Garden Spaces: Herbs for Edging Paths and Beds

Enlarge Image Image Gallery Low-growing thymes are ideal for softening edges of walkways, planters and walls. Gayle Ford

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When planning and planting a new garden space, we gardeners like to carefully consider the shape of the bed, how we will prepare the soil, where to place trees and shrubs, and what plants we will feature. One of the last things we think about is the edge of the garden, where it meets a path or lawn. Yet a garden’s edge is the first part we see. It draws us in, sets the boundaries, and entices us with scents and softness. The edge, as much as anywhere else in the garden, demands both practicality and beauty.

Many herbs are perfect for edging perennial beds, vegetable gardens, foundation plantings and garden pathways. Placing herbs at the garden’s edge puts their fragrances out front and keeps their leaves and blooms within reach for frequent snipping. Some herbs, such as some thymes and chamomile, even can take occasional trampling by dogs, kids and other wild animals. Think of the edges of garden beds and walkways as wonderful opportunities for making the most of your favorite herbs.

First the Walkway

One of the best ways to gain an edge in garden design is to create a pathway. Pathways are essential not only for maintenance and harvest, but also for increasing our enjoyment of the garden by taking us into the middle of it.

The pathway should be the first thing you plan when designing a new garden space. I like simple mulched dirt pathways, with the garden beds mounding up on either side. But you might prefer stepping stones, rock, gravel, brick, boardwalk or other locally available material. Grass pathways look good, too, and are fairly easy to maintain.

Remember some basic rules when you design your walkway: 1) A path should have a destination to draw visitors into the garden. A garden destination can be a piece of art that acts as a focal point, a gate, a shaded bench, a water feature or bird bath—almost anything. 2) Paths should take you in the direction you would normally walk; otherwise you and your guests will want to save time by cutting through beds. And, 3) avoid making overly curving, fussy pathways; long, gentle curves are the most appealing.

For a simple mulched pathway, dig down about 3 or 4 inches all along the path, and toss the excavated dirt back onto the bed to raise it slightly. A raised bed will drain better, and most herbs need good drainage to thrive. Next, lay landscape fabric over the path to block weeds. Then top it off with the mulch of your choosing—a 3-inch layer of native hardwood mulch works well. Or try decomposed granite for a firm walking surface that you can easily rake clear of debris. Be sure to make your pathways wide enough for comfort; to allow two people to walk side by side through the garden, the path will need to be about 4 feet wide. A narrower pathway will allow you access to the interior portions for maintenance.

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