Where should I put my path?

Purpleandpinks

Hi there,

I've posted on here before that my path causes me quite  a lot of stress in that it is in the wrong place and it takes up a large portion of the best growing position in the garden. When we first had it put in we knew nothing about gardening and simply put the path where the old one was. 

Anyway, I'd like to put a matching curved bed on the left but what about the path. I've been through so many options, where would you have it? We would like to keep the grass nearest the patio, in some capacity at least, thinking a circle?

Would like to screen off the large section (where the current bed ends). 

Thank you if you have read this all! 

Purpleandpinks

Here are some ground level pics.

Hostafan1

I'd lose the grass altogether and have a very lazy S shaped path through the middle of billowing planting.

JennyJ

I agree with @Hostafan1 , but a D-shaped grass area might work if you're keeping that lovely bed next to the patio. Something like this ('scuse dodgy drawing skills). You could plant something tall to the right of the path at the end to screen off the bottom area.

Purpleandpinks

Thank you so much for drawing that @JennyJ! So kind of you.

This is very similar to my favourite design, only I curved the path back through the edge of the patio bed. I had not considered the planting between the bed and the path though, that's a really good suggestion. Grass wise, we just want a patch to sit in a deck chair, or on a blanket (and to put the washing line up in!) What material were you thinking for the path? I was thinking brick, but gravel might be a better option?

Thank you also @Hostafan1! I like your suggestion too, I just think I want to retain the little patch of grass for very occasional summer picnics! Though as you can see it's in bad shape! 

JennyJ

TBH I assumed you would reuse the existing path material (tight-fisted Yorkshirewoman here!) and spend the cash on new plants Brick or block pavers would look lovely though.

Fairygirl

I like my grass, but sometimes it isn't worth it. 
A gravel path is much easier to do, but take your time making a decision. Use washing line/rope/hosepipe, and play about with different scenarios.

When you think about it, there isn't much difference between putting a deckchair on grass, and putting it on gravel 

Purpleandpinks

😂😂 @JennyJ the stones are so painful (I am the sort of person who likes to walk around barefoot!!) Though I suppose that might become less important once I've priced up the job! 

I've been doing that for weeks (what must my neigbours think!) @Fairygirl!! Currently I've got stones from the path marking out different ideas, none of them felt right, but Jenny's simple suggestion of a wider path (I'd be wondering what to do with awkward space between path and bed) has helped me enormously.  I didn't want it to look like it was stuck to one side, if that makes sense, but touch the other bed and leaving little planting gaps makes way more sense. 

I should have asked you lovely lot weeks ago 😁

Purpleandpinks

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to update this thread as the path is finished! The finished design is very close to @JennyJ 's suggestion! The lawn is being laid this week. First tree went in today, lots of planning and planting to do! 

Purpleandpinks

Mrs-B3-Southampton,-Hants

Your enthusiasm is palpable (OK very clear)

All that lovely empty soil!