Tips for creating solid footing

Avoid pitfalls of pathways with these tips from Rachael Shuler of Environmental Designs and Paul Hartman of Changing Landscapes.

Consider use. “First off, ask how often the path will be used,” Shuler said. “The path makes it obvious where to walk so landscape doesn’t get trampled, but think about kids and dogs and lawns.”

Hartman said, “You need to know whether a mower has to pass through the path.”

Width matters. Hartman prefers main paths measuring 4-feet wide “That way, two people can walk side by side,” he said. “A less-used path can be 3-feet wide, or 30 inches is comfortable for a path to garage doors or to patios or decks. If you’re just walking through the garden, a stepping stone path could be 18- to 24-inches wide.”

Pick materials. Consider existing architecture when selecting stone or pavers that will match or contrast with existing structures. Hartman said, “If it’s a pathway to a front door or a garage door, you probably want a solid, hard surface. If it’s a path through a perennial garden to another living space like a patio or seating area, you could use steppingstones.”

Fairly new to the marketplace, 1-inch thick textured porcelain tiles can be installed atop coarse sand for a straight-edged path.

Rustic paths can be made with 2- to 3-inch thick rounds cut from tree trunks. “Wood will eventually rot out, but it’s a unique look,” Hartman said.

Mountain trails often are crusher fines, chipped rock with powdery sandy, also called “breeze.”

Hartman said, “Soil stabilizers on top keep it from feeling mushy when wet.” He recommended StaLok: “It compacts and becomes almost like asphalt, but it comes in black or gold.”

Safety f irst. Round rock such as pea gravel or river rock can be slippery as ball bearings underfoot. “It moves a lot and gets kicked out, and I don’t recommend it. Crushed rock or angular rock works better because it locks together and packs down,” said Hartman. “If building a stone or paver path, it’s all about getting a good strong base of at least four inches of road base or squeegee, coarse sand. A big mistake do-it-yourselfers make is to put pavers directly on soil.”

Make sure plant material between stones on a path is under an inch tall. And trim bordering plants to keep the pathway a clear and safe passageway.

Level up. “It’s important that paths are level,” Shuler said. “It’s very uncomfortable to walk on a path with more than two or three percent side slope. It doesn’t feel right.”

Hartman said, “If doing gravel or crusher fines, tamp well below before putting down material to prevent settling to some degree. Then tamp crusher finds after laying it.”

Avoid washout. “With aggregate paths, be careful about drainage,” Shuler said. “Our crazy, heavy rainstorms can wash out paths.” Make sure your downspouts and your neighbors’ aren’t directed toward aggregate paths. — Colleen Smith, Special to