Any tips please.....

[stella]

I have finally decided, I am so fed up with the muddy paths around my veg beds that I am going to put down a proper path. I have cleared the paths from weeds, bought the fabric and ordered the gravel. Has anyone got any tips of the best way to do this

[bearded bloke]

For me the raised beds form the edging of the paths which are wood/bark chippings on top of weed fabric.
You will need some form of edging to retain the covering,I used chippings rather than gravel as I thought it less likely to puncture the fabric,that said rounded (rather than sharp) gravel should not be a problem

[stella]

I have raised beds and have used wood chippings before. How do you make sure the edges of the fabric stay down?

[Dorothy rouse]

I'm about to do the same thing, paths around the edge of plot, using wood chippings to keep it down. Have I misread, but you mention gravel, if that's going on top that'll keep it in place. Just use a brick or something to hold it in place whilst don't that. Sorry if I've misunderstood.

[bearded bloke]

Purely by the weight of chippings Stella,mine are 3"-4" deep (but I do have a free & virtually limitless supply )

[RedThorn]

Gravel can get messy and chipping/ mulch biodegrades.....

[Bill HH]

I did my paths a few years ago, the weeds came through the barrier as if it wasn't there. The moral is, dont use cheap weed barrier. With hindsight I think builders heavy guage plastic sheet might have been better. The thing is the barrier was worse than nothing because the weeds grew through it but their roots were under it, so when you tried to pull them out the roots stayed in. I have pulled most of it out now and find weeding the gravel is easy using a long handled fork.

[running_muttley]

I've used cardboard before on paths which was quite good and free.

[Dorothy rouse]

Should have added that like BB I also have an almost limitless supply of chippings, so easy to top up depth if and when necessary. Is supplied for us at site.

[running_muttley]

Where do you get a limitless supply of chippings from? Just a little bit jealous here.

[Dorothy rouse]

We are lucky, get loads dumped on site, assume come from council, our council allotment man organises it, is v helpful I must say.

[stella]

I have raised beds next to the path but what will stop the weeds growing at the edge between the bed and the fabric and pushing the fabric back?

For me the raised beds form the edging of the paths which are wood/bark chippings on top of weed fabric.
You will need some form of edging to retain the covering,I used chippings rather than gravel as I thought it less likely to puncture the fabric,that said rounded (rather than sharp) gravel should not be a problem

[stella]

Lucky you I have to pay for them and carry the chippings to the right place but I have found they melt down after a heavy winter and the weeds grow through

Purely by the weight of chippings Stella,mine are 3"-4" deep (but I do have a free & virtually limitless supply )

[stella]

Me too......

Where do you get a limitless supply of chippings from? Just a little bit jealous here.

[bearded bloke]

Where do you get a limitless supply of chippings from? Just a little bit jealous here.

Mine come from a local tree surgeon,he has two piles in his yard from when he is limbing trees,softwood on the left & hardwood on the right,for path's I use the softwood as fewer weeds seem to grow in it .