Where there once was lawn - a new fieldstone path

I've confessed to having second thoughts about the whole lawn removal project, but maybe it's just impatience with the work in progress, construction site look of the garden at the moment.  Compared with my neighbors' lovely green lawn, ya know.  But I'm over it (for now) and moving on.

When I last reported on this project I'd removed only the lower half of the lawn, which I was replacing with a variety of groundcovers, complaining all the while about it not looking good.  Well, I decided I wasn't ever going to like it because it  looked exactly like half a lawn had been removed; the design just didn't make sense.  So out came the rest of the lawn and the next step was to complete the fieldstone path across the whole space.  That meant a trip to the stoneyard.

Now here's my beef about stoneyards: They're NO PLACE for homeowners.  Even if you're not run down by a frontloader, it's really hard to find just a few of something, like the 13 fieldstones I needed.  The good ones are bundled up in pallet sizes and for small orders ya have to comb through what they call the "Loose Wall".  And some guy was already there doing the same thing, hunting for the largest and flattest from what would more appropriately be called the "Wall of Slim Pickings".  So rather than duke it out with him, I went in the office and asked if a new pallet could be opened up for us and it worked!  So I found 13 (barely) large enough fieldstones and completed the path.  And gardeners, you all agree that paths are fabulous, right?  Even when they're much narrower than the two-person width that we're always being told is the absolute minimum.

SLOW GARDENING
And this is a good opportunity to expound (again) on the topic of slowing down and getting it right, one of the advantages of DIY garden design.  Whether I'm creating a new border line or a path like this one, I always do it slowly and gradually, tweaking as I go, stepping back again and again to see if I like the look.  So what you see here is just one tweaking, with more adjustments to follow before they're dug into place.

Comments

[Katy]

I wonder if you are going to run into the same or similar challenges as I did when I installed a new moss garden (more about this on a brand new yet to be completed blog http://rustyspade.blogspot.com) You may want to consider small animal damage prevention. This is a wonderful project that I am watching closely. Thanks Katy

[Curtis]

Looks great and well worth your time finding the stone. I too try not to rush things and think on them before going nuts.

That is of course providing my wife is with me while I am at the garden center.:)

[Eric]

Susan: Always keep in mind there is no "one" right answer - ground cover issues are some of the hardest to figure out. It does take time, patience, and experimentation - sometimes you just have to "try-it-on" like a piece of clothing. I once had a garden years ago where I just couldn't figure out what do with one particular open space area...I tried lawn first, and then switched to ground cover, and then went with pea gravel raked in a zen pattern with an urn in the middle! The important thing is that you are open-minded and willing to experiment - so few people are willing to take chances. Looking at your photo, I'm wondering if have you thought about a massive moss planting? It would gibe you that lawn-like green look with low maintenace. It appears to be shady enough to handle moss perhaps? Or how about the most dwarf mondo grass? There's a great example of that dwarf moss planted in the Chinese Garden area at the Enid Haupt Garden down at the Smithsonian Castle on the National Mall in Wash DC. I also think a low, formal knot style planting in the open spce you've got might make an interesting juxtaposition to the surrounding, naturalized looking areas...just some thoughts.

[Kathy J, Washington Gardener]

As I read your complaint about stone yards I was thinking, "I should tell Susan to go insteadto Jack Irwin's" - and lo, when I hot the link - it was Irwin'd that you went to and disliked - LOL. All I can say is Irwin's is MUCH more user-friendly for us Gilda Gardener and Harry Homeowner types than the stone quarries off River Road that are my typical rock source stops.

[Benjamin]

Yes, ANY path is good, and I never subscribe to two person width. If I wanted two people in my garden at once I'd have two of me. Besides, you have to be forced into plants sometimes, to touch and smell them. I also had the same experience picking 80 steppers this summer--awful. I finally just said deliver any ole pallaet to my house and hopefully they'll work, and they did. And yes, taking it slow is always good adive--don't we all tend to go too fast? Like opening christmas presents when you're 7?

[bev]

If it makes you feel better, I think it's WONDERFUL that you took out your lawn. So many possibilities! I agree with taking it slow; some inspiration will come to you. The photo reminds me of the Japanese principle that negative space is just as important as positive (e.g., filled with different height plants) space. It is the contrast between the two that gives interest.

[Michelle Derviss]

Hi Susan,
If you want to avoid the bad dental look ( as in all your irregular cut flagstone lined up in row) try doubling up some of the pieces .
Instead of a single row of soldiers add in a few couples.

Here's a photo link of a former straight line path that was re-set using the double's method.

http://picasaweb.google.com/DeviantDeziner/Paths/photo#5060479934175114290

[susan harris]

Michelle, I LOVE the way that path looks but don't think it would be as easy to walk on. Every other step would land between 2 fieldstones, yes?

[Michelle Derviss]

Susan,
The path is very easy and intuitive to walk across.
The layout of the stones match a average persons gait.
It is basically the same layout as a single run but it gives the pedestrian a little more area underfoot .
The design is nothing new, it has been used in Japanese gardens for centuries .
I've had many garden tours and parties and it has performed well in regards to keeping the crowds moving easily and without breaking up a natural flow pattern.