Design help please - Path/Edging

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Mr Grinch, Jan 29, 2012.

  1. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    Hi all,

    Im thinking of doing a garden path made from reclaimed bricks. The bricks im thinking of are the building brick types. Firstly how would you do this ?

    Any help appreciated.

    G
     
  2. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    I used up some old bricks from a chimney stack that was removed and half buried them on a slant if you get what i mean....they have suffered frost damage but if you don't mind the rustic look they look really nice:dbgrtmb: if i find a pic i'll post it....:dbgrtmb: They've been in for at least 10 years and still look good......Also done a small path...can be a bit slippery but if you are aware of it you know to becareful......i just laid them on compacted soil.....Remember i'm a girl so not into all the technical stuff but it's worked a treat.....
     
  3. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    Great, if you have a pick that would be brill :thumbsup:
     
  4. Boghopper

    Boghopper Gardener

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    Picture 043.jpg
    Is this the sort of thing you mean Loli? I did this garden a few years ago and used new bricks from Travis Perkins. They're hand - made but not that expensive and weather well.
     
  5. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    That's it Boghopper:dbgrtmb:
    Found a pic of edging ....will try and get pic of path.....
     

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  6. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    Not really guys. Was thinking of using them flat. I could then mow over them. Your way of doing it would mean it would be difficult to mow up to :(

    BUT that is the idea. Using the weathered reclaimed brinks in a pattern for the path, then using the same bricks as a flat edging.

    I would probs using cement on the edging but would as you say compacted earth be secure enough for the path ?

    G
     
  7. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    Yes i think if you cement the edges and lay a bed of sand on top of the well compacted soil it should do the trick....i suppose it also depends on how much 'traffic ' will pass over it....but i've had barrows of rubble and gravel go over mine and it hasn't moved:thumbsup:
     
  8. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I wouldn't use house bricks for a path. They get slippery in the wet and if they are ordinary house bricks they absorb water and break up in the frost. Best thing to use are pavers (paving blocks), they are cheaper too. You can get rustic ones that look antique if thats the effect you want.
     
  9. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    Looking at Monty Don's "rustic" brick paths, it looks like he's just used old bricks, replacing as an when they break up really badly. Im not too bothere about that, put the slippery thing may be an issue.

    Would the new pavers look too clinical ?

    regards
    G
     
  10. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    New pavers would weather in time....
    The small path i laid can get slippery at this time of the year as it gets very little sun to dry it out but in the summer it's fine:thumbsup:
    I see exactly what JWK means though about the new bricks that are made for the job....i used old bricks as a way to use them up because they were driving me nuts piled up in the garden:)
     
  11. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    I guess so, they will weather as lolli says, obviously it's up to you, just my opinion.

    The brick slipperyness is worse if the path is in the shade, if you have a south facing garden with little shade it probably won't be a problem using bricks :thumbsup:
     
  12. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    It's a South East faing garden so hopefully will be ok.
    I'll have a look in my local reclamation yard then cost it with the purpose made pavers to get an idea :thumbsup:
     
  13. Mr Grinch

    Mr Grinch Total Gardener

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    Just to re-open this thread.

    Wrather than edging im now thinking of doing a path.

    Now i cant decide whether i want the path to go around the lawn or through the middle. As it stands the stepping stones are all wrong and need to be changed. I want a more formal garden wrather than curves.

    Any thoughts on this ? Advice and guidance for me would be greatly appreciated.

    [​IMG]

    G
     
  14. Lolimac

    Lolimac Guest

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    I'd maybe try a straight path right down the middle with one or two small offset paths either side:) just an idea...then consider your planting scheme....i may not have explained myself very well but i know what i mean:heehee: hope this helps :dbgrtmb:
     
  15. *dim*

    *dim* Head Gardener

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    do you need a path? ....
     
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