A lawn should make an impression with its vastness and uniform greenery. If it occupies a very small area, its importance for the arrangement of the garden becomes imperceptible. A small garden can do without turf, so it is worth looking for alternative solutions. The lawn can be replaced with an easy-to-maintain surface made of slabs or cubes. If we choose its color, bearing in mind the plants in flower beds, we can obtain interesting color contrasts. A classic combination with a Mediterranean charm is the combination of light brown sandstone tiles with blue-violet flowers of lavender or sage. Square concrete slabs in various colors have a modern look.In a small garden, it is very effective to combine paved or gravel surfaces with single plants or larger beds in mosaic patterns.
Gravel full of benefits Gravel surfaces look natural and perfectly replace your lawn. Instead of the right gravel, it is worth using sharp grit, which is easier to walk on. The substrate under the paving should first be compacted and covered with a fleece. This is a good way to prevent pebbles from sinking into the ground and stop weeds from growing. The layer of gravel or grit should be 3-5 cm thick. The surface should be secured with an edge, so that its sides do not overgrow with weeds and the gravel grains do not mix with the ground. Strips of not very thick galvanized steel sheets are perfect for this purpose. Stone curbs are also good. The gravel surface also requires maintenance. From time to time, weeds should be pulled up from seeds in less trampled areas. Sometimes the resulting inequalities should also be smoothed out.
Fashionable and reliable woodWooden platforms require more work and costs. The base of the platform are horizontal, parallel beams, anchored in concrete foundations. The best choice for the floor is boards made of weather-resistant wood, such as Douglas fir or larch. Shallow grooves should be carved in the surface to reduce the risk of skidding on rainy days. In a fully sunny place, the wooden platform dries very quickly after rainfall. Therefore, algae or lichen colonies rarely appear on the boards.
