This fortnightly feature was published on October 4


Introducing steps or a path in a garden is necessary, particularly after rains, when you want to sit out in the garden and the paths are soft, writes Satish Narula

Oh, to be led up the garden path

GARDENING is seasonal and planning it is time specific as far as buying plants pots, laying grass and making beds are concerned. There are a few features that a gardener can introduce in his garden at any time of the year. These are: making steps, cat-paws and paths.

Introduction of these features gives the landscape a dynamism and are noticed at once by a regular visitor. This also adds colour and texture to a garden when pebbles, chips and stones with different hues are used.

In a small garden, a passage sometimes becomes a compulsion because repeated treading on the lawn, leads to yellowing browning and ultimately drying of grass. Thus creating a passage or steps is imperative.

Introducing steps or a path in a garden is also necessary after rains when you want to sit out in the garden and the paths are soft. Installing small statues, a rockery, a small pond, miniature topiary, earthen ware pots and stones in a garden gives a new lease of life to it but go unnoticed.

Such paths or steps lead the visitor to a particular feature or area. Putting long-stride stone-steps will help if you do not want the visitors to look at things stored. Make sure you put large, stepping-stones with a curved back. It will form a passage and also create an effective visual interest.

When we discuss paths and steps, we do not include a patio, terrace, main drive or pathways. Carriageways meant to drive in need solid foundations and are not changeable. In the case of steps and pre-cast cat-paws you can effect repeated changes in your garden since all you need is imagination. Pre-cast steps of varied shapes, sizes and colours can be used alone or in combination with small or big pebbles, chips, white small river stones or even burnt coal can be used along with pre-cast steps to make a path.

Sometimes even small slabs are used to create paths and when they are tightly woven together they can serve as a seat as well as a base for garden furniture. When the slabs have spaces in between the remaining pockets could be used for planting.

Creation of paths essentially gives a line that a walk should take. When there is an obstruction such as a clump of bushes or a tree the course has to be diverted and a departure made from the straight line. This tucked away effect, given by bush or shrub, will create an element of surprise or curiosity in the garden.

For introducing crazy paths into your garden, you could procure random-shaped crazy stones that are available for a song. But remember, such paths need a solid base or else the smaller pieces can be displaced and can cause obstructions. At the same time, by embedding stones in mortar, you can make good patterns and a comfortable walking path..