I am in the process of redoing all my back yard paths. For many years they have been covered with heavy landscaping fabric, then mulched with cedar or other wood mulch. Over the years the mulch had decayed and is now compost that is very good for growing weeds. Also some dutchman's pipe vines have grown under the landscape fabric. I am pulling up the landscape fabric, removing the vines and dumping the compost on top of the paths. I have some brick colored rectangular paving stones that I plan on using to make a staggered walking path over this soil. My idea is to use Semps and sedums or other succulents to plant the areas of the path not covered with the pavers.

My question is would it be better to amend the soil with sand or with a 50/50 sand and gravel mix? I can get both delivered by the ton which is about 22 cubic feet. Or do you have suggestions for other things to amend the soil with? My regular soil is a loam. Does this sound like a workable plan? Any ideas?

I also have two raised beds 4'X 12' that I plan to use for mainly semps. Please T-mail me is any of you have named semps you would be willing to sale. I have ordered 25 unrooted succulents from eBay that include some semps and also 100 unrooted sedum cuttings and plan to get these rooted by this fall to use in the area, but otherwise only have a couple un-named semps growing in a couple strawberry pots.

I would also be willing to trade some named daylilies or other types of lilies or Iris for the semps if you would prefer that to selling them. Can you tell I have been hit hard by the semp crazies. I am in zone 5, so need hardy ones.

Thanks for any help you can give me with the path. I am guessing it will be about 125' of pathway, so am talking about a big job.

Susan this project sounds really cool!! I would be concerned about trampling on the plants - how do you intend to keep them from getting smooshed? As I was reading your post I thought maybe you just mean on the sides, with step able plants in between the pavers??
Curious...also your semp bed sounds great!! Lucky I got bit by this semp bug last year, mostly in the fall, and have gotten many many named types, but they're still young'uns so not ready to give "chicks" away yet sorry! Best to you though!

Hi Susan, and welcome to semp addiction! You're in good company here!

Sounds like a couple of pretty big projects, but should be beautiful when you're done. As far as amending the soil, if you use sand it needs to be a larger grit so it doesn't compact. The sand/gravel sounds like a good mix. You don't want the gravel too large either. Any idea what size it is? Pea gravel works great. Is the path area planting going to be next to the path, or between the pavers where it will be stepped on?

Be sure to take progress pictures and good luck!

Thanks for the welcome. When I get home from work, I will take a photo of how I plan to arrange the pavers. Right now I'm going crazy just trying to work full time and deadhead, water and weed all the daylilies and other plants I have growing, so not sure why I got this big urge for semps. Guess I'm just addicted to all types of plants.

I can relate to being addicted to all plants! But it doesn't slow us down now, does it?

Susan!

You will have plenty of support here in your addiction, I can tell you!!

Your project sounds great and I look forward to seeing your progress!

I'll be following this thread since I'll be doing something similar with large pieces of flagstone.

I don't plan on using semps in my paths, although I'm consider jovi rollers. Next spring I'll be giving away semps for the cost of postage.

Excited to see pictures of this project. I too am new to semps and all my plants are small colonies, then some of them are blooming out.

Hi Susan. Can't wait to see the photos so we all have a better picture of what it is you are planning.
Oh, and you can't stop at just one semp. Once you have one you will find others that you just have to have.