Monday, August 8, 2011

Garden Elements - Decomposed Granite (DG) Pathways

       In my lecture series, “Patios, Pathways and Plants”, I talk about the different materials available for homeowners to use for creating pathways around the garden.  Concrete, pavers and flagstone are among my favorites and examples of each can be found in this blog.  Decomposed granite or DG as it is commonly referred to, is a less expensive option that comes in a variety of colors.  DG pathways typically cost $4-$6 per square foot for a contractor to install.  But you can do it yourself for half of that price.
         One of the advantages of a DG pathway is that water can drain through the pathway, which helps with runoff issues.  Another reason I love to use DG pathways is that the material lends itself to what I like to call a “California Casual” garden.  The soft crunch of the path under your feet, surrounded by hummingbird and butterfly plants can create a very relaxing space, especially if you add in a shade tree with a spot for a comfy chair. 
        In the next article I will go into the steps on how to build a DG pathway.  KRC Rock has a terrific webpage that shows some of these colors along with a video showing how to install DG.

No comments:

Post a Comment