There are a number of concepts you may be considering when designing or upgrading your landscape, and one that’s particularly important if your landscape is designed for people to regularly move through it is the theme of flow. Landscape features like walkways, pathways and other related options are often some of those that must be most closely considered within this conceptual area.
At BioGrass Sod Farms, we’re here to provide a wide range of landscaping products to clients around Salt Lake City, including river rocks, gravel rock and numerous other landscape hardgoods like flagstone, boulders and more. Here are some basic tips on how to consider and maintain flow when designing any kind of walkway or pathway in your landscape, plus some important areas to be thinking about as you go about this process.
Purpose of the Walkway
While some may assume that landscape walkways are only created to allow people to get from one place to another without messing up the grass or other plant areas, there are actually several additional reasons you might consider a walkway.
Some of these include:
- Safety: Walkways can provide a designated path for people to follow, potentially preventing accidents and injuries that may take place if they were to cut through your landscape in an unorganized manner.
- Aesthetic: A good walkway can improve the visual appeal of your landscape, leading to a more pleasing overall aesthetic.
- Functionality: Walkways and pathways are often used for specific purposes such as directing foot traffic towards a certain area or creating designated areas for activities like outdoor dining or seating.
- Separation: In many cases, walkways serve to separate different areas of your landscape, such as a garden or flower bed from the main grassy area.
Elements to Avoid or Prioritize
As you’re laying out a walkway or pathway in your landscape, there are several key elements you should prioritize and others you may want to avoid altogether.
Some of these include:
- Slope: Be mindful of the slope of your walkway, both for safety reasons and to ensure proper water runoff that won’t damage other areas of your landscape.
- Width: Walkways should be wide enough for people to comfortably walk side by side, but not so wide that they dominate the landscape.
- Obstacles: Make sure your walkway avoids any potential obstacles like tree roots or large rocks that may cause tripping hazards. If certain areas of the landscape contain several such obstructions that cannot be avoided, you should consider building the walkway in a separate area of the landscape.
Materials Used
Another vital consideration when designing walkways or pathways is the materials you’ll use for construction. At BioGrass Sod Farms, we recommend using natural stone like flagstone or gravel rock to achieve a more organic look that blends well with your existing landscape.
Furthermore, you’ll want to consider what will go between or beneath the stones or rocks in your walkway. There are many plants that serve as fantastic ground cover options for walkways, such as creeping thyme or Irish moss.
You may even look to separate areas of landscaping products here, as well. Mulch or bark, for instance, can be placed between stones to reduce maintenance needs and weed growth.
Maintenance
If you’re building a walkway or pathway in your landscape, make sure you understand and commit to proper maintenance protocols. This includes regular sweeping to prevent debris buildup and maintaining proper drainage so the walkway doesn’t become slippery or damaged over time.
Additionally, consider adding lighting features for increased safety and visual appeal after dark. By prioritizing maintenance, you’ll ensure your walkway or pathway continues to serve its purpose effectively for years.
Designing a Flowing Landscape
Creating a landscape with proper flow is not just about designing walkways or pathways – it’s also about considering the overall layout of your space. Here are some additional tips for designing a landscape with good flow:
- Use curves: Instead of straight lines, incorporate curves in your walkways and other landscaping features to create a more natural and inviting flow.
- Vary sizes: Don’t be afraid to mix up the size and shape of different landscaping elements. Incorporating boulders or larger rocks into your landscape can add dimension and break up monotonous patterns.
- Consider viewpoints: As you’re designing your landscape, think about where you want people to stop and take in the views. Adding a bench or seating area can create a focal point and help guide flow through the space.
Flow is an essential aspect of any well-designed landscape. By considering factors like purpose, elements to prioritize or avoid, materials, and maintenance, you can ensure that your walkways and pathways not only serve their intended purpose but also contribute to the overall flow and aesthetic of your landscape.
At BioGrass Sod Farms, we’re dedicated to helping clients create beautiful, functional landscapes with our quality landscaping products. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you in designing a flowing landscape anywhere in SLC, whether through landscape hardgoods or other products like topsoil, fertilizer and more.