Looking for a lawn alternative? The Lawn Reform Coalition has set up a Flickr pool with some suggestions.
Have you replaced a conventional lawn? If you have tell us what you put in its place.
Via Garden Rant
The United States Department of Agriculture has just released a new zone hardiness map that reflects both a warming climate and new algorithms that take into account things like terrain, and proximity to bodies of water. The map is also now searchable by zip code.
You can access the new map here: http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb .
For the background on how this map is different from the previous (1990) version, the USDA has a press release.
A new feature on Root Simple: picture Sundays. Today, the first fruit tree on our compound to break dormancy–a Tropic Snow peach.
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| Ghandi in 1909, source Wikimedia. |
Interdependence is and ought to be as much the ideal of man as self-sufficiency. Man is a social being. Without interrelation with society he cannot realize his oneness with the universe or suppress his egotism. His social interdependence enables him to test his faith and to prove himself on the touchstone of reality
— Mahatma Gandhi, Young India, March 21, 1929
(emphasis ours)
So you’ve set your goals and have a scale drawing of the land you plan to garden. What’s next? Paths! Paths keep you from compacting soil and lend visual interest to your garden. Some tips:
Establish a path hierarchy
Create wide paths with smaller branching paths. Think of the human circulatory system:
Or fractal patterns found in nature, like tree branches:
Now our property is so small that, when I’m done re-doing the backyard it will only have two main paths and one or two branching paths, but the path hierarchy concept is scalable to any piece of land large or small.
Put paths where people walk
Avoid what’s called in the landscape architecture biz “vanity paths,” i.e. paths that look good but aren’t actually used. If people are taking a shortcut, make that a path!
Path size
A comfortable path is probably no smaller than 18 inches. If you’re designing a public garden where wheelchair accessibility is an issue make the path no smaller than 3 feet. For two people to pass each other you need 5 to 6 feet, though a path that big would be for a larger piece of land than we own. Consider the size of any tools or wheelbarrows you might need to accommodate.
Materials
I’m fond of mulch. It’s free, easy to maintain and breaks down into soil. I’ve used gravel in the past–it looks nice but it can be hard to keep clean over time. Stepping stones also work nicely. As for edging, I’ve been using river rock as it’s easy to find in my area.
Create gathering areas
Paths should open up in to larger seating areas. We have a deck area for entertaining visitors and a smaller spot that I use as an outdoor office in the summer months. A school garden might have an outdoor classroom off of a main path.
I can’t emphasize how important paths are, both aesthetically and for preventing soil compaction. Years ago Kelly suggested the path we just put in and it’s a real improvement to the garden. Perhaps listening to your wife is a design lesson for another post!
Special thanks to Darren Butler and Scott Kleinrock for inspiring this post.
