10 DIY Garden Path Ideas That Save Money and Boost Curb Appeal

The purpose of a garden path is to make it easier to get where you’re going. But garden paths are also important aesthetically, directing the eye toward a focal point or a destination. The good news is that several options perform both functions handsomely without breaking the bank.

Here are 10 money-saving ways to create a garden path that will make a big impact on your yard, not your wallet.

1. Mulch

Many rustic paths make use of a mulch of some kind, such as shredded bark, cocoa bean shells, or arborist chips. While bagged mulches are convenient, they are costly for big projects, even if you find open bags at half price or stumble upon steep summer holiday discounts. Buying in bulk usually saves you money, especially if you pick up the material yourself to avoid delivery fees.

2. Wood Chips

Wood chips, also called arborist chips, from tree cutting and pruning are usually quite plentiful and therefore available for free from municipalities, utility companies, and tree services. Some utilities and tree services will even deliver a load of wood chips directly to your driveway. In fact, you may end up with more than you need at first. Just stockpile any extra and use it to replenish the path in future years. 

3. Leaves

You probably won’t have to look beyond your yard to find a plentiful supply of leaves. The smaller leaflets of trees such as honey-locust, black locust, and Kentucky coffee tree can be spread on a path whole. In most other cases, it’s best to shred leaves first so they’re less likely to blow away in the wind or become slippery in the rain. Mixing them with lawn clippings helps to weigh them down. Leaves and grass clippings need annual or even semi-annual replenishing, as earthworms will nip away at the inventory.

4. Pine Needles

Although they are evergreen, pine trees do shed a portion of their needles each year. Instead of leaving them all as mulch beneath the trees, rake up excess needles, especially those that accumulate on driveways and along curbs. Pine needles tend to give way on slopes, so reserve them for relatively flat surfaces.

5. Log Rounds

When it comes to log rounds, the larger, the better. These wooden disks, which are cut from tree trunks, should be wide enough to easily accommodate foot traffic. A width of 18 to 24 inches is ideal, although smaller log rounds can be used if spaced closer together. In either case, make sure the rounds are at least 1-inch thick to support weight. Any wood will do; however, cedar, black locust, and white oak are the most rot-resistant.

6. Pea Gravel

Pea gravel is one of the least expensive types of gravel available. It’s well-suited to paths, as the small stones compact and provide a pleasant sound when stepped on. Pea gravel is cheapest when purchased in bulk. Small amounts of bagged material are also available for purchase and are best used to fill low spots or freshen up paths in future years.

The pea gravel needs to be hemmed in with metal, plastic, or brick edging set firmly in place. An underlayment of landscape fabric is also recommended to cut down on weeds. These additional items are well worth the extra cost because they keep the gravel in place and the path neat and tidy.

7. Secondhand Stone

Although you can buy fresh stone retail, it's also frequently available secondhand on online marketplace sites for a nominal price. It may even be free for the taking, courtesy of homeowners looking to update an older landscape left by a previous owner.

Plan on staking edging around the path perimeter to keep stones in place. Alternatively, use rocks as an edging; they may also be free if you live in a region with a plentiful supply.

8. Stepping Stones

The real value of stepping stones is that they are easy to set directly in the garden or lawn, and grass or other plants are allowed to grow freely around them. This not only looks great, but it also saves labor. Arrange square or rectangular stepping stones formally in straight lines or geometric patterns. For winding or flowing, informal designs, use naturally shaped, uncut specimens.

9. Turfgrass

The simplest path of all is mowed turfgrass, which withstands a fair amount of foot traffic, especially if augmented with stepping stones or log rounds. Keep the turf grass watered, fertilized, and aerated to keep it thick, strong, and resilient.

10. Groundcovers

Low-growing “carpeting” plants are an option for secondary paths that don’t receive heavy traffic. Some good candidates include creeping thyme, Irish or Scotch moss, white clover, creeping veronica, baby’s tears (Soleirolia soleirolii), and chamomile.