What Paths Have You Got On Lottie?

[loopylou]

Hi guys

This may seem like a really stupid question! This is my first year on our allotment and I thought it would be alot easier maintenance wise to put a slab path running up the middle of the plot and beds either side (just trying to keep things simple for now).

The trouble is that when it rains the path becomes a death trap, especially when mud has been walked on it. Both me and lottie partner have fallen over, so has my little girl. He wants to pull it up and put down stones, but they would just get stuck to bottom of muddy wellies surely? What are everyone using as paths? We could grass it but then we'd have to take strimmer down to site and I was hoping to avoid that.

Sorry its such a dippy question, I'm quite intelligent really!!!!!!

Many thanks

Emma

[insy]

im not to great on paths, ive just started my allotment theres a thread in this section i keep updated i will be using weed supression sheets on all my paths to stop weeds and grass growing through and this also lets water through the sheet i do believe so if you wanted you could lay this down and maybe cover with bark/chippings? straw? this will keep weed/grass at bay plus give it a nice look

but im no expert tbh i thought id just give my input

thx
regards
ben

[Jeanied]

I have a central slab path - with beds running off it either side - I haven't really found it gets muddy any more because I don't walk on the beds - I have membrane down on the little paths between the beds with bark on top of that.
If you need to you could lay chicken wire or some such over the top of the slabs, tucked in down the sides, so you don't slip.
My slab path is so useful as it forms a good backbone to the whole plot. The only thing blocking it at the moment is a mound of pumpkin / squash runners which are fruiting away merrily.

[Mrs Dobby]

We've got bark chippings laid down over weed control fabric (and an old tent that got cut up to make weed control fabric!), this is laid between wooden bed edging, and works well for grip, but you do still get weeds growing in it, especially after a few years when the lower levels start to compost! It can look good though, if you hoe the weeds off regularly (or pull them up - or if you prefer weedkill them), but can be a bit of work topping it up twice a year and weeding!

[Two_Sheds]

I have a central ...path - with beds running off it either side - I haven't really found it gets muddy any more because I don't walk on the beds

Same here, but my path is half grassy mud, half stones. The weeds come up through the stones which is a pain.
You shouldn't be working the garden when it's really wet anyway, because you'll compact the soil: I have slabs as stepping stones throughout my plot

I previously had bark paths, but bark rots and needs replenishing every year

[pipkins]

The paths on mine are membrane and wood chippings which we top up when looking a little thin and I have a few paths made from stones which are ok but a little weedy.

[zazen999]

Mine are weed fabric with sawdust on top; sawdust because we get huge bags for free and it compacts down well if you put it down on a day just before it rains and stomp it down well.

When it looks a bit wornout, we use it for mulch and add some more.

[frogdoctor]

Me...I`ve got grass pathways...but they do need to be cut/mowed, which is no problem for me, I just sling my petrol mower in my car once every so often, drive down to my plot, cut the pathways, strim the edges, and bob`s your uncle, so has not to waste a trip by using my car (I usually use my bike) I take with me all my green waste from home which amounts to a few large bags, which is then composted.
So Emma it`s grass pathways for me..

[CaroltheCarrot]

I have Type 1 gravel on mine,it is a bit uneven in bits but it does stop a lot of weeds coming through

[arpoet]

As our allotment is very steep, surrounded by privet hedges and my pal being blind, we have laid stone and concrete slabs, picked up for free in local skps and off freecycle, next to the hedge and upto the shed and patio at the top. The patio under the bramley apple tree is made from used and reclaimed house bicks. Its grand to sit up there on a nice day supping tea and putting the world to rights
roger

[The Large One]

on our allotment at the moment it's just compacted the ground down for paths, nightmare when wet as you end up 2" higher after walking on it
but have a cunning plan
bread delivery trays, you know the type bakers have delivering bread and cakes in. Worked in a field kitchen recently for an event and all the rolls turned up in about 25 of these so i'm going to cut the bottom out which is like a grid and lay on the soil so plenty of grip and still allows the rain through...yes, will have to weed still but free

[Two_Sheds]

bread delivery trays, ... lay on the soil

Are these UV stable? I guess they are, but if not they will shatter into a million pieces after about a year. I once used those clear plastic storage boxes as cloches: nightmare

[The Large One]

Dohhhhh !!

never thought of that
i may have to take a chance and see
they are not totally rigid, so a bit of give in them so hopefully (famous last words)

[roitelet]

Straw, no mud, very few weeds, non slip and CHEAP. Thats because the local farmer gives me huge bales that are unfit for the animals.

[Two_Sheds]

they are not totally rigid

I started collecting blue fish boxes last year, thinking "what great trays", but they are very brittle and prone to break very easily (like if you lift them full, with one hand)