Garden Paths

I've built paths through the garden as I've thought of them. In other words, they get designed afterwards. Often I'll follow the original route walked by people or dogs. I've found that Taj-dog shows good sense when defining a path - he's nice and direct, with a few wiggles and diversions to inspect points of interest.

Wattle Woods Path

I always start off by trying for the fully romantic rambling look. A new path is "laid out" in the mind's eye and spaces are left in the plantings. I always end up using stones for edging - such a path can be shifted in a few minutes, or removed totally without any fuss. People also know where to walk.

I always plant too close to the edges. I should know by now that flaxes get fatter as well as taller. In the Hen House Garden Alchemilla Mollis has spread itself beautifully, and totally covers the path. I've indulged the self seeding nicotianas by Middle Path - then the path disappears as their large green leaves claim residence in its center.

Tired gardeners do not have the energy to sinuously wrap themselves around a pathside flax, particularly when carrying a bucket and shovel. Some of my dog-paths require gymnastic feats of bending to successfully be negotiated. Some need a sign banning wheelbarrows.

Other people's paths are inevitably more exciting than my own. I guess I always know where my paths lead to.

One thing is for certain - none of the Moosey paths will ever stay the same for very long.

House Path...
Sat 1st Nov 2008

Gardeners (and the household pets) used to have a wet grass trip from the house decking around to the back door. That was before a small path of paving stones was laid along the edge of the lawn.

Down the Garden Path...
Sun 29th Jun 2008

I've gardened here for fourteen years. Finally, for the very first time, the Moosey country garden finally has a network of great garden paths, down which it's a pleasure to be led!

DIY Paths...
Tue 14th Aug 2007

Any female gardener young and silly enough to belong exclusively to the 'Girls Can Do Anything' club - this series of articles is not for you! It contains helpful hints for the manipulation of non-gardening partners (or NGPs) into generally helping in the garden. This article deals with DIY paths.

New Oak Tree Path...
Thu 5th May 2005

Finally in autumn 2005 the Oak Tree Path in the Hen House Gardens gets its third and final modification - with just a little bit of plant shifting. Hopefully I've now got 'it' right!

Oak Tree Path...
Thu 3rd Mar 2005

The Oak Tree path was constructed at Easter 2001, and redirects gardeners through the Hen House Borders. The area planted with New Zealand natives is now separated from the end plantings around the two Scarlet Oaks...

Willow Tree Path...
Fri 23rd Jul 2004

The Willow Tree Garden is a recent new development at Mooseys - digging was finished in the spring of 2003. I've built a small path so a tired gardener can reach (and enjoy) the shade of the Willow Tree, with its stylish resident plastic seat.

Dog-Paths...
Mon 31st Dec 2001

I think my favourite paths are those which run right along the water race. They are collectively called the Dog-Paths The water sparkles and shines, and so many different types of plantings are enhanced by being near running water...

Hen House Garden Path...
Sun 30th Dec 2001

The Hen House paths are a very small network of paths from Rooster Bridge to the hen house and through the Hen House Borders to the grass area beyond...

Laundry Garden Path...
Thu 27th Dec 2001

I use stones for edging all the paths in the garden, but the path that leads from the laundry out to the back lawn has stones laid in concrete. There are even some steps here with stones in their surface...

Middle Garden Path...
Tue 25th Dec 2001

Middle Path starts at Middle bridge and winds gently through the plantings in Middle Border to reach the grass beyond. There are river stones along its edges...

Pump House Path...
Mon 10th Dec 2001

The pump-house sits on the fence-line behind the pond surrounded by gumtrees. Until recently that has meant that the ground has been full of gum debri...

Wattle Woods Garden Path...
Sat 1st Dec 2001

The main path through the Wattle Woods starts down by the Pump House and winds gently up the slope towards the water race. There are Waimakariri River stones along its edge...