Green garden paths
Landscape designer Tina Nyce from Washingtonoffers seven tips for creating a DIY garden path that combines a green carpet of plants and stone slabs. A simple idea for decorating a garden or a summer cottage yard. 1. Plan the path. First of all, think about how your family, loved ones or guests will react to such a path in the garden. Perhaps they will hesitate to step on parts of the path made of plants, afraid of crushing or spoiling the appearance. If you have the opportunity, think of a completely stone "spare" path to the side of the main one.
2. Caring for plants on the path.The greenery between the flagstones of the garden path suppresses weeds and prevents erosion. But they will need to be trimmed regularly, otherwise the plants will swallow up the entire yard, as in the photo below.
3. Start small.If possible, grow plants between the slabs from seeds. If you want to plant already sprouted grass, use the youngest seedlings. Of course, spring is the best time for planting.
4. Plant hardy plants.If you step on a flexible plant a couple of times, it will break, get crushed and the path will lose its neat appearance. Therefore, choose strong, durable and "springy" types of grass that can withstand multiple human steps. Moss and lawn grass are a good solution.
5. Prepare the soil.Before planting plants between the path slabs, loosen the soil well. It is best to use soil with sand - the water will be well absorbed and the path will not be muddy even in case of prolonged rains. The minimum necessary living space for plants between the slabs is 5 cm.
6. Shape of tiles. Выберите правильную форму каменных плит для садовой дорожки. Например, правильные геометрические фигуры больше подойдут для современного стиля дома и двора, а формы более естественные и природные — для дачи и домика в коттеджном стиле. 
7. Soft Steps. Use creeping and climbing plants to decorate your garden steps in a lively way. Don't forget to trim them regularly, otherwise you may get your feet tangled in the plants and fall.
