paths

What type of path materials do you use, what do you like best?

My favorite is a thick layer of cardboard, four or more, topped by a few inches of wood chips. The nicest is mowed clover but that is too much work to mow to win the top spot.

When we redid the side of our barn that was damaged in Superstorm Sandy we had a bunch of old cedar siding boards that make decent paths, but they are straight and my paths are not always, and maintenance is more work because they are not wide and the surrounding plants grow through and around.

I use dried field cuttings. Essentially it's rough dirty hay that I let the chickens pick though and then I transfer it to the areas I need paths. It breaks down pretty quick so I lay it on thick (6 inches or more) about twice a summer. It kills the weeds and makes a comfy pad for bare feet. In the garden I'll rake it up onto the beds during the fall after the chickens go through there. It makes good mulch and helps keep frost at bay a few extra degrees. Near the house and driveway it's great because it doesn't jam the snow blower like stone or wood chips.