A utilitarian path through the vegetable garden.
Paths are as important as the gardens they traverse. They set the mood and change how we walk through different places.
There are utilitarian paths. Straight and low-maintenance, these paths are essential in the production areas of the garden.
An untamed path meanders through tall grass.
Wild and untamed paths don’t go directly to their destinations. They meander. They may be somewhat overgrown. They invite the walker to slow down and experience the world around them.
A formal path through the herb garden.
Formal paths invite strolling. They are straight and potentially utilitarian, but they’re more inclined toward the aesthetic. They may lead to nothing more than a view or a bench.
Some paths aren’t much more than suggestions of a path. A few inviting steps that say, “come this way.”
Bridge over troubled water.
Other paths are clear, built structures that provide a way where none other exists.
Just try walking this path without hopping.
And some are pure whimsy, encouraging locomotion other than walking (This path, between the house and my office, makes it incredibly difficult to carry a cup of coffee without spilling).
I enjoy the wide variety of paths on our property. There’s a path for every mood and need.
Robinne Weiss 