Curving Your Pathway

Whether you build a path with flagstone, fieldstone, cobblestone or whatever other stones that can be used in a path, it is recommended to curve the path when possible. Curving paths look more natural and more pleasing to the eye. Now, you don't have to make it complicated and add twists and turns at every corner. A pathway shouldn't swerve just because you felt like having it do so (but, that is your choice); you need to have a reason to make it turn.

The curve could accommodate a tree, shrub, boulder, birdbath, or any object you can route the path around. A curving path through a flower bed looks better than a straight one. Accent the curve by placing tall, distinctive perennials or a shrub on the inside of the curve. A curve or curves can help keep a path on a slope from being too steep. A path leading around the corner of a building should curve to provide the shortest route to the side yard.

Making a path curve so that it disappears from sight brings out a bit of mystery. People will ask:

"What's around the bend?"

A visitor's curiosity can be rewarded if there's a nice bench, a hidden water feature, a unique planting feature, or an overall change in the style of the garden to discover.

Do all pathways really need to curve though? No, not really. Straight pathways lend formality to a garden, and a formal tone may be the look you want. A wide, straight pathway of flagstone (as described in our last two blogs) or cut stone leading from the street to the front door of a home makes an impressive statement. If the style of the garden is formal and includes garden beds defined by straight lines, curving paths may look out of place.

Flagstone Paths: Design, Use, and Cost

Design and Use

Flagstone is an excellent choice for paths in well-traveled areas. It brings a natural elegance to the garden and is suitable for both primary and secondary paths. When flagstone is fitted together tightly and care is taken to create a clean edge, the material matches the mood created by the most stately homes and formal landscapes.

Fitted more loosely, flagstone pathways complement all other styles and sizes of homes and yards. It's preferred by professionals to use limestone and sandstone for pathways in shady areas, where the lighter hues (a gradation or variety of a color) of the stone make the pathway more visible (usually in the evening).

Granite

In hot, sunny areas, the darker tones of slate and granite create a cooling effect. Direct sunlight will also cause the rich and varied colors of granite and quartzite to sparkle and shine. If you like color and brightness in a garden, you might want to consider trying these types of stones.

Quartzite

Flagstone is sturdy whether set in mortar or not. Even the heaviest wheelbarrow loads or lawn equipment traffic will not mar or damage a properly installed flagstone path.

Cost

Flagstone prices vary greatly across the country; the closer you live to an area where stone is quarried, the less expensive the stone is. Of the many types of pathways that can be built in a garden, flagstone falls in the upper-middle cost range. We will discuss cost compared to other pathways in later blogs.

Flagstone Paths: Characteristics

Flagstone is a traditional favorite for stone pathways. It comes in various colors and stone types, looks great in all kind of settings, and is available in a wide price range. And the best thing is, anyone with some free time and determination can install flagstone paths that are as long lasting and attractive as those installed by landscape professionals. Now, we will be discussing a number of areas regarding flagstone pathways, from characteristics, to its design and use, and also the cost. There is a lot of ground to cover, so let's get started with Characteristics.

Material Characteristics

Flagstone is sold under two classifications:

• Flagstone - large, irregularly shaped sheets of quarried stone
• Flagstone Steppers - smaller pieces of the same material

Flagstone is generally 18 to 40 inches in diameter. Larger sizes are heavy; much more weight than one person should lift (unless you are a bodybuilder). Flagstone is best used for pathways that are 3 to 4 feet wide or wider. Flagstone steppers are usually 12 to 20 inches in diameter. They are called steppers because they are of the size typically used in stepping-stone paths. One adult person can work comfortably with steppers. Steppers are best used for narrow pathways, ones 16 to 30 inches wide.

Thickness of flagstone and steppers varies between a 1/2 inch to 4 inches. Stone 1/2 inch thick should be used only where it will be set in mortar. Flagstone and steppers 1 1/2 to 3 inches thick are considered standard sizes, and work well for both mortared and dry-laid paths.

Types of flagstone and steppers include limestone, sandstone, slate, quartzite, and granite. This gives you a wide range of prices, textures, and colors to work with. Depending on how the stone was quarried, surface texture of flagstone and steppers will vary from almost counter-top smooth to rocky mountain rough textures with surface variations around a 1/2 inch.

Stone Pathways: Introduction (Part II)

Secondary pathways lead out into the garden, either branching off from main pathways (like streets), or existing on their own. These paths can be narrower, with widths as little as 16 inches. Why? Because a narrow path slows walking to let visitors enjoy the view of your garden.

When choosing pathway styles and materials, consider the materials on your home's exterior. Homes finished in brick, stone, stucco, wood, aluminum, or vinyl siding all have color. The color of the stone used when building a main pathway can match, complement, or contrast with the color of the home.

The architectural style of the home is another important consideration. Sleek, mortared pathways of cut slate or bluestone will probably look weird leading to an older, cottage-style home. Nor will meandering paths of fieldstone of cobblestone match the mood created by a modern-style home.

If you need some good starting points for deciding on what kind of pathways will look good, here are a few quick tips:

• Flagstone has been a favorite material for paths. Plants grow between the stones, which help give it a rustic look.
• Space stones along a stepping-stone path to allow a slow walking pace for guests.
• Gravel paths are great for strolling through gardens. They are easy to install and to move as the garden changes. Consider this if you are a beginner.

Now that you have been introduced and given a better explanation of how pathways work, and what they do for your home and garden, we'll get even more detailed with each specific type of pathway.

Stone Pathways: Introduction (Part I)

Pathways will lead us somewhere. That is their sole purpose. When you are walking in the woods, you usually see a trail. When you walk outside, you have streets intertwining with one another, or even leading to a dead end with a trail into the woods. When you ski down a hill, you might see flags to show you where to go, because if you go elsewhere you might get hurt. These are all pathways, because they guide you.

Pathways not only guide you from place to place, but they guide your eyes as well. When designing pathways, consider both the practical and aesthetic possibilities within your yard and garden. Depending on your taste, you might go for one or the other specifically.

Make sure to start your design by laying out the main pathways. These paths are the routes leading to and from the house. Also ask yourself this question:

"Where do I travel most in my yard?"

If you travel to your shed (if you have one), that might be an ideal place to have a pathway. But, the main pathways for most home owners lead from the street or sidewalk to the front door and also from the garage or driveway apron to the back or side door. If you want to see a good example, it's right outside your front door (literally). These pathways need to be the widest and easiest to walk on. Why? Because this is what you'll be walking on when you come home from grocery shopping or clothes shopping.

A 4-foot-wide pathway allows two people to walk side-by-side very easily. Guests parking on the street or in the driveway and walking to the house will be appreciative of this. Pathways with smooth surfaces and few irregularities are best for guest entryways, but also can help if you are on a date or taking a walk with your spouse.

Stone Landscaping: Stone Uses (Part II)

Hello, today we are going to finish up "Stone Uses". There are a few more different uses for stone in a garden. If you are into having nature at your door, or having an ancient-like appearance in your garden, read on.

Fountains/Water Bowls

A manufactured stone fountain or a custom-built fountain of your own style can add an important element to your garden-the sound of water splashing. It gives that feeling of true nature. Just think of stone fountains as audible sculptures; any garden can be brought to new life by their presense.

Ruins

Even if you don't have a centuries-old stately manor or a castle, you can still have a stone ruin in your garden. Stone structures built to look like the remains of a stone wall or structure from centuries before, become a delightful surprise when visitors (friends/family) discover them in a garden.

Water Features

Pools, ponds, streams, and waterfalls bring a soothing sight and sound of water to a garden. It's a great visual as well, putting the mind at ease as you enjoy the beauty of nature (even though it's man-made nature). Water features give gardeners unlimited freedom to create magical, one-of-a-kind landscapes.

Now that you have an idea of what you can do with stone, our next blog will start getting into the nitty-gritty of stone landscaping. We'll be diving into stone pathways for the rest of this month. I know I've mentioned many other ways to use stone, but with so much information it's hard to cover everything at once.

Stone Landscaping: Stones Uses (Part I)

Besides stone's use in pathways, walls, steps and patios, stone can be used for many other things in a garden. These are much smaller projects, but still can add new life and value to your garden. It'll also help people notice your plants better, because the stone will accent the plant.

Rock Gardens

The rock gardens of today take many more forms than those of Victorian times. Early rock gardens were usually on sunny slopes and made to resemble windswept, natural outcroppings. Only true alpine plants were used. Today, rock gardens can be in any part of the garden, and can include any plants you desire.

Outcroppings and Accents

Outcroppings of boulders can carry the rugged, permanent presence of stone throughout the landscape. Make sure to arrange boulders carefully, so they appear to have been in place long before the house was built. This is one of the most appealing displays to the eye, and the most natural-looking.

Planter Boxes

If you want a good stone landscaping idea, I got two words: planter boxes. You might want to consider building a long, narrow stone planter box along the edge of a patio (the one pictured above is built on a street corner, not really ideal for your needs). Or, you can have two matching boxes flank the entrance to the driveway or the sidewalk leading to the front door. Usually constructed of cut wallstone, planter boxes can be any shape or size.

Next blog will finish up stone uses. After stone uses, we start getting into the specifics of each of the possibilities we have covered. If you want to know what possibility will be covered, check back here tomorrow and I'll tell you.

Stone Landscaping: What are the Possibilities? (Part II)

Are there other possibilities for stone landscaping? Yes, since I only covered three, I will conclude the possibilities today. There are three more possibilities to arrange stone. There are more uses for stone, but we'll cover them next time. For now, let's discover the possibilities.

Patios and Outdoor Living Spaces

Your yard can become an extension to your own home when you develop outdoor "rooms" that define and showcase your family's way of life. Stone is great for creating a place for dinner when you have family and friends over. It's also great as an entertainment area, or a place to sit back and relax.

Container Spaces

Stone is great for developing surfaces where you can put containers filled with plants. A pot of annuals set on a small gravel or flagstone floor with the garden bed can become a bright and colorful focal point. Stone pillars of different heights, topped with plant in containers, also provide great displays of a garden.

Garden Edging

Any kind of stone can be used to edge garden beds (stone, brick, cement), implementing an extra dimension of color and texture. A garden bed edged with one course of fieldstone brings out a casual, country feel to its property. A raised bed edged with cut wallstone creates a more formal, urban look.

That brings this part of stone landscaping to an end. This doesn't end our stone landscaping guides and tips though. For this entire month, we will be covering stone landscaping's potential for gardening and ponds. This is a great things for gardeners and pond keepers. We will dive into many topics with this category, so check back daily for more information on stone landscaping.

Stone Landscaping: What are the Possibilities? (Part I)

Choices, choices, and more choices. When it comes to choosing how to use something, you might not think of every creative way to use something. When it comes to stone landscaping, there are a lot of ways to use stone. With some planning and hard work, you will have a scenary that will catch anyone's eye. And even with every category of stone landscaping, there is even more variety. The only limitation is what your mind can think up.

Stone Pathways

Stone pathways can be constructed in many ways, each with a different look and style reflecting the artistry of the person who put it together. Pathways serve the purpose of providing a route through the garden to any visitors. The look, size, and style of a stone pathway is an important landscape accent, and can be considered a part of the garden itself.

Stone Walls

Not many features in a home garden can not match the charm and ageless appeal of a stone wall (look at the great wall of china, and historical landmarks all over the world). There is something about stone walls that appeal to us: their strength and permanence (it's stone and cement, only a bulldozer or a giant can knock those down). And guess what? Building a stone wall is not difficult at all (look to future blogs for information on building them).

Stone Steps & Staircases

Stone steps & staircases combine a simple purpose with a strong visual presence to add eye-catching beauty to your home garden/landscape (however you prefer to call it). Two or three single steps along a gradually rising pathway bring a visitor's eyes downward. If you have plants that you would like a visitor to notice, put them right along the sides of the steps (see picture above). A more formal, cut-stone staircase leading to a home's front door is something people normally do. If you design it well, people might feel like they are getting a red carpet treatment or entering a fancy home (as long as you keep the house clean!). Simple design ideas can bring beauty to any home. This is just one way.

Next time, we will finish up with the possibilities of stone. Then, we will dive into stone uses.

"But, wait! Aren't these possibilities stone uses?"

Yes, they are, in fact, ways to use stone. But, you can get more specific with ways to use stone. These are big projects to build around a garden. There are other ways to use stones. How so? Tune back here this week and I'll tell you.

Stone Landscaping: What is it?

When you are in the wilderness, you might see a real pond, river, or lake. These weren't built by man, nature created these designs. Nature has ways of telling us the great ideas and things we can do with our own garden. Do you see the picture? It shows stones and a waterfall going into nature's pond. Well, who says you can't have that on your lawn. If you have a lawn, then it might be very possible to have a similar (but more modern) look as this picture shows. Or, possibly something better.

No material used in the creation of landscapes can equally match up to the versatility, impact, and power of stone. Putting stones into your garden design opens a door to infinite design possibilities. That is because no two stones walls, pathways, or patios can look exactly the same. Why? Well, no two stones or slabs look the same. If you do happen to have two or more stone walls that look the same, you would probably be a good candidate for the Guinness Book of World Records.

Large, jagged stone outcroppings may gather more interest than the trees or plants they accent, while a gravel pathway may go unnoticed by the visitors moving along it. When stone is cut, chiseled, stacked, or fitted into a landscape design, it showcases how skill and artistry can blend together to create personal, artful masterpieces (with a nature-like quality of course) to your landscape/garden.

If you see a stone and think, "They are just rocks, how can I use them in a garden?", you'll soon discover that those "rocks" can make objects and arrangements that will take your landscape/garden to a new level of beauty and elegance.

So, what are the possibilities? How can they be arranged, and to look like what? If you think they were good for "stonehedges" or "cavemen", then in our next blog we will open your eyes to real possibilities. Tune in next time for more information and ideas for your garden, involving stones.

Koi Food: Fads/Trends & How Winter makes Fish Slim (Part 4)

This last blog of this multi-blog series discusses two last topics with koi food. We will be discussing food fads & trends, and also how winter can help your fish.
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Fads/Trends

There have been fads for koi food, some which have been proven, and others that provided little nutritional value for fish. Let's take a look at a few popular ones.

One fad to come along was vitamin C. It was praised by food manufacturers, and was put into every type of fish food. It eventually lost its appeal after being on the market for a while, but made a comeback when stabilized vitamin C was introduced.

Later on, color additives started to become popular. They are still used today, but have decreased in popularity and usage after researchers found that too many additives caused undesirable pinks and whites in koi.

Other fads that came around were high protein (read past posts about how much protein a koi really needs), and additives to boost the fish's immune system. Supplements also hit the market such as bugs (protein), shellfish (skin health), and garlic (encourages appetite).

One of the fads going on today (or possibly yesterday), is saki (for digestion). Saki can be found in Hikari-saki food.

Winter Weight Loss For Fish

It's been observed that fish down south are more obese than fish up north, but why? Well, because fish have a chance to burn up the fat they gain during the fall. But, southern states have shorter winters than the north, so the fish down south don't burn off as much fat.

A lot of veteran pond owners warn not to overfeed fish. But, this is in the hands of the owner of the fish. Just remember, fish don't need much food because they expend very little energy to sustain life.
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Well, this concludes our blog on "koi food". Our next blog will start diving into gardening. We don't call ourselves "Ornamental Pond & Garden Experts" for nothing. Tune in tomorrow for more information on your pond and gardening needs.

Koi Food: Filter & Weather Influence on Feeding (Part 3)

Our next topic in this multi-blog series is how the filter and the weather can influence how you feed your fish. Let's start with your filtration system (if you don't have one in your pond, now is the time to invest in one). After that, we show you how to feed according to the current weather.
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All pond owners (with fish of course) know that the type of filter, and the number of fish in any pond, determines how much you should feed each day. The filter's performance and resulting water quality can show if you are feeding too much. Make sure to watch your water, because that indicates if you feed too much or if there is too much waste.

Some fish foods put a higher organic load on filtration systems (no matter how good or bad the filter is), which include extremely high protein foods. A safe protein amount to stick to in fish food is 36 percent, since it gives less load on the filter and a good amount of protein for fish. You can go higher, but fish can only digest protein up to a certain point.

Fish digest protein and release ammonia, which is eaten by pond bacteria and converted into nitrites. Filters will convert nitrites into nitrates (a less harmful form of nitrite). But, if too much ammonia is released, and the filtration system is overloaded with work, your koi or other pond fish will become ill.

What you can do is add a better filtration system or upgrade your current one (if possible), or adjust the food amount and type of food you give to your fish.

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Water temperature can provide a better feeding guide than the actual seasons for beginning pond owners. Some pond owners change the feeding procedures for every five degrees of temperature. It is also good not to feed koi fish when the water is constantly 50 degrees Fahrenheit or colder.

Here is a chart you can follow, as an example for feeding procedures. But, do some research and experiment to see what results work best for you.

50 degrees or below: Don't feed
50 to 55 degrees: Wheat Germ only, no Food Pellets
55 to 60 degrees: Wheat Germ and Food Pellets
60 to 70 degrees: feed three times a day
70 to 75 degrees: feed four times a day
Over 75 degrees: five to six times a day, and supplements (watermelon, oranges, grapefruit, freeze-dried krill, etc)

Food shouldn't be given at low temperatures, some pond owners will even cut off food supply at 55 degrees or below. This is because a fish is a cold-blooded creature, and their body moves with the water, and it can slow or speed up their circulation (depending on the temperature). The bacteria in fish slows down, and if they are fed in colder climates, food will not digest fast enough and could causes diseases (such as ulcers).

Wheat germ is good to feed in these colder temperatures because it digest easier (it's plant protein). But, koi don't usually need food in winter, since they don't need to maintain a body temperature. So, you can get away with not feeding anything to fish in low temperatures.
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Our next blog is going to finish up this series with information on koi food fads and trends, and speak about how the winter can help keep koi trim. After this series, we are going to take a break from ponds and help you out with gardening. Then, we will look to answer some questions concerning goldfish. Feel free to drop off comments with any questions, and we'll consider using your questions in future blogs.