Make garden paths correctly. How to make garden paths with your own hands

Garden paths– the first thing a person sees when entering a site. As a rule, at first they appear completely spontaneously and almost independently - the owners themselves trample the paths to strategically important objects. However, with the first rains, this state of affairs ceases to please and bring convenience - neat paths turn into a dirty mess, which is very inconvenient to move around. Therefore, sooner or later the question of making a garden path arises. Moreover, it is always highly desirable that the costs of this event be minimal. In this article you will learn how to cheaply and beautifully lay paths on your site.

There are so many types of garden paths that it would take more than an hour to list them, so we decided to focus only on the most practical, inexpensive and easy to make with our own hands. Fortunately, there are more than enough materials suitable for this. Most designers agree that garden paths should be paved with the same material from which the residential building is built - this technique allows you to create a harmonious general form plot. In addition, after construction there is probably a lot of surplus left: boards, logs, stones, bricks, cement... Do not rush to store it all in the shed, but use it to build convenient paths before the rainy season.

Garden paths

Garden paths are exactly the spontaneous phenomenon that we have already talked about. If you live in a region with an arid climate, they can easily serve year-round without causing much inconvenience. However, residents middle zone such happiness does not shine - you still have to pick up tools and materials in order to come up with something more practical.

The garden path can be used as a temporary option, or you can leave a couple of short paths to the flower beds and vegetable garden, visiting which is only relevant in the warm season. To refine and highlight the path, you can lay cobblestones, bricks along its edges, stick glass bottles with their necks down, or plant so-called border plants.

Backfill paths

One of the most budget options is a garden path made of gravel backfill. To make such a route, you need to dig a trench of a convenient width about 10 cm deep, cover the bottom and walls with geotextiles, strengthening it on the sides with curb tape. Pour crushed stone, screenings, pebbles or marble chips on top. That's all, actually. All that remains is to compact the resulting mound.

If this option seems too simple to you, you can lay large stone or concrete tiles on top of the fill. This method will be described in more detail below.

Concrete poured paths

If you are working on a site with large and heavy gardening equipment, the paths are regularly subjected to serious loads, and with the first rains the wheels will certainly get stuck in the washed-out soil. The best solution This problem will be filled with concrete paths. But a gray coating may seem too boring and unattractive, so we suggest “encrusting” it with decorative elements: tiles, pebbles, mosaics, multi-colored pieces of glass found on the seashore, etc.

How to make a garden path from concrete:

Make a mark on the ground, indicating the width and length of the future path.
Dig a pit in accordance with the markings with a depth of about 10 cm.
Pour sand into a layer 5-6 cm thick at the bottom of the trench, spray it with water from a hose and tamp it down properly.
Build formwork along the entire length of the path, installing plank or plywood frames at a distance of 5-6 cm from each other. The width of each frame should be the same as the width of the track. The optimal dimensions for concreting in this case: 60x60 cm.
Prepare a classic cement-sand mortar in the proportion of 1 part cement not lower than M300 to 3 parts sand. Mix the dry ingredients first, then add water little by little until the mixture reaches the consistency of thick sour cream.
Pour the solution into the formwork and wait for it to dry slightly.
Place on the surface decorative elements, slightly drowning them in concrete.
Leave the track to dry for 2-3 days.
You can plant unpretentious lawn plants between the slabs.

Perhaps this can be attributed to the same type concrete paths created using special forms. You can buy these at any hardware store, spending no more than a thousand rubles on this pleasure. But in order for things to move quickly, it is better to purchase 3-4 forms.

Helpful Hint: Most walkway molds have standard sizes 60x60 cm, which is quite enough for a narrow path along which it is convenient to walk. But if you need a wider path, just use two forms, placing them end to end - you will get a path 120 cm wide. Some craftsmen prefer to make forms for garden paths with their own hands, which allows them to move away from standard shapes and sizes.

How the garden path mold works:

Make marks on the ground to indicate the length and width of the future path.
Dig a trench along the entire length of the path to a depth of 10 cm.
Carefully level and compact the bottom.
Cover the bottom with gravel or crushed stone in a layer 3-4 cm thick.
Place a 5 cm layer of fine river sand on top of the crushed stone, sprinkle with water and tamp down.
Lubricate the track molds with sand or machine oil. If this is not found, you can use the cheapest vegetable oil.
Set the molds on the sand.
Mix a solution of 1 part cement at least M300, 3 parts sand and 4 parts crushed stone. It’s even better to add a special binder for foundations. Then add water in portions to bring the mixture to the desired consistency. If you want to make a colored path, add a special dye.
Arm yourself with a trowel and fill the forms to the very edges, trying to prevent air voids from appearing inside (they greatly reduce the strength).
Remove excess mortar using a plastic slat and leave the molds alone for 30-40 minutes.
Carefully lift the forms so as not to disturb the barely set concrete and repeat the procedure, thus moving along the entire length of the trench. If you oil the molds properly before pouring the concrete, they will come off fairly easily. Don't forget to lubricate them every time.

Now it is important to be patient and keep children and pets away from the frozen path for the next 2-3 days.

Wooden log walkways

One of the most inexpensive and adored options by summer residents is garden paths made of wooden blocks, boards and saw cuts. If the climate in your region is dry enough, you can safely get to work. To create such paths, it is best to choose hard wood, ideally larch (it is not susceptible to rotting). The level of the paths is usually slightly raised above the ground, so water does not linger on their surface and a minimum of dirt remains. The support is provided by massive beams impregnated with an antiseptic composition that prevents rotting.

Brief instructions for creating a wooden path:

To extend the service life of wooden paths, all elements must be soaked with hot drying oil twice, and geotextiles must be laid between the gravel bed and the soil. Below in the video are DIY garden paths made from wooden saw cuts:

DIY path in the garden: master classes

In this chapter we will tell you in detail how to make neat paths with your own hands and harmoniously fit them into the natural landscape. As you will soon see, you don’t need to use expensive materials for this at all, and in the last master class, the gifts of nature are used.

Path made of large stone tiles

This path will appeal to those who prefer simplicity bordering on primitiveness. Large stone slabs, between which lawn grass makes its way look very unobtrusive and at the same time are a functional and convenient element of the landscape. The styling technique will not require inhuman physical exertion or abundance from you. Supplies. To work you will need a large tile directly, paint in a can of orange or white(for contrasting markings), a construction water level, a shovel, a tape measure, river sand and several boards, the length of which is equal to the width of the path.

How to make garden paths with your own hands at low cost:

Mark the future path. To do this, lay wooden boards across (the width of the path), and stretch a twine or hose along them (the direction of the path). The distance between the boards should be about 50 cm.
Draw a line of paint from a can along the string or hose, after which you can remove the auxiliary elements.
Calculate total area paths in m² and prepare required amount slabs
Lay out the slabs the way you would like them to appear in the final result. It is not at all necessary to lay them evenly - it is best to scatter them as chaotically as possible, but at a small distance from each other so as to create the effect of a carelessly folded mosaic. Try to maintain a distance between the plates of 8-10 cm.
Cover each slab with paint from a can.
Lift one of the slabs and set it aside. Now, using a spade with a rounded tip, carefully remove upper layer soil along with grass and roots. First, pierce the sod along the markings, and then pick it up and cut it. You should get a neat hollow in accordance with the shape of the slab.
Place the slab in the hollow and continue this exciting activity until all the slabs are slightly recessed in the grass.
Compact the slabs thoroughly and check that they are level. If one of the stones is higher than the others, you will definitely trip over it all the time. If necessary, remove the required amount of soil or add sand to the bottom of the hollow.

The stones are compacted in a completely natural way. What’s convenient is that you can immediately walk along the path without waiting for it to dry and without fear of destroying it with a careless movement.

Dirt path with square slabs

Such a garden path in the country can visually expand and “unload” the space. Unlike the option described above, it looks more neat and modern. Laying it also does not require any special skills or much effort. The most important thing is to make even markings in width and length, then find the area and buy enough material. For example, if you want to make a path 100 cm wide and 8 m long, then its area will be: 1 * 8 = 8 m².

To work, you will need square stone slabs 30x30 cm, crushed stone or gravel for a drainage pad, river sand, wooden pegs and string for marking, a tape measure with a level, and a shovel. For tamping, you can use a special vibrating tool, but if you cannot find one, use an ordinary heavy log. Also, resourceful craftsmen tie wide boards to the sole of their shoes and walk on the surface, pressing it with their own weight.

Important: Maintain a distance of 8-15 cm between the slabs and the edges of the path to ensure quality drainage and ventilation.

Laying out such a track is very simple. First make a mark using pegs and twine, then dig a trench, compact the bottom, fill it with sand and gravel, and then compact it again. Lay out the slabs, fill the gaps with crushed stone and compact them again, lightly watering them with a hose.

Pebble garden path

Paths made of concrete slabs are good, but these slabs need to be bought in a store, and then somehow delivered to the site. If you are lucky enough to live near a river or sea, the shores of which are strewn with smooth pebbles of various sizes, we suggest you take advantage of this master class. Please note that it is stated here general technology installation, which will help firmly fix the elements. But in what order to do it and what patterns to lay out, it’s up to you to decide. At the end of the article you will find photos of garden paths of this type, which may inspire you to create masterpieces.

So, to work you will need the following:

pebbles (stones of different sizes and shades);
fine sand;
plywood;
cement M300;
gravel chips;
building level;
hard brush;
wooden mallet.

Before you start work, take a look at the pile of pebbles brought from the shore, take a couple of hours and carefully sort the pebbles by size and color scheme- this will be very useful and will save a lot of time if you want to create a beautiful pattern, even the simplest one. Wash the stones from dirt - you need to work only with clean material.

Helpful advice: If you want to lay out a path with a pattern or design, it is better to sketch out a sketch on paper in advance. After this, lay out an approximate pattern of stones on a piece of plywood or tarpaulin, placing them as you see them in the final result. Then take a photo of the composition and try to reproduce it during final installation.

Laying technology:

Cover the almost finished path with a tarp and leave it for a couple of days. The mosaic will dry completely only after a couple of weeks, so be patient and try not to destroy the beauty ahead of time.

As you can see, there is nothing complicated here. You can use available materials and gifts of nature, or simply buy plastic garden paths without bothering yourself physical activity. By the way, such products are characterized by mobility, which is not inherent in the analogues described above - they can be removed in dry weather and laid in any direction at any time.

Finally, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with useful tips, which may be useful when creating paths in the country:

The walking paths look very neat. Such paths consist of disparate elements, for example, large square or round slabs, stones, and wooden cuts. But transporting garden equipment along them is decidedly inconvenient - they are only suitable for walking.
Feel free to use the most different materials. Stone goes well with wood, so gravel looks harmonious with boards and logs, and narrow pebble paths can run off from the central slab path.
Before you start construction, especially if it involves concrete, check the weather forecast. It is best if no precipitation is expected in the next week. Then the path will have time to dry completely and harden properly. But for simple crushed stone powders, a short “mushroom” rain will be very useful - it will finally compact the surface and remove dust.
If you like natural asymmetry and variety of shapes, use natural untreated stone. It makes beautiful curved paths winding between fruit trees and berry bushes.

Whatever path you build, it needs to be properly maintained, otherwise the joy of walking along clean, smooth paths will not last long. You will find all the necessary information on this issue in the article.

DIY garden paths: photo

We have prepared a small photo selection for you, in which we tried to include the most original and, most importantly, practical examples of garden paths.

It is impossible to imagine a suburban area without country paths: they not only connect the house with other objects, but also perform an important decorative function. By choosing the right material, you can create a harmonious picture in a single style, and by building paths in your dacha with your own hands, you can turn several acres into a unique and comfortable area.

The main reason for dividing country paths and paths into types is the material from which they are built. Its diversity allows you to choose best option for landscaping.

Natural stone is distinguished by its natural beauty and nobility, but its price is quite high.

Natural stone is ideal for the construction of curved paths: the stone elements are arranged in a chaotic manner, so it is easy to make smooth bends

Wood is perfect for landscaping in a rustic style.

The natural textured pattern on wood cuts depends on the type of wood, but interesting effect can also be achieved using special impregnations and varnishes

Brick is a wonderful material, especially if the house is also built from it.

For the construction of garden paths, ordinary solid building brick not suitable, it is better to use special ones sidewalk views that are not afraid of water and frost

Paving slabs or paving stones will serve for a long time.

Using paving stones of different colors, as well as a specific laying pattern, you can create an amazing, original design that is suitable specifically for your garden.

Simple and inexpensive gravel paths are also appropriate in the garden.

Gravel is good not near the landscaped area around the house, but in the garden or near a stream - it blends better with wildlife

Concrete can be used to create unique paving slabs.

In construction stores you can purchase special plastic molds, which are used for making road concrete elements with your own hands

By combining materials, it is easy to achieve a stylistic match between the paths and the surrounding natural and artificial objects.

You can combine completely different materials: natural stone and multi-colored gravel, wooden boards and river pebbles, brick and concrete

The location of the paths takes into account the landscape and climate

Paths are an equally important strategic part suburban area, like a house, garage or bathhouse, so you need to think about their arrangement before constructing buildings and utility rooms. For convenience, it is better to create a diagram by drawing it by hand or using a computer design program. Having identified important points, it is necessary to connect them by paths - straight or curved, depending on the terrain.

It is better if all objects are present on the diagram, including a garden, vegetable garden, greenhouses, bathhouse, gazebos - paths are the connecting element between them. The material for the construction of communication routes must be combined with buildings and surrounding decorative elements.

Paths on a summer cottage do not have to be of the same type: solid and step-by-step, straight and curved options are perfectly combined

When drawing up a diagram or site plan, you can indicate which plants and shrubs will be planted - this will help when choosing material for building paths

If it rains frequently in your area, you should definitely consider drainage system and dig drains along the edges of the roads to prevent stagnation of water. When constructing country paths with your own hands, remember: freezing, water will ruin the material - wood, brick, concrete. Powerful trees should not grow near the pavements, as their root system will easily damage the integrity of the roads.

The more detailed the preliminary planning, the brighter the picture of the future. country landscape and the easier it is to come to the choice of design elements

Analysis of the 3 best budget options

Owners of villas and luxury cottages will most likely not bother with sand and stones, but will invite a famous landscape designer and a team of specialists. Anyone who independently arranges a garden knows very well that to build original and comfortable paths it is not necessary to use expensive natural stone or collectible paving stones. Therefore, we will consider three options for creating paths from accessible and inexpensive materials: cement, brick and wood. Rest assured, the result will surprise you!

Option #1 – trail made of cement leaves

Lovers of short-cut lawns would never trade silky green grass for dense thickets of shrubs or a flower garden, much less give up a path that crosses the luxurious carpet in front of the house. But there is a clever option in which you can preserve the integrity of the lawn and at the same time create a kind of path that allows you to cross the grass surface directly.

Decorative concrete leaves are just an option that can be replaced with other elements: human traces, geometric shapes, animal silhouettes

To build a miracle path, you will need an ordinary plant and a plant that can be found somewhere nearby - burdock, or rather its large leaves.

Burdock leaves can be replaced with any other leaves, as long as they are large. As an option, use several leaves of different textures

In a small container, mix the solution according to the instructions and spread the thick mass on a large burdock leaf. Why not a filling mold?

Make sure that the cement solution has the required consistency: too thick it will lie unevenly, and liquid cement will not retain its shape.

After the sand-cement mixture has completely set, remove the sheet. We get original decorative tiles - the main element of the path.

As you can see, nature turned out to be the best decorative artist - a decorative leaf with a natural pattern will not disturb the harmony of the lawn or garden

All that remains is to prepare the place for installation. Using a shovel or small spatula, carefully remove a piece of turf to create a shallow hole.

Device advantage step-by-step path for a lawn consists in the absence of a special tool: for example, a child’s scoop is enough to make holes

We lay the tiles in the prepared nest, then do the same with the remaining elements. The path turns out to be light, airy, harmoniously complementing the lawn. Walking on the beautiful decorative leaves is pleasant and safe even in rainy weather.

Option #2 – durable brick path

Brick is a universal material. You don’t have to worry about how to make a path in your dacha if you have the required amount of this durable material at hand, as if it was specially created for the construction of reliable coverings. Its advantage is that it is ideal for almost any country house style. Red bricks, like gray ones, look amazing against the background of a building made of a similar material, combine perfectly with wood, and fit harmoniously into natural environment. One piece of advice - you only need to use special paving material.

The advantages of brick are obvious: it is durable, lasts for decades, is easy to lay, does not slip even in the rain, and has aesthetic value

Main stages of construction:

Defining boundaries and extracting soil.
Preparation of sand and gravel base.
Filling voids with sand.

The width of the trench depends on the size of the bricks and the pattern that will be laid out of them. The minimum width of the path is 0.9 m. We determine the boundaries and mark them with pegs with a stretched construction cord. We remove the sod and dig a shallow trench. Its edges need to be reinforced with boards - they will serve as additional support for the border in the next two years. Then they can be taken out and the grooves filled with gravel chips or pebbles.

The brick base consists of two layers. The lower one is gravel and coarse sand. After backfilling, the gravel mixture must be evenly distributed along the entire length of the path and compacted.

Determine the depth of the trench for installation brick path simple: you need to add up the thickness of both layers of the base and the dimensions of the brick itself

Tamping the gravel layer is mandatory: loose material will provoke the movement of the remaining layers and, as a result, destroy the brick surface

The top layer consists of only sand. While leveling it along the path, press at the same time until the layer becomes dense enough. It is better to compact sections of 20-30 cm, so the base will be of better quality.

Having made the sand backfill, you need to level the surface: pull a special device towards you, while pressing on it so that the sand lies in a dense layer

The next stage is laying bricks along the boards. Before laying each element, dig a small hole, then place a brick in it and adjust its position using a wooden hammer. Products placed on the end will act as a border.

To “hammer” bricks into sand, it is better to use a special rubber hammer: a metal or even wooden one can damage the structure of the material

Taking into account the laying pattern, fill the space between the curbs with bricks, easily hammering them into the sand and regularly checking the level.

When focusing on a specific element, do not forget about the integrity of the path: regularly check the horizontal position of the bricks using a level

The last stage is filling the gaps between the bricks with sand. Gently add sand until it is level with the bricks. Water the path and repeat the last operation. Over the next few days, you can adjust the position of the bricks.

An ordinary cleaning brush will help to distribute the sand evenly: with its help you can easily move the sand over the surface and push it between the bricks

Option #3 - using wooden cuts

If you compare wood with stone, it will certainly lose: wood does not have the durability and strength of granite or marble. However, when constructing garden paths in the country, elements from this seemingly unsuitable material are used. Wood cuts, if the laying technology is followed, are excellent “bricks” for creating a decorative path in a rustic style.

By choosing wood cuts, you kill two birds with one stone: you “arrange” unnecessary cut trees and decorate the area with a beautiful and practical path

An old tree can be found right at your dacha or in the nearest forest. We cut the trunk into small segments - from 10 to 20 cm thick. Thick branches are also useful - small round ones are suitable for decorating a site or the edges of a path.

There are several options for constructing a garden path from saw cuts: one uses flat parts, the other uses stumps

In the planned area, remove the layer of turf and dig a shallow trench.

When removing soil when digging a trench, do not take it outside the dacha: it will be useful for filling the voids of the path, and the remains can be used for a vegetable garden or flower garden

We fill the bottom of the trench with sand, a layer of 5 cm is enough. We compact it and level it.

Place the sawn hemp along the path: this makes it easier to imagine how many of them will be needed, and in the future it will be easier to use when laying

We lay out the cuts on the prepared base. Using a level, we give them a horizontal position; this is excellent for wooden will do sledgehammer or large hammer. In some places, voids form - they can be filled with small saw cuts.

When laying large items, do not worry about large quantities the voids that remain between them: they can be easily filled with small stumps, gravel or pebbles

Gaps between wooden elements cover with sand or earth. In spring, they can be planted with lawn grass or small flowers - this will make the path look more artistic.

To determine how to lay out beautiful decorative paths in your dacha, just look around. Do not be afraid to use your own technological secrets during construction and design solutions- then the dacha plot will become truly unique.

Garden paths, elegantly winding among the trees, add to the area well-groomed and complete. And it is not at all necessary to buy paving slabs or hire a designer and builders for their arrangement. You can improve the paths in the garden yourself, putting your soul into their creation, and in return you will receive a durable, well-maintained coating that can delight you for many years. We’ll tell you in more detail how to make a garden path from a variety of materials with your own hands.

Fill the stencil with the prepared solution , avoiding voids in its corners. Using a small tamper, which we use as a vibrating plate, we try to compact the concrete as much as possible, and then level its surface with a spatula. After the 30-50 minutes required for the concrete to pre-set, the form is carefully removed and placed side by side, repeating the process until the finish line.

We begin to gradually fill the form, do not forget that the concrete should not be very liquid. Pay special attention to the corners, you need to fill them as much as possible with concrete mortar. Since we used a plasticizer and made the solution thick, after 15-20 minutes you can remove the mold. Here the first slab is ready! Let it harden for a day, after which we begin to actively use it.

To avoid animal prints hand-made garden paths cover plastic film and wait at least 3-4 days before taking a new path and taking a photo as a souvenir. The full load on the concrete product can be given no earlier than after 20 days.

The last stage in the construction of garden paths Do it yourself at low cost by painting and filling the tile joints with river sand.

There are several ways to paint a new path.

The first is to add dye at the final stage of concrete preparation. . After this, you can lightly mix the concrete, achieving an uneven color, or thoroughly mix the components to obtain a uniform color.
The second method requires dusting the wet concrete surface with dry dye each time the mold is removed. , however, in this case, only the very top layer will be painted, which will be erased over time. Garden paths with stains wiped off precisely after this type of painting can often be seen in photos on the Internet.

DIY paths video tutorial

Garden paths painted with your own hands look very interesting. dye dissolved in soil deep penetration , which makes it possible to achieve similarity with low cost natural stone. Stone effect tiles, painted in various colors, will look especially impressive in your garden. AND last tip: after painting, do not forget to treat the surface of the path with a water repellent - it will not allow moisture to penetrate the pores of the concrete, destroying it from the inside.

Pouring a concrete path with your own hands

Monolithic concrete paths laid along summer cottage. Read on to learn how to make concrete garden paths.

Marking future path , driving pegs along its edges and pulling a cord between them at the required height. We take into account that optimal thickness filling is from 7 to 10 cm.

Preparing the sand bed . To do this, we dig a trench up to 20 cm deep, level its bottom, install beacons and lay geotextiles, also covering the slopes of the trench with this material. After this, we fill the hole with 2-3 layers of sand with intermediate pouring and compaction of each layer. You can add a layer of fine crushed stone between two adjacent layers of sand. This will enhance the drainage properties of the pillow.

Laying agrofibre Installation of a sand cushion Leveling the sand cushion

Preparing concrete . You can use the recipe from the instructions for filling the molds. If you need a pavement path of increased strength, for example, for driving or parking a car in a country house, then take 1 part of cement (not lower than grade 400), 1.5 parts of sand and 2.5-3 parts of crushed stone or gravel. The ideal volume ratio is 1 part water to 3 parts cement, but to increase the plasticity of the liquid, add a little more. Don't forget what less water will be in the solution, the stronger the concrete coating will be.

Formwork is used for garden paths from wooden planks thickness of at least 20 mm. It is better if the width of the boards is equal to the thickness of the fill, otherwise you will have to dig them into the ground. The boards need to be nailed to inside pegs.

Install dividers at even intervals in order to create expansion joints. When making paths at the dacha, dividers can be used from available material. Smooth, narrow strips of drywall, glass, thin boards, scraps of laminate, siding, etc. are suitable for these purposes. In order to remove the spacers after the concrete has set, they must be lubricated with any suitable lubricant.

We carry out reinforcement of the structure to increase its strength. Chain-link mesh, scraps of reinforcement, pipes, etc. are used as reinforcing mesh. Of course, it is best to use a welded reinforcing belt made of rods with a diameter of up to 8 mm, with a cell of 100x100 mm. The reinforcement is placed at half the height of the path, using fragments of bricks or clamps made from the same rods.

Garden paths are poured up to the top edge of the formwork. . Next, using a tamper, we compact the surface until cement milk appears on the surface of the path, and then level it using the rule. Next, cover the path with plastic film and wait at least 5 days before removing the formwork. Full load on concrete can be given no earlier than after 3 weeks.

Decorate the path possible in several ways.

Firstly, the surface can be painted or tiled with marble or ceramic tiles.
Secondly, you can apply a design to it using a shaped spatula, screwdriver or coarse brush.
Thirdly, you can paint the concrete itself at the preparation stage.
Fourthly, gravel or pebbles can be pressed into the wet layer, laying out intricate patterns.

In a word, a garden path made of concrete can be original and attractive, as in numerous videos of popular Internet resources.

DIY garden path made of paving slabs

If you are planning to arrange garden paths with your own hands at low cost, then this method will not suit you. Paving slabs cannot be called a cheap material. On the other hand, such paths have a lot of advantages and are practically free of disadvantages. Watch a video in which you can lay such a garden path yourself. Not so difficult, right? At first glance, this is true. In fact, in order for the sidewalk path laid at the dacha to please the eye long time, careful preparation of the base and maximum care and precision in work are required. So, how to make a path from paving slabs with your own hands:

Choosing a tile . At the same time, we focus not only on design, but also on its operational features. For example, for tiles on which you plan to drive a car, the ability to withstand increased loads is important.
Stocking up on tools . For work we will need: a trowel, a rubber hammer, a tamper, a level, a cord, pegs, a pipe or I-beam, sand and cement.

Marking future paths . To do this, we hammer in the pegs and pull the cord to the required height.

Preparing the base . The successful operation of the track throughout its entire service life will depend on this work, so we approach this stage with the most responsibility. To do this, we level the base as accurately as possible, removing part of the soil on the hills and adding it in the lowlands. As we work, we constantly compact the soil, wetting its surface with water.

We calculate the depth of the base by calculating the height of the tiles plus the height of the sand layer. To the resulting value add a couple of centimeters for shrinkage. As a rule, the depth is 20-30cm. Do not forget to create the necessary slopes for water drainage from the surface.

After leveling the base, we lay geotextiles . It will prevent weeds from growing into the tile joints.

Pour a sand cushion , spill it with water and tamp it down. After this, we level its surface with a profile, relying on pipes or beams installed at the required distance from each other.

Preparing the mixture from 1 part cement and 3 parts sand, which we lay on the base and screed using an I-beam or channel.
We start laying the tiles from the curb in the direction “away from us” . We lay out the initial row clearly along the cord installed along the chamfer. In this case, you can use 1-2mm crosses to form seams of the same thickness. To ensure the required height, sand is added or removed with a trowel, compacting it as you work. At the same time, do not forget to constantly monitor the quality of installation using a level and a mallet. If you need to join the tiles to other buildings, then, if necessary, they can be trimmed with a grinder with a circle installed for working on stone.

After the last row is laid, fill the seams sand-cement mixture and fill them with water.

Border installed along the edges sidewalk path, will prevent the tiles from moving and maintain the integrity of the structure. During operation, sand can be washed out of the seams with water, so it will be necessary to add it periodically.

Wooden garden path

Many summer residents think about how to make garden paths from wood, because this inexpensive and accessible material is always at hand. In addition, you can use not only the classic version in the form of installed saw cuts, but also install beautiful and functional paths in the country, for example, from such improvised material as Euro pallets.

The material for the cuts can be either a purchased log house or fallen trees from the grove located next to the site. A chainsaw will help you make wooden garden paths at low cost; you don’t have to buy it if you can ask a friend for help.

To arrange the path, follow the following instructions:

We mark the place for the path and dig a trench 10-20 cm deep.
We lay waterproofing taking into account covering not only the bottom, but also the slopes.
For drainage, fill the bottom of the trench with crushed stone.
Pour a 10 cm layer of sand as a cushion under the cuts.
We install the cuts, alternating thick logs with thin branches to fill the space as much as possible.
We fill the gaps between the cuts with sand.

You can install the saw cuts in such a way that they top part will rise 3-5 cm above the surface. A path of this type will be much less dirty in slush and rain.

In the video you can often see how great a garden path made of wooden boards looks. But material such as Euro pallets is excellent for our purposes, and the cost of such material only includes its delivery to the site. At the same time, pallets are made from durable wood, which, when treated with antiseptics, can last a long time.

To prepare the boards, they are cut into 50 cm pieces, sanded, processed protective agent and painted or varnished. The flooring itself is performed according to the following algorithm:

Logs are made from wooden blocks, which are fastened together with the same bars, using “half-wood” knitting.
Cover the structure with bitumen mastic, which will protect the frame from rotting. The same mastic is used to cover the bottom of the boards.
Lay the boards, leaving a gap of 10-20 mm between them for water drainage.
Additionally, the path is coated with varnish or paint.

When driving nails, try to bury their heads into the wood as deeply as possible. This will allow you to walk along the path barefoot without fear of getting hurt.

Prices for forms and materials

Everything you need for arranging garden paths can be found in the appropriate sections of the Leroy Merlin store. “Garden paths” and other sections of the catalog contain hundreds of items necessary tools and materials. At the same time, it should be noted that the prices are quite affordable.

Thus, the cost of a mold for a garden path in Leroy is 507 rubles, which, you see, is quite inexpensive, given its reusable use. A concrete mixer, of course, will cost you more - a 120 liter unit costs 5,690 rubles, but it will greatly facilitate concrete work.

Concrete dyes

Dyes for concrete start at 603 rubles. for a 700 g jar, while plasticizers can be purchased for a minimal price - 149 rubles. for a container weighing 600 g. The store’s consultants will be able to answer questions about how to make paths at the dacha with your own hands or tell you about the features of using certain materials. A form for a garden path, purchased from Leroy Merlin, will allow you to save quite a significant amount when arranging paths in your garden.

If you have not yet decided how to make a path in your dacha, look at the gallery of photos located on our website. Interesting solutions using in various ways arrangement of garden paths will help you choose the most best option, make the necessary changes to it and create your own unique design. And maybe soon a photo of your particular site will appear in the first lines of search results.

Walking barefoot on asphalt is less pleasant than walking on seashells, polished cobblestones or sun-warmed logs. The road surface, without which a metropolis is unthinkable, is inappropriate in a country estate. Almost every day, the owners walk around its territory without shoes, and the kids generally crawl on all fours.

When gardening, it is important to pay attention not only to high-quality care of fruit plants, but also to remember the general arrangement and appearance of the garden. Do-it-yourself garden paths not only create ease of movement around the property, but are also a special part of general design. In this article we will talk about arranging paths with our own hands.

Garden paths - how to combine beauty and convenience

Country house, a private house, a cottage requires not only arrangement of the interior and exterior, but also embellishment of the area around it. Often owners want to combine practicality and aesthetics in one project. You can realize your idea by laying garden paths.

What you need to know and consider during construction

Any design begins with a concept, a thorough study of the area and a plan. The first step is to determine the directions, length, width of future paths, imagine their shape, decoration. Next we need to analyze bearing capacity soil in order to choose the right type of building material and only then plan.

You need to draw up a drawing on paper, there will be an opportunity to correct, redo, supplement. There are several important factors to pay attention to:

Components must be resistant to aggressiveness environment — high humidity, fungi, corrosion.
It is good to tolerate temperature fluctuations of different seasons.
Provide for a possible increase in loads (car, loaded wheelbarrow).
The optimal angle of inclination of the canvas to avoid the accumulation of water from precipitation.

Advice from a landscape designer - in compact areas it is better to lay not straight garden paths, but with wavy bends and turns. This visually expands the space and deepens niches for plants.

Each owner decides what to build a path from independently, based on financial capabilities, needs and fantasies. Every coating needs a base. The ideal option would be a compacted earthen embankment or crushed stone cushion.

The most popular materials for DIY garden paths:

A natural stone. It looks noble, aesthetically pleasing even with unsmoothed corners.
Artificial substitute. The grace of nature, faceted by man.
Clinker bricks will add bright colors to the garden.
Gravel or large polished pebbles will provide originality.
Wood is an affordable, simple, but short-lived look. Looks impressive separately and in a composition.
Decking is garden plastic parquet. New material, resistant to ultraviolet radiation, water, mold, rot.

The decorative effect of the structure largely depends on the methods of laying the blanks. The canvas can be solid, smooth, or consist of separately located elements of different geometric shape. By laying out a path of large “leaves”, “butterflies”, “flowers”, it is easy to enjoy the comfort and pleasant walk.

Types of garden paths

Everyone who has a dacha, albeit small, but their own personal plot, will think more than once about ways to decorate and transform it. There is not always enough finance to realize ideas and fantasies. Many will ask: “What should we do then?” The answer is quite simple: if you want to improve your garden paths, but you don’t have the money for a landscape designer or expensive components, then you should pay attention to available and more affordable materials.

To arrange garden paths with your own hands, various types of stones, boards, wood cuts, river pebbles and even lids from plastic bottles. Now a little about each of the options.

Paths made of natural stone

They fit into any site design. They look natural and correct installation can last forever.

Such paths look very impressive. If there are stones left after the nearest construction, you can use them. Or those left over after installation will do alpine slide. They have uneven shapes, which makes them ideal option for a picturesque path.

Path made of natural stone

First you need to calculate the number of pebbles. One of the methods is rough placement of stones. This way you can estimate whether the amount of material you have is enough.

Sprinkle the area for the path with sand and compact it well. It turned out to be a kind of “pillow” for the pebbles. They need to be processed, adjusted to shape, and made more uniform. For good joining and grinding, you can use a grinder or other not very powerful types of tools. Having prepared the stones, they are placed in a mosaic composition.

Since all the stones are different in size, they are adjusted to each other using a rubber hammer. At least one side of the stone must be flat for the path to turn out as it should.

When the mosaic is ready, you need to start sealing the seams between the stones. Otherwise, they will begin to overgrow. Although some may prefer another option, the most natural one: a cement-sand mortar is used for grouting joints.

Concrete paths

They are very similar to stone ones. First make a bed, the depth of which is approximately 10 cm. Then pour sand on the bottom and compact it. Fill the top with a mixture of concrete and sand, install the formwork around the edges. Before the solution hardens, pour pebbles into it. Lay out your intended pattern from it. A drainage system must be installed next to such a path.

Sometimes a concrete path is made using a ready-made mold. It is easy to buy at a hardware store. And then just pour the concrete mixture into the mold in the place you need, level it with a trowel, remove the excess and remove the mold. It is very light and quick way Moreover, you can lay out this form in at least several rows.

How to make concrete paths with your own hands using ready-made forms

Wooden paths

Wooden paths will last a long time, but at the beginning they require maintenance. They can be laid out from sawn boards or timber, using what remains from the construction of the house.

Wooden paths

Prepare boards and blocks; the latter can be replaced with steel corners or pipes. Process them protective impregnations or bitumen mastic. After soaking, nail the boards to the blocks. Mount the path on top using hemp of various calibers. Paint them one or more colors.

But in domestic climatic conditions, the most modern impregnations will not protect the boards from deformation, rotting and corrosion, so imitation wood is often used as a material for paths - tiles with a corresponding pattern.

It will be possible to select such perfect samples that no one will detect the difference at a distance. It is felt only after tactile contact. The tiles reliably depict the natural texture of pine, beech, oak and other species in cross-section - as a result, the ersatz is indistinguishable from the original.

DIY gravel garden paths

Gravel is a simple material that has good flowability, allows moisture to pass through, and is relatively cheap. It can be used to make paths of any width and length, and perhaps even give them different shapes. This path looks neat and fits harmoniously into any landscape. Making it yourself will not be difficult.

DIY gravel garden paths

The order of execution of the gravel path

First you will need to mark the path around the area. Marking is carried out with pre-prepared wooden pegs. You can stretch a string between the pegs if you find it difficult to determine the direction by eye.
Next, according to the markings, prepare the bed. To do this, dig a trench in the ground. The depth of the trench can be about 14 – 17 cm.
Prepare the gravel. It is advisable, if possible, to view it and remove unwanted impurities (broken glass, sharp large stones, etc.). Handling gravel should be done with thick gloves.
Backfill gravel to the depth of the trench. You can level it with a rake or your hands (also use gloves).
Next, the laid gravel is compacted.
At the end, a curb stone can be laid along the edge of the path. This will give an even more impressive and finished look. The stone is secured with a cement foundation. It can be laid either flush with the canvas or slightly above it.

This algorithm is also suitable for constructing a sand garden path. Accordingly, gravel is replaced with sand, and then all work is carried out according to the same scheme.

DIY brick garden paths

This is a very fragile type of material. Before laying it is necessary to check for strength. First, mark the path using string and pegs.

Remove the soil (25 cm), place drainage underneath. In this case, it will be simple, but the main thing is that water does not penetrate. It is necessary to pour crushed stone on top of the drainage system. The boards are laid sideways along the edges. Then the brick is laid. You can come up with a wide variety of brick designs.

Clinker brick path

Looks great garden path, lined with brick chips. It is also permissible to sprinkle it on a concrete path. Beautiful mosaics are made from broken bricks. If the bricks are of different colors, they are laid out in beautiful patterns. You can leave space between them to fill it with small stones, pebbles or soil, so that later there will be a green island there.

Homemade path made of brick and stone

Sandstone path

They are made dry or used cement pouring. This method is similar to laying a stone path, but the first one is more natural and original.

Dig a trench, removing part of the soil. Pour sand in there and compact it. The middle part should be higher than the edges. You need to walk a bit on the slope. This is a dehumidification system. Next comes the processing of the stones.

Sandstone may be the most different sizes and forms. Try on each stone before cutting.

Level the stones, making the gaps as small as possible. The processed stones are laid out as you like. For a classic path you need a bucket of sand and the same amount of mixture with cement. Under each pebble you must first put the first one, then the second one. Moreover, the cement should protrude slightly. You need to press the stone tightly. The completed path must be washed so as not to spoil the aesthetics with cement residues. The seams are filled with soil or sand.

Path made from wood cuts

Such a path will look very beautiful and attractive.

Path made from wood cuts

The cuts must be taken of different sizes, laying them so that there is no free space between them. Before laying, round timber must be treated with an antiseptic composition.

Saw cuts for garden paths

Another option is to use round timber as borders and add a layer of gravel between them.

While staying at the dacha, you want to move away from city life, because all around, if not a forest, then a garden, some lucky ones even have a lake or river. In a word, no matter what the surrounding landscape is, it encourages you to get closer to nature.

An interesting idea is a path stylized as a forest one. It consists of fragments of ordinary tree stumps. Round plates different sizes laid along the edge of the pond and concreted.

The side of the artificial pond is made from them. It is pleasant to sit on such stumps to sunbathe; touching your feet with them also gives rise to positive sensations.

Plastic garden paths

Such country paths are sold as ready-made modules. Their installation does not require surface preparation or treatment. They are very simply and quickly attached, very economical, characterized by durability and long service. They can be laid out on any site, in the form of any composition. They are environmentally friendly and aesthetically pleasing.

River pebble paths

Working with these pebbles will be difficult, time-consuming and will not end quickly. They are laid in a pre-limited space in wet sand and compacted until required depth. The process takes several days.

River pebble paths

It happens that the design of country houses is based on imitation of the styles of past times - the ancient era, British classicism, etc. Then you should choose slabs ornamented in accordance with the general concept of the site and the residential building. They may have impressions of Mediterranean pebbles, ancient bricks, etc.

Paths made from plastic bottle caps

The most original and interesting way— line the path or part of it with plastic bottle caps. Due to the fact that the lids have a variety of colors, you can create patterns and mosaics, even creating entire paintings.

The only disadvantage of this improvised material is its collection, because you will need a lot of lids.

Garden path made of reinforced concrete tiles

Stages of work:

Do-it-yourself ready-made garden path made of reinforced concrete tiles

Made from mosaic-type ceramic tiles

Paving stones, stone path

The slabs are laid on a layer of sand, and lawn grass is sown in between. Mowing is carried out with a conventional electric lawn mower. The photo was taken 3 years after installation.

These are just the basic materials from which you can make country paths with your own hands. Human imagination is limitless, so by the next summer season they will probably come up with something else. Paths for dachas are made with your own hands from any, sometimes unexpected, material. For example, from glass bottles. You can create combinations from different types material in one composition.

Remember that such paths carry not just convenience and benefit, but also beauty, pleasure for the eyes, and harmony. Imagine, invent, create.

Independently choosing materials for garden paths and the driveway to your dacha can sometimes be difficult. Then you just need to set aside time for a scrupulous study of catalogs or the means to consult with specialists. The result will justify all these costs.

Video master classes

Paths at the dacha connect all objects on the site: house, gate, summer kitchen, barn, gazebo, greenhouse, bathhouse, vegetable garden, shower. There is no way to do without them. In one area they can be made of various materials, have all sorts of configurations, but must necessarily fit into the overall appearance of the space. At your dacha, you can make paths with your own hands by first drawing up a plan.

Paths at the dacha connect all objects on the site: house, gate, summer kitchen, barn, gazebo, greenhouse, bathhouse, vegetable garden, shower

Designers recommend creating curved areas in small areas - this visually increases the area. Trees should not grow near paths, as their roots can damage the integrity of the surface. After drawing a diagram, estimate on the ground how convenient it will be to move from one object to another along the planned paths, so that later you don’t have the desire to redo everything. It's complicated. Paths even made from scrap materials, but well designed, give the area a neat, complete and cozy look.

First you need to decide on the coating. Most often it is made from paving slabs, concrete, stone, brick, wood, and pebbles. General requirement for all materials - strength, moisture and frost resistance. The surface should be non-slippery and easy to clean. To mark and prepare the soil for laying, the following materials and tools are needed:

pegs, cord;
boards;
shovel;
sand, crushed stone;
rammer;
level;
screwdriver

Determine the boundaries of the path by adding allowance to the formwork. Its width depends on the purpose. Usually, from the gate to the house it is made wide and continuous, but, for example, near the dog enclosure it can be narrow and intermittent. Pegs are placed along the marked edges and the string is pulled. Using a shovel, remove the turf to a depth of 10 cm, and level the bottom of the resulting trench. Straight lines of paths are limited by boards at the same level, securing them with stakes from the outside. The boards are screwed one to another using a screwdriver. Sand is poured into the trench and compacted. Its depth and height of the pillow depend on the selected material for covering and technological features of installation. The coating can be hard or soft.

Hard tracks

Hard coatings include: paving slabs, concrete, clinker bricks, stone, wood.

Paving slabs are the most common option for paths on the site. The market offers many types, sizes, shapes and colors. There are plenty to choose from, including reasonable prices. Depending on the location, it can be laid on sand, crushed stone or mortar. In this case, it is necessary to follow the rule: the paths must be paved with a slight slope so that water flows from them freely.

The tiles are placed tightly, their position is leveled with a level and a rubber hammer, and sand is added if necessary. The quality of installation is controlled wooden block: If the tile is raised, it is planted by tapping on the block. It is correct to start laying from the curb. Having finished the work, the seams are covered with a mixture of sand and cement and watered. In order for the path to maintain its shape, it is limited by curbs, installing them on a liquid solution.

If it is intended to lay tiles on concrete, then after a cushion of sand and crushed stone is made, across the path at a distance of 1 m along the entire length, they are installed on the edge of the board to provide a compensation gap for temperature changes. They are leveled along the formwork, which should protrude 2-3 cm above ground level. To prevent concrete from sticking, the boards are treated with machine oil or drying oil.

To make smooth turns, the formwork is made from wet plywood; it can be bent in any way you like. The constructed frame is poured with concrete: cement (M500), sand, crushed stone in a ratio of 1:4:6, add as much water as the mixture will take. To obtain a more plastic solution, a special plasticizer is used; you can use liquid soap. It is best to make the mass in a concrete mixer.

This is the most common option for paths on the site

A monolithic concrete path is inexpensive. It looks decorative if you add dye to the top layer and decorate it like a stone. The first layer of crushed stone is poured onto a prepared base 4 cm thick and a mesh with cells up to 20 cm is laid. When the solution hardens, a 3 cm layer of concrete without crushed stone with a small amount of water is applied on top of it, compacting it thoroughly. The surface is leveled and smoothed.

To decorate it like a stone, you can use bent reinforcement, applying a pattern to your taste. Usually along the edges of the path a pattern is made that imitates a small stone. To give the surface a characteristic porosity, you can treat it in places with a sponge. Until the concrete is fully matured, it must be protected from both sun and rain. The slower it matures, the stronger the coating.

Gallery: paths in the country (25 photos + video)

Forms for garden paths

You can make paths from decorative concrete by purchasing a special dry mixture and plastic or silicone mold with an image. Choose it with grooves that are small in depth and width, as dirt quickly accumulates in large gaps and the path loses its decorative effect. The shape pattern can consist of rhombuses, squares, fan-shaped rectangles, and all kinds of interlacing. Country paths made of decorative concrete look very stylish and cost no more than laid ones paving slabs. The work is performed in the following sequence:

prepare the base as described above and cover it with a 10 cm layer of crushed stone;
poured cement mortar and smooth;
sprinkle with dry powder dye of the desired shade;
stamp the surface with forms, laying them close to each other and lightly compacting them;
after 3 days, wash the path with a brush dipped in a solution of hydrochloric acid;
cover acrylic varnish, which protects against negative impact and gives great attractiveness.

You can make paths from decorative concrete by purchasing a special dry mixture and a plastic or silicone mold with a pattern in the store.

Instead of a dye, you can use a hardener, which, in addition to the pigment that gives color, contains quartz sand. You can start pressing when concrete mixture does not reach for the finger placed on it.

Stone and wood

For wooden paths, larch is mainly used as the most moisture-resistant material. Solid decking is installed on piles of blocks 10-20 cm high with a terrace board with a pattern so that it is not slippery. The soil is leveled only under the blocks, placed on cushions of sand and gravel, isolating them from the ground and timber with roofing felt. First, they lay out the boards completely over the entire area of the path and only then attach them.

Despite the fact that wood is inferior in strength to stone and concrete and rots, tree cuts are used to create paths in a country house in a rustic style. Often logs left over from dismantling old buildings are used for this purpose.

The trunk is divided into stumps 15-40 cm thick, the top layer is sanded, the bark is removed and the part that will be underground is treated with an antifungal agent, after which it is laid on the prepared surface and leveled.

Paths can be built from stone. They look very harmonious. It is not recommended to use shell rock and limestone, as they are short-lived and also slippery. Most often they are laid on sand. Making such a path will be slow, since each stone should be inspected, choosing the smoothest side, which will be on the outside. Often they have to be filed down. Having laid 2-3 m, the completed section is fixed by filling the cracks between the stones with a liquid solution of cement and sand (1:3). It’s convenient to do this by using a kind of cone made from an empty bag with a corner cut off. Slabs for stone paths must be at least 4 cm thick.

For wooden paths, larch is mainly used, since it is the most moisture-resistant material

Original new material for coverings - decking, or garden parquet. It consists of small sections made from planks of hardwood trees. Garden parquet is laid on supports that are selected in height so as to smooth out differences in ground level. The basis for decking can be a sand and gravel cushion, a concrete covering with a drain, or wooden joists. The water underneath should not stagnate. It is installed quickly and easily. At the end of the season, it is disassembled, washed, lubricated with special oil and stored in a dry room.