Our readers often ask for cheap DIY garden path ideas, because nothing makes a garden more charming than winding stone paths leading from one place to another. But even functional paths are better than none at all. If cost is a consideration – and it often is! – consider these cheap and charming DIY garden path ideas.
4 cheap garden path ideas
Creating a walkway isn’t rocket science, and with determination and a little creativity, any gardener can build an economical path across the landscape. To get you started, here are some fun walkway plans you can build yourself.
Option 1: Mossy Trail
(Image source: Jose A. Bernat Bacete / Getty Images)
A moss path is both charming and inexpensive. This is one of many attractive low-cost stepping stone path ideas. All you need is a shovel or garden rake, stepping stones or pavers, and moss pavers. Note that this only works in damp, shady areas.
Here’s how to do it: Loosen the soil in the path area, then place the stepping stones or pavers. They should be close enough together that you can easily step from one to the next, but far enough apart that there is enough soil to support the moss. Once the stepping stones are in place, plant the moss panels in the bare areas, pressing them firmly into place.
Option 2: The Path of Walkable Trees
(Image source: Jose A. Bernat Bacete / Getty Images)
Walking plants are exactly what they sound like: plants that don’t die if you step on them. Yes, lawn grasses are such plants, but there are hardy, low-maintenance, drought-tolerant alternatives that require less effort and offer more charm. Many walking plants require no human effort once they’re established.
What climbing plants to consider? Some of our favorites include thyme, climbing vines, blue star ivy, veronica, and Corsican mint as some top choices.
Option 3: Pebble Walkway
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A gravel path is essentially a carpet of gravel, arranged in a design that you like. Some are very simple, all one or two colors of gravel, while others can be complex mosaics with swirls and patterns. This is a DIY project, so you get to choose the look you want and the effort you’re willing to put in.
Here’s how to make a simple gravel path. Lay out the path and clear it of any grass or rocks. Next, dig the soil about 4 inches (10 cm) deep, then fill the bottom half of that space with crushed stone. Mist it and tamp it down until it’s flat. Cover it with landscape fabric, then add edging — plastic or metal. Spikes on the edging hold the fabric in place. Layer the gravel evenly over the fabric.
To create a more beautiful pebble mosaic, separate the pebbles of different colors. Then design a pattern and place the pebbles of different colors in the right place.
Option 4: Mowing path
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A lawn path is one of my favourite DIY walkway ideas and is perfect for those who have removed their lawn to plant native wildflowers or grasses. You like the variety and movement of the native plants you have planted but don’t want to wade through them to get from one garden to another.
It’s great to just mow your own path. Decide where you want it and how wide you want it, then just mow that area to create an easy path to other parts of the garden.
The purpose of your path
As you consider different DIY walkway ideas, make sure you figure out why you want a walkway. What purpose will the walkway serve? And who will use it?
The obvious purpose of a garden path is to allow people to move from one part of the landscape to another. But the type of path depends on who is going where. Do you need to be able to reach distant garden beds to weed? Or access the compost pile? Or do you desire a charming winding path that takes visitors around the garden?
The answers to these types of questions will determine the best size, location, and material to create the path. A utility path (from the kitchen door to the compost pile) should be as direct and straight as possible. A winding path takes you on a little journey of discovery.
Land preparation
No matter what type of walkway you choose, you will need to prepare the site, clear obstacles, and level the area. This can be an expensive endeavor if you pay a landscaper to clear and level the walkway for the cement. But for DIY projects, such as grass paths, stepping stones, moss paths, or other plant paths, this is not necessary.
First, you’ll want to map out the path. Plan your test by marking it with string or even tubing, then leave it for a few days to make sure it’s in the right spot. Adjust as needed until you get it right.
Next, clear the soil. Remove rocks and weeds. Transplant any perennials that are growing in the walkway area.
Third, determine whether to level the scores. If so, now is the time.
