tomato seedlings at a younger age, the period of its adaptation to new conditions is significantly extended. But success in obtaining a high-quality tomato harvest also depends on carefully following the basic rules for planting seedlings in open ground.

The design of paths in a dacha can greatly influence the design of the site. Therefore, it is so important to pay attention to creating beautiful paths.

Moreover, you can make an interesting path from various materials, for example, a brick path will look elegant, and a path made of round logs of natural wood will add mystery to the country house design; a path made of river pebbles will look stylish; a path made of plastic corks will highlight the original design and make it brighter.

In addition, there are ready-made removable panels that can be laid out each year to your liking.

Country path project

Before you start laying a path, you need to create a terrain plan in which you identify all the buildings, garden plantings, flower beds and schematically mark the path. The drawing must also include auxiliary objects, such as an irrigation system.

When creating a plan, you need to take into account all the nuances, so you should be as comfortable as possible when getting to any place in the garden. In addition, you need to take into account the fact that you need to walk around your territory in any weather conditions and at any time of the year.

Now the completed project must be applied directly to the site.

It will be easier to determine the width of the path and its direction if you apply markings directly on the site, which is especially important for paths made of paving slabs or bricks.

It is best to make markings with pegs, which you must first drive in and then pull the rope along them. Also, for convenience, the side border of the path can be marked by sprinkling it with lime.

It is important to consider that removing the top layer of soil to lay the path should be wider than the path, because for reliability and durability it will require curbs made of durable materials such as concrete or stone.

Preparatory work

In order for your garden path to serve you faithfully for many years, you will need thorough preparation.

So, you need to take into account that the path should have a slight slope, and in the area of ​​the slope you need to make a drainage trench. This is necessary so that rainwater drains from the path and excess moisture does not damage the coating.

The thickness of the removed soil should be 15 ÷ 200 mm. After this, in order for the edges to remain even, it is necessary to install boards along the entire perimeter of the dug hole from the sides.

Then a “pillow” is made; gravel is poured into the hole along with cement and everything is compacted and moistened. The “pillow” should have a thickness of 50-100 mm.

Types of garden paths

There are a lot of materials that can be used to make an excellent country path.

Brick path. This path is reliable, durable and looks very elegant in appearance.

Wooden path. This path looks beautiful and even mysterious; the round timber laid out in the form of an ornate path resembles a fairy tale path.

Stone path. Those who want to see a stylish and elegant garden path on their property can try a mosaic version made from river pebbles.

Cement path. This path is durable and reliable. To make it attractive, you can use special shaped molds, thereby getting the effect of a paved path.

Garden path made of plastic covers. A rather unusual, but at the same time bright version of the path in the form of a mosaic of multi-colored plastic bottle caps.

The presence of a large number of colors and the availability of material allow you to create a path with a variety of patterns that will make the landscape of your site a real work of art.

Plastic prefabricated path. This type of track can be quickly and easily installed and, if necessary, changed and even removed.

Thanks to the embossed surface of the plastic panels, it is convenient to walk along the path, because it does not slip, even if it gets wet. A large assortment of plastic products will allow you to choose a garden path of any color and shape.

In addition, using slabs you can make a path of any shape and width. The plastic design allows you to organize a path in any part of the site.

Another advantage of such a path is that, thanks to its structure, moisture will not accumulate on it, water will flow out through special holes.

Garden parquet path. This material is expensive, but its advantages outweigh the desire to save money.

Thus, “garden parquet” can be easily assembled and disassembled; wood treated with a special solution is not susceptible to moisture, fading, or temperature changes, has strength and durability, and besides, such a path will look luxurious.

Photo of garden paths on the site

Private households can be symbolically divided into the following types:

• functional;
• economic;
• walking

The name of each speaks for itself. The path from the gate to the house most likely belongs to the first group.

An example of a gravel path from the gate to the house

It is needed to move from the entrance directly to the home and vice versa, and is a necessary component. Without it, it will be difficult to approach the house. Utility paths are workarounds near the house or approaches to other structures.
Walking tours can serve as intended for relaxation and long-term movement across various areas in order to admire the picturesque landscape.

After erecting a residential structure on the site, you need to think about laying such a necessary component as the entrance path.
Its configuration can be straight or winding, and this will depend on many components:

Original wooden path for a summer cottage

• the presence of other buildings and plantings;
• availability of additional ;
• relief.

All paths need to be planned in advance, then you can clearly imagine what shape the main one will have.

Terrain features

The landscape of the surrounding area also influences the location of the path. If you are lucky and the terrain turns out to be quite favorable, you need to get your bearings and choose the appropriate design, width, and size of the route.

Dimensions

The main paths are usually made wider than the others. They must fit at least two people. We must not forget that in some cases it will be necessary to roll a garden cart, walk with a bicycle, and also take into account any other moments of life.

Paths in the country house of various sizes

The size of the path for one person can range from 40 to 80 cm, for two – from 100 cm or more.

When considering the design of the path from the gate to the house, it is necessary to take into account individual wishes:

What is the best material to choose?

When choosing material for the main track, it is desirable to achieve harmony and, if necessary, budget savings. The design of the route should fit into the overall style of the yard and look good with the fence.

In addition to being compatible with the surrounding design, the selected material must be practical, durable, easy to install, and have an acceptable cost.

Natural stone

Paths made of natural stone are currently considered the most reliable and easy to use. They can be:

• from marble;
• from labradorite;
• granite;
• basalt;
• from limestone;
• sandstone;
• from natural stone - flagstone;
• imitation stone.

The routes laid out from light or dark stones can be of various shapes, and they look elite. Working with such material requires certain skills. Stone paths planted along the edges will look bright.

The process of laying a path made of natural stone

However, the disadvantages of this material are: significant cost, with high humidity the appearance of a sliding effect, and in winter - the formation of ice.