Plus, Why Every Garden Needs Paths
Keep reading to see photos of my progress—from the messy start to the satisfying finish! YAY.
Ever done something draining that somehow left you feeling refreshed?
For me, that’s gardening. 🌱
There’s something so rewarding about putting in the work, watching things grow, and seeing it all come together—little by little.
My Solo DIY Project
Recently, I took on a solo DIY project: building a garden path.
It was hard work—dragging materials, making decisions, and reworking my ideas—but also surprisingly peaceful.
Every paver I laid down was a literal reminder that every little step counts—in the garden and in life. And watching those steps come together remind me that some things have to literally grow into existence.
Let me tell you why garden paths are important—and how you can create your own without breaking the bank.
Why Garden Paths Matter
If you have a garden, you need paths.
Walking on the soil puts pressure on it, making it dense and compact.
And compact soil?
Well, compact soil can’t ‘breathe’ or nourish your plants the way loose soil does.
That’s bad news for plants.
Paths Protect, Organize, and Beautify
Garden paths protect plant roots: Compact soil makes it harder for roots to grow and spread. Paths keep your planting areas healthy, loose, and undisturbed by trampling feet.
Garden paths create flow + order: Paths help you move around your garden with ease while keeping things neat and tidy. Or as tidy as they get in a garden—because gardens can be messy.
Garden paths add visual richness: Let’s be honest—paths make gardens look intentional and beautiful! They direct traffic and steer the eye where you want it to go (including away from unsightly things).
Now that you know why paths are a must, let’s talk about how to make one—without overspending.
DIY Garden Path Ideas
The best part about garden paths?
You don’t need a big budget to create them!
Here are some simple, money-saving garden path ideas:
1. Repurpose materials you already have
📦 Use cardboard boxes: Cardboard makes a great weed barrier as a base for your path.
🪵 Upcycle wood: Got an old playset? Repurpose the wood for your garden path like we’re doing!
2. Build your path slowly over time
🧱 Build with new materials like bricks, stones, or cement pavers, but do it in phases.
📏 Lay down a few sections every so often to keep from spending too much at once. Do a small project every month, quarter, or annually.
This is our approach, and it’s working perfectly!
3. Mix and match materials
Combine materials like mulch, gravel, or stepping stones for a creative, textured look. We’re doing this too!
😬I’ve made some mistakes with matching materials.
But that’s the beauty of DIY—it’s okay to experiment.
At my house, every path is a unique work-in-progress!
Emphasis on the work-in-progress because I’m NO where close to finish.
Do I feel pressure about being a work-in-progress?
Yes, sometimes…
Especially when my niece says my yard looks like Groundhog Day because of all the piles of dirt. Ahahahahahaha.
But seriously, I’m learning to push past the discomfort and temptation to rush.
And choosing to stay committed to building over time versus all at once.
Remember what I said earlier—somethings have to grow into existence.
Start Small, Build Over Time
I wanna make this point very clear…
Just like anything in life, you can start small and build over time.
That same rule applies to garden paths.
That means they don’t have to be built all at once.
If you want to start small and take it step by step—do it.
Remember…
No matter what you’re building—a dream, a project, or a habit—every little step adds up.
Your Turn! Let’s Swap Ideas
I’d love to hear from you!
➡️ Working on any gardening projects or thinking about starting one?
➡️ Got any tips, questions, or curiosities about gardening in small spaces?
⬇️ Drop a comment—or tag me in your projects (garden photos too).
Maybe we can swap ideas! Talk later.
👋🏽 Hi, I’m LOLA ⸻ the creator of offbeat life advice brand, The Smoking Prophet, owner of a growing content agency, and cultivator of life (family first)!
Most days, you can find me at my desk, in my garden, or on the go. My super-social family keeps me on my toes!
Follow The Smoking Prophet to ignite your creativity, grow spiritually, and blaze your own trail online!
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