Planning Pathways

I have a large backyard that is not landscaped and I want to begin the process of planning where the walkways and beds should be. I have thought of either:

A) a very longgggg length of flexible rope - but I'd need to cut it in places, then might change my mind and want the path somewhere else.

B) the kind of powder that is used to mark football fields. Not sure where to buy or what the cost.

C) sketch it out on paper - maybe this would work for me, but I'm not too artistic, and the visual is not the same as seeing it On The Ground.

What do you all do?

TIA
Mary

Hi Mary! I use hoses (we have several) for a rough design, then spray paint as I start to nail it down (doesn't work so hot on dirt though). Harbor Freight has huge rolls of very small cheap rope that would be perfect to help plan your lines.

Lynn

Rust oleum has a spray can marking chalk that's not permanent

I have used lime after laying out my path with hoses. Can't remember where I got the idea, but read it somewhere or other by some expert or something. Gosh - what a memory I have!!! At least I remembered the lime.

All good ideas. Hoses or rope, powdered lime, marker spray, I could even just use sand I guess. Didn't think of it till just now. Walk around an area and trickle a bit of sand as you walk, kick it in (or around) to re-plan an area. Thanks all.

I *did* hit Harbor Freight today and grabbed up 600' of yellow poly prop rope on a roll for $10. I suspect I'll use a combo of rope, marker, and sketching.

Thanks again. Pictures when things look a bit better.

Mary

We'll be watching, Mary!!! (Great buy on the rope!)

I'm chiming in a little late. I'd sure consider all of the tools you've mentioned. I think I'd stick with the yellow rope or the hose... you can easily change you mind/direction without marking up the dirt and needing to erase the chalk or lime.

Paths are tricky...IMO. Paths lead you to something. I'd like o let the lot tell you where you want to put whatever (horseshoe pit, chaise, lunch table, fire pit.... etc.) I think you've thought this out already, though, Mary!

This message was edited Jan 12, 2007 8:49 PM

You're probably right, Aguane, but I found that if I didn't mark it with something (after laying out the hoses the way I wanted my path) that it was a problem. The hoses move (as does rope) and if you're digging an edge, that's not a good thing!

I am eager to follow Mary's progress (will you photograph all the way along, Mary?).

Progress photos, yes. I like to do that too.

To clarify. The rope is only termporary. When we start digging an edge, I will have used something that does not move, like the Rustoleum marking paint.

I have several 11" x 14" copies of my lot lay out. I think I will sit out in the yard, pencil in the horseshoe pits (which are now permanent after having been moved once due to poor planning - throwing into the setting sun. Duh!). Add the shed we put in recently, and the two trees we will soon add. The firepit is mobile, which we like, it's just one of those big dish thingies. I'll sketch in where the paths might be - from various firepit areas to the woodpile, from the horsehoe pit back to the house from the house to the veggie garden and compost area, etc. - then put the rope down and leave the rope in place for a while to see how it works.

A neighbor has huge pine trees. Someone in one of these forums gave me the idea to use pine needles for the pathways, sounds like a good idea. Other places I'll put down pavers and sometimes sink river rock with thyme between the rocks. I would love to afford some flagstone but don't know that it's in the budget. I can collect river rocks for free. Those are the paths I'm planning. Which paths go where? It'll be fun. Thanks for your help and ideas.

Here's a picture of The Ugly Third of an Acre. - While looking for that shot I decided to give you a bit of a tour so you can get some perspective. I know we all like pics so here's a series of probably 4 or so pics of our place, which we like very much. Begin with The Ugly Third Acre - this is where the horseshoe pit used to be, the view is looking west. The ugly chain link fence is being gobbled by a row of Lady Banks roses.

Meant to mention - we cover the horseshoe pits with shade cloth due to cats, ours and neighborhood roamers.

This message was edited Jan 13, 2007 7:48 AM

This shot is just to the left of the one above and is a bit longer shot. That's a huge carob tree on the left which is probably 30-years old. It's messy but we love that old tree much.

This message was edited Jan 13, 2007 8:22 AM

This is a nice shot, looking out from our huge, arched patio. BTW, we bought this place two years ago this month - and we bought the yard and the patio. The house came with it!!

Last one. This is on the way to thre [relocated] horseshoe pit. You walk through the right-most archway.

These pics are all from Aug 2006, the Lady Banks have really grown and are filling in nicely but still have a ways to go.

Thanks for taking the tour with me!
Mary

This message was edited Jan 13, 2007 8:21 AM

Mary, sensational!!! And I do understand buying the yard and the patio (in my case the yard and the deck), the house came with it. On the other hand, DH bought the house and the yard and deck came with it!!!

Love the tour - you gave a good visual for us!