Down The Garden Path

Paths are a great addition to any garden. Not only do they add an element of charm and interest, they also provide a scenic way to make a transition from one part of the garden to another. Beautifully landscaped pathways encourage visitors to explore further. Contributor Georgia Raimondi of The Saturday Early Show explains.

Stepping stone cement mix is a combination of Portland cement and silica sand, and 7 or 8 pounds of this stuff makes one 12-inch stepping stone, costing about $6.

Choose a work surface where your stone can remain undisturbed for about 24 hours. Keeping dust to a minimum (and possibly wearing a small dust mask), carefully empty half the bag into a 5-quart plastic bucket and add approximately 1 cup of water and mix thoroughly with a paddle; add the remaining cement and approximately another 1 cup of water.

Mix until there are no lumps.

You may have to gradually add some additional water until the mix is the consistency of a thick brownie batter. (Stirring takes a few minutes so till the mixture is right consistency.)

Pour the cement mixture into a stepping stone plastic mold (about $3.50). These molds come in a variety of shapes: standard rounds and squares, octagonal, butterfly or flower petal shapes. (You may even use a 12-inch cake pan, but spray the pan first with a cooking oil spray.)

Grasp corners of mold and jiggle the mold slightly back and forth until the stone's surface is level. Then smooth the top, using a spatula or mixing paddle.

Embed decorative objects into the mixture right away. Using a craft stick, place decorative objects in halfway so they'll stay. For example, use mosaic glass, tile chips, sea glass, glow-in-the-dark moonstones, stones with expressions written on them; broken bits of china or pottery, shells (fun, fun, fun!). Break any glass items wrapped in an old towel or bed pillow with a mallet to avoid flying glass shards.

You can work on the stone for up to an hour.

Place stone in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Wait two days before removing stone from mold. Once the stone is firm, covering it with a damp cloth for 2 to 3 days will increase its final strength. Wait two weeks for stone to cure before putting any pressure on it.

Complete stepping stone kits are also available for about $20.

To place a stepping stones on path, dig a shallow level hole. Place stone and back-fill till stone is set securely.

Placing ground covers between the stepping stones will soften the edges of the stones. These tiny plants also have the benefit of discouraging weeds. Some have an added bonus of producing colorful flowers or releasing a fragrance.

Use a combination of low-growing perennials or herbs such as wooly or creeping thyme (resilient - will just pop back up after you walk on it); alyssum; portulaca; mint; ajuga; sweet woodruff; lamium; sedums, or vinca.

Trending on thyme and chamomile will have the added benefit of releasing a delightful fragrane.

Use higher growing plants to border the pathway. For a shady path border, try hostas, astilbe, ferns, or coleus. For a sunny path border, use lavender, cosmos, phlox, or lemon grass.

Remember: It's very important not to wash your buckets, pans, sticks, or molds in your sink. The cement will harden and clog your pipes.

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