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Replies

• 

  Glenn Ellis February 19, 2012 at 7:51pm

  
  
  Gaynor @ www.witchardgardens.com said:

  Hi Glenn

  Congratulations! My very first design incorporated a curvy path too. My design was to scale and included all dimensions. My landscapers marked it all out with spray according to the plan so it shouldn't be a problem for you if you have competent landscapers who can read plans.

  I don't get involved with marking out or the build (except to nose around sometimes) and leave it to the landscapers as mine know exactly what they are doing.

  Thank you Gaynor that is re-assurring, lets hope my landscaper is competent ! Best make sure I am familiar with my drawing  Regards Glenn
• 

  Adam Pilgrim February 19, 2012 at 7:57pm

  Just a quick thought Glenn, possibly a little off topic I know, but how are you planning to edge said wavy bark path?

  Will it be slightly sunked to allow for 'topping up' as the bark naturally degrades?

  From a garden maintenance persons point of view, whilst curved paths do look nice, if not edged correctly, they can be difficult to maintain. One property I currently maintain has a curved gravel path leading throughout the garden, surrounded on both sides by lawns, but no edgings...It is very difficult to maintain its appearance and also hard work to prevent my mower continuously 'eating' gravel, with the corresponding risk of damage to machine and property.

  Another property has log roll type edging along the curved paths, rounded edges out, very time consuming to maintain also as it is difficult to cut the edge between lawn and log roll edging with shears and the strimmer line I use would shred the wood of the edging to pieces and make it look most untidy.
• 

  James @ KentGardening February 19, 2012 at 8:10pm

  One really great product I have used before on gravel and bark chip paths is Everedge (Whilst other similar products are available I have used this one) It builds quickly and looks less bulky than timber edge alternatives. That said, I do like a nice 4 x 1 timber edge but if the path is going to be curvy this is a great option. 

  

  http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm
• 

  andy @Doughty Garden Maintenance February 19, 2012 at 8:11pm

  I would agree with you there Adam, maintenance is often over looked by the design side of things, I have experienced similar in some of my jobs.

  Also, bark chipping are very attractive to blackbirds who like to chuck it all over the place.

  Not trying to be negative about your first design Glenn but like Adam just trying to give a viewpoint from a maintenance side of things.

  Good luck mate,

  Andy.

  
  
  Adam Pilgrim said:

  Just a quick thought Glenn, possibly a little off topic I know, but how are you planning to edge said wavy bark path?

  Will it be slightly sunked to allow for 'topping up' as the bark naturally degrades?

  From a garden maintenance persons point of view, whilst curved paths do look nice, if not edged correctly, they can be difficult to maintain. One property I currently maintain has a curved gravel path leading throughout the garden, surrounded on both sides by lawns, but no edgings...It is very difficult to maintain its appearance and also hard work to prevent my mower continuously 'eating' gravel, with the corresponding risk of damage to machine and property.

  Another property has log roll type edging along the curved paths, rounded edges out, very time consuming to maintain also as it is difficult to cut the edge between lawn and log roll edging with shears and the strimmer line I use would shred the wood of the edging to pieces and make it look most untidy.
• 

  Jenny Bloom February 19, 2012 at 8:58pm

  Hi Glenn, agree about retaining edge. Have you done a setting out plan for the contractors to mark where the curve is and to to get the curve the  'right' shape (ie to translate onto the ground the shape you have created on paper).

  With a curvy path, you can do this by arcs if you can identify the centre (by triangulation from fixed pints), radius and arc length etc of the circle  - or by offsets, measuring say every 50cm to a known straight line (again endpoints of line triangulated from fixed points). This may be boundary wall, or of the curve is more an 'S' shape, then maybe a line through the middle with + and - dimensions and noting the angle of the line. The offsets are always at right angles to the line. If you are working in Vectorworks, both these approaches are made wonderfully simple. If working by hand, choose the one which is most appropriate for the site and the curve. Measure on ground according to setting out plan,  then spray out and if you can view the proposed path lines from an upstairs window, all the better.

  Good luck!
• 

  Glenn Ellis February 20, 2012 at 5:58pm

  Thanks Adam, I will definitely get some edging in, great tip .
  
  Adam Pilgrim said:

  Just a quick thought Glenn, possibly a little off topic I know, but how are you planning to edge said wavy bark path?

  Will it be slightly sunked to allow for 'topping up' as the bark naturally degrades?

  From a garden maintenance persons point of view, whilst curved paths do look nice, if not edged correctly, they can be difficult to maintain. One property I currently maintain has a curved gravel path leading throughout the garden, surrounded on both sides by lawns, but no edgings...It is very difficult to maintain its appearance and also hard work to prevent my mower continuously 'eating' gravel, with the corresponding risk of damage to machine and property.

  Another property has log roll type edging along the curved paths, rounded edges out, very time consuming to maintain also as it is difficult to cut the edge between lawn and log roll edging with shears and the strimmer line I use would shred the wood of the edging to pieces and make it look most untidy.
• 

  Glenn Ellis February 20, 2012 at 6:00pm

  
  
  James @ KentGardening said:

  One really great product I have used before on gravel and bark chip paths is Everedge (Whilst other similar products are available I have used this one) It builds quickly and looks less bulky than timber edge alternatives. That said, I do like a nice 4 x 1 timber edge but if the path is going to be curvy this is a great option. 

  

  http://www.everedge.co.uk/home.htm
• 

  Glenn Ellis February 20, 2012 at 6:01pm

  Thanks James, probably use that one.
• 

  Glenn Ellis February 20, 2012 at 6:03pm

  
  
  Jenny Bloom said:

  Hi Glenn, agree about retaining edge. Have you done a setting out plan for the contractors to mark where the curve is and to to get the curve the  'right' shape (ie to translate onto the ground the shape you have created on paper).

  With a curvy path, you can do this by arcs if you can identify the centre (by triangulation from fixed pints), radius and arc length etc of the circle  - or by offsets, measuring say every 50cm to a known straight line (again endpoints of line triangulated from fixed points). This may be boundary wall, or of the curve is more an 'S' shape, then maybe a line through the middle with + and - dimensions and noting the angle of the line. The offsets are always at right angles to the line. If you are working in Vectorworks, both these approaches are made wonderfully simple. If working by hand, choose the one which is most appropriate for the site and the curve. Measure on ground according to setting out plan,  then spray out and if you can view the proposed path lines from an upstairs window, all the better.

  Good luck!
• 

  Glenn Ellis February 20, 2012 at 6:05pm

  Hi Jenny, thank you for such a detailed reply. I used sketchup which seems to produce quite useful layout plans without too much effort so I hope they proof to work as well. I gave them to the landscapers for their estimates. Regards  Glenn