Last week we were busy doing paths/storage /sitting areas on our two allotments. We were fortunate that some paths were already in place when we took both plots on and also there was a variety of stuff left by previous tenants, paving stones, bricks, rubble, wood, all useful materials. The paths which were already in place determined the layout of the plots. The other paths and seating areas have been roughly laid out by us but no surface material in place. This meant that weeds were constantly appearing and the areas became muddy and slippy in wet weather.
We decided that now we have got the growing areas up and running we could spend some time sorting out these other areas. We ordered 5 tons of crushed stone from a local tippers. It cost £30 which we thought was very reasonable. The areas we were planning to cover were the path up to the polytunnel and a seating area on plot 10b and a seating area on plot 8. (all hard working gardeners need somewhere to sit and rest with a brew!). We used some of the wood and bricks to define the edges of paths then covered the ground with membrane or old compost bags before putting the gravel on top
We were really pleased at how far 5 tons of stones went. After covering these areas, we still had loads of gravel left. Richard came up with a plan to gravel the water butt area on plot8 as it gets very muddy and slippy in wet weather, so that got done too.
That was phase 1 of our path making plans. There is still more to be done, but both plots are looking better already. As well as making the place look much tidier and easier to walk on, the gravel should help to suppress the weeds. I'm looking forward now to the next stage in the developments. In the meantime I'm enjoying taking well earned lunches and cups of tea on our gravelled sitting areas.
