Greenhouse Path Options and how to lay it!

[Scarlet]

I want:
1. A path in the greenhouse ...and also
2. A "patio area" outside my greenhouse which at the moment gets wet and mucky in the rain and overgrown with grass. I would like an area that is easy to maintain, a space for my cuttings and potted plants (usually flowers) that i'm growing on for next year and a cold frame if I can wangle one for my birthday!

I grow direct in my greenhouse borders and the path in there at the mo is bare earth. It is hard from walking on but I would like a slab path that continues from the outside area. Can I just lay them straight on the bare earth? Or perhaps an easier solution is just lay a fabric membrane? Would that last? What have you grapes got?

The path leading to the greenhouse is grass and gets muddy in the rain. What I would like is a "hard standing" for my seedlings, young plants etc. Would I need to lay the slabs for this in sand/ concrete or can I just stick them direct on the ground. I could slice off the grass that's growing.....

Pic of the area outside attached!

[VirginVegGrower]

In the polytunnel, we put sharp sand on top of packed bare earth and slabbed on top, brushing in more sharp sand to fill the gaps. In the greenhouse, where I don't have borders, we concreted a base, sinking a wine bottle for a runaway hole, which we took out once set. We also left a strip down the middle, with shuttering, that Mr VVG laid a nice herringbone brick path in. It is permanent though with concrete mix brushed in and watered. Depends whether you want to have the ability to take it up again, or rearrange in the future.
I am not sure that laying them on membrane is a good idea as they may slip around, unless you sharp sand on top of it. I get no weed growing through mine and that's without membrane.
Jeez, on reading, that's an awful lot of waffle and I am not even sure I have helped. Would you put boards in to lay your slabs up to? Or maybe look at gravel/pea shingle on membrane?

[rustylady]

I would go for slabs, rather than pea shingle or gravel. In my experience pea shingle gets kicked all over the place (landlord thought it would be a good idea to cover the front garden in the stuff )

[gardenpassion]

I have paving slabs for a path in the ghouse, laid on membrane or its a constant battle of the weeds.
I have a patio directly outside for the same reasons as you want one, simply membrane underneath with sand brushed in between the slabs. I relaid it this winter with membrane underneath as last year drove me mad with weeds coming through.

[out in the cold]

What about the decking tiles you can buy in B&Q? They are about 3 quid each and we have some alongside our shed, simply set into the bare earth.

They are about 18inches square IIRC

[susieq100]

We put down membrane covered with pea gravel all around the outside of the greenhouse. It has been down 3 years now and I occasionally get a weed fighting its way through, but they are very easy to deal with! Inside the greenhouse because it is standing on really heavy clay soil, I have also put down membrane and gravel and put some slabs down the middle for a path. All of my tomatoes and cukes etc are grown in bags. It has worked quite well so far, but my greenhouse is MUCH smaller than yours - she said enviously.



Found a pic taken - not 3 years, only 2.

[Scarlet]

What about the decking tiles you can buy in B&Q? They are about 3 quid each and we have some alongside our shed, simply set into the bare earth.

They are about 18inches square IIRC

I found some if those in my shed!!! They will be going down this week in my secondhand greenhouse. I'm going to use slabs on the other one for my birthday!

[Scarlet]

but my greenhouse is MUCH smaller than yours

I waited 10 years for that!

[Madasafish]

freecycle slabs laid on sand...

[Scarlet]

Hmm hadn't thought of free cycle. I popped to a DIY store and the cheapest I could find were £2.30 each but were very heavy so I had to leave them there . I think I need a DIY man around the house...

[out in the cold]

Here are the ones I mean, as modelled earlier by the lovely Maisie, who is trying to look aloof for the camera

[veggiechicken]

They ^^^^ (not the lovely Maisie) make me think of............cut down pallets Most things do these days

[Scarlet]

[IMG]
Here are the ones I mean, as modelled earlier by the lovely Maisie, who is trying to look aloof for the camera

You will be really impressed with me!! I laid the same path in my greenhouse today. I just didn't have time to take a photo cos it was my 15th wedding anniversary (i'd forgotten!!)and my OH dragged me out of the GH for a surprise night out....will put pic up tomorrow..

[out in the cold]

Happy anniversary. Hope you had a great night out

[KittyColdNose]

Happy anniversary Mr & Mrs Scarlet