What is the best but inexpensive landscape material to build a walkway through woods?
Question:I am building about a 100' long x 4' wide walkway through woods to an area next to a pond. I plan to put a swing or some other seating there overlooking the pond. I am also looking for an inexpensive and low-maintenance material for about a 10 x 20 area for the swing/seating area which will require little maintenance.
Answers:
If you want inexpensive, how does FREE sound to you?
You can make a nice pathway through the woods using tree chippings from the utility company or from tree trimming companies. They often will give away their trimmings that have been through the chippers.
I can pick up the chipped material at my local utility company, all I want and all for free. They have huge piles of it in their yard. I just have to load it and take it away.
The local tree-trimming companies here will even deliver a truckload of chipped material when they work in the area, as it saves them from having to pay dump fees, and the material doesn't go into the landfills.
So try calling your local utility company and ask them what they do with the tree trimmings. You can also call local tree-trimming companies and ask them.
You can't beat FREE for a good price!
get some inexpensive mulch, spread it about two inches thick all along the path.
I would go with a roll of landscaper's screen (lets water drain thru but prevents weeds from coming up), then applying about 6 inches of white limestone gravel. Have it delivered by the truckload. Buying in individual bags would cost a fortune.
I recommend the gravel because it is 100% natural.
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You can get some really nice paving stones for fairly cheap, building that long of a path with the interlocking ones will cost more, but you can always space them and pack dirt around them for a more natural look and to save on money. Or a simple gravel path since it is in the woods, maintain the natural appeal either way. Wood would make a solid even path, but requires alot of upkeep due to moisture, etc...
decomposed granite. Have it on my property, it is wonderful! Cheap and looks natural. I have big stones along the side. You can shape it any way you want. It takes a lot and it is heavy - but in the long run works for a natural looking path. It comes in tan and grey.
Oh boy. 600 sq ft of anything, is gonna cost. Pea gravel, available in several colors, is probably the cheapest route you can go.unless your like me and don't mind putting in a couple of weeks of back breaking labor to keep the cost down and using something somewhat unconventional materials...like busted brick from a tear down. A real old building made from soft brick is the ideal stuff but, busted up side walks will do.
Anyway, in either materials case, remove the sod. Pound the ground (rent a tamper), dump in the rock/brick (4 inches minimum), pound again. Done. Without edging it should "naturalize" nicely and stay weed free for years. Have fun, it'll be worth it.
If all the woods are yours, you're in luck! Go the the nearest rental center and rent a wood chipper and make your own wood chips. They make a fine walkway, blend with the surroundings and are maintenace free. If you have woods, you have fallen trees or trees that need to be harvested.
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