Making Paths & Walkways: Creative Ideas and Simple Techniques

Full-color photographs and detailed instructions explain how to create a wide variety of walkways and paths to suit an array of landscapes and sites from such materials as stone, brick, concrete, gravel, pine needles, straw, bark, and more.

Paige Gilchrist Blomgren takes an almost spiritual approach to this new book. "We long to head out," she says in the introduction, "to explore new territory, change our surroundings, and find a better--or just different--view. We daydream about setting out for parts unknown as we contemplate paths to wisdom, spiritual paths, and--in the wee hours--the notion of the one true path."

Regardless of your destination, choosing your path is a significant and defining part of the journey. It is much the same in your garden, yard, or entryway at home, where paths and walkways create a feeling, a presence, an amusing diversion, a hint of things to come, or simply a warm welcome.

This is a comprehensive manual that covers all the basics: siting; design and positioning of a path; discussions of all manner of materials that can be used; and basic how-to advice for planning, grading, clearing, marking, leveling, digging, and providing for proper drainage.

At the same time, Blomgren's sense of history and many-layered view of gardening and life make this an unusually deep and enjoyable look at more than the basic nuts and bolts of creating walks and pathways. The book is generously illustrated with helpful drawings and beautiful color photographs of gorgeous walks and paths, and lively descriptions and photographs from famous walkways and paths in history are sprinkled throughout the book. Blomgren has made "choosing your path in life" clear and attainable in this lovely and lively book. --Mark A. Hetts