On 2 Sep 2006 02:13:51 -0700, "a.c."
<aquachimp@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
>Kenneth wrote:
>> Howdy,
>>
>> We have a well traveled path (about 400') between our New
>> Hamp****re home, and our office barn.
>>
>> The path was put in when we built our home five years ago,
>> and at that time, was surfaced with a mixture that was
>> primarily vegetable based (bark mulch etc.)
>>
>> It looked fine, felt good under foot, stayed flat (so that I
>> could run my 6' tractor-driven snow thrower over it in the
>> winter) and had only two problems:
>>
>> It "wore out" rather quickly: After about 18 months it
>> looked thin in many places, and in another year, was all but
>> gone.
>>
>> Also, in shady areas it became mossy.
>>
>> Now, we are completing some landscaping in another area, and
>> sought the advice of our landscaper about a new surface for
>> the path.
>>
>> He suggested what he called "river stone" and showed us a
>> sample that we liked. The material is pleasantly colored, is
>> about 1/2" in diameter, but seemed so smooth as to cause me
>> come concern.
>>
>> Our landscaper assured us that it would compact well to
>> produce a smooth and stable surface.
>>
>> To my surprise, he was absolutely correct...
>>
>> Until it got wet.
>>
>> When wet, it is rather like walking on a bed of marbles.
>>
>> And so, (with apology for the long introduction) we need
>> some suggestions:
>>
>> We want a "woodsy" or "rustic" surface. We want low
>> maintenance for the path. And we must be able to run that
>> snowthrower over it.
>>
>> What materials might you suggest?
>>
>> Very sincere thanks,
>> --
>> Kenneth
>>
>> If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
>
>Since you're keen on the bark, was the original a fine bark... or the
>chunkier variety. The bigger the better for what you want. The finer
>types can disappear all too easily.
>Also, where might it have disappeared to. Broken down to dust? Or,
>pressed into the ground? If the latter, then roll out an anti-weed
>underlay. (material to stop weeds coming through... I don't know what
>it might be called in your area.)
Hello again,
Thanks for your thoughts...
I neglected to say that the path already has the anti-weed
fabric under it.
The original material seemed to "go to dust" after a year or
so, and that is how it "disappeared."
Recently, someone suggested a form of very fine crushed rock
that is available locally. We were told that it compacted
very well, but was not at all "dusty."
Are you familiar with that sort of material?
Thanks again,
--
Kenneth
If you email... Please remove the "SPAMLESS."
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