Garden path/layout

[Laurasanford111]

Hi all

Attached a couple pics of my garden, I am no garden designer and struggling to work things out, we have raised beds in as I want to get veg and flowers planted out. Around those beds will be pea gravel so you can navigate around the beds, I want to keep as much of the garden grass as possible our previous home had no grass so making most of it, we were thinking of a path, peas gravel with edging leading up to end of garden but worry about our toddlers tripping over it, or gravel going into grass even with edging, so would stepping stones work? It's a very long narrow garden I was going to avoid having a path just straight one end to other I wanted it to wind round a little for interest not sure I can do that same effect with stepping as stones. Any ideas? Im after a cottage garden style look that's the goal haha, My other thought is that as the garden changes if we have stepping stones they're easier to remove etc than a whole path? Hmm any advice would be great!

Attached pics

Bump

I have raised beds and I would not have gravel around them. We have slabs and they themselves are a PITA to keep swept clear with all the compost/soil that comes out of the beds when you are planting/harvesting etc.

Gravel will also end up in your lawn without a barrier.

If you haven't already, reinforce the corners of your raised beds as the wood will swell / nails will rust over time.

Why do you think you need a path?

Would you like somewhere to sit and eat? If so, in the morning, lunchtime or evening sun?

Flower borders will soften the straight edges of your lawn.

Can you give us the dimensions of your garden and in which direction it faces.

Do you have a back gate you use / need access to?

Is this a new build or an established garden?

Thank you @JamMakingWannaBe
The path because if it's just grass and gets trodden on when walking up garden it will ruin it - that's a valid point about the gravel getting muck in from beds, what would you suggest would be best idea to have round it, wood chip, bark etc? We have a bistro table by the back door, we want a children play set somewhere to, swing slide etc not sure if to put that other side of beds or further up the garden.
When we bought the place we knew the garden would be a job but now I feel very overwhelmed haha

Bit late to say this but I'd divide the space into two sway area rather than two long thin strips

I don't recommend gravel with toddlers. Ours put in in their mouths , then when a bit older put it in buckets and spread it around the lawn. Meant you had to watch them like a hawk in the garden (especially in the gravel-sucking age)

Two square areas I mean!

It's south facing and it's about 100ft long, our back gate access is next to house not near the main garden bit if that makes sense

Thank you, I'm struggling to visualize in my head what you mean haha, yes that's true and the cat will probably think oh that's a nice new toilet for me haha

This is the first section of garden sorry didn't mention that or show before

Hav a look at long garden designs on Pinterest.
I think stepping stones would be better than gravel.

That's a lot nicer than your first images were suggesting! You have some nice structure and plants there.

Just so we are clear, that image is what you see from your back door, and you have a dining area already in this location.

The veg beds are behind the shed on the left.

You are happy to mow lawn and want cottage garden planting.

@JamMakingWannaBe hello, yes first bit of garden has well established plants, the old lady that lived here first took care of it, then previous owners were not green fingered. We like how this bit is separate as you step out, yes seating area is at this bit. Yea beds are behind shed, mowing lawn is fine we want to keep as much grass as possible having lived without grass for so long in our old garden, yes cottage garden style, I've already got some bits in greenhouse growing and going to order some perennials soon, salvia, gaura etc :)

Couple more points of clarification:

You are happy with the area next to the house, it's just the area in the first images you shared you are looking for advice on.

Where is your water butt?
Where is your compost bin?
Do we need to consider wheelie bin storage?
Can your greenhouse be moved?

@JamMakingWannaBe

Yeah just those other ones in pic not the most recent pic with all the trees etc we're happy with that part of garden, the water thing is next to house and compost, our other bins we have storage next to front door cardboard etc, ideally we don't want to move the greenhouse if possible

I would keep the path you have. There is no need for it to extend to the end of your garden. Perhaps add a few stepping stones from the veg beds to your shed if you think you need them. It's also quite visual from your 3rd image - leading you up the garden.

You need some height in there - either a tree or a pergola. A crab apple or a cherry would be nice. Eating apple, plum or pear too.

Use borders to break up the expanse of lawn. As per the image, these can have obilisks to add height/ grow climbers up or an evergreen pyramid.

Obviously not to scale but just an idea of what you could do. Use trellis on your fences (assuming you own them) to grow roses, clematis, passion flower, jasmine.

You could have a lavender/rosemary/hebe hedge around your borders.

As pp, have a look online for inspiration.

@JamMakingWannaBe hello, this is really helpful thank you for taking the time to help I appreciate it!