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: 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.