Garden

Better a Stone Stepping Stone

Sunil121.8K views

We have a couple of stepping stone sets in the garden, one to get to the shed, one to get to the bird feeder and the other forms part of the woodland walk leading to the compost heap. They’re not all the same, we have concrete, stone and wooden stepping-stones.

In my time-tested opinion, stone or concrete stepping-stones are far superior to their wooden counter-parts and here’s why:

I’m sure this one is barely 3 years old and has a 5 or 10 year warranty with it (if only I could find the receipt). Another season of frost-shattering and this particular tree-round will be only good for chip wood.

Although wooden tree rounds are more suited to the garden, the slippery surface (if not cleaned) and short life-span makes it a high-maintenance and expensive option. Perhaps I was supposed to treat it before setting it down on the ground..? I’m clueless when it comes to DIY so it wouldn’t entirely surprise me.

The other wooden stepping-stones aren’t far behind. When the time comes to replace them, I could be adventurous and use large feet, rope coils or large cast pennies – but I probably wont be allowed to. Instead, it’s probably going to be concrete made-to-look-like-a tree round.

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12 comments

The Other Half 13/04/2013 - 8:58 pm
No! You won't be allowed to have the tacky penny concrete steps!
Sunil 17/04/2013 - 5:18 pm
No, I didn't think I would be allowed to, dear.
susan maclean 13/04/2013 - 11:07 pm
How about the smallest size square paving stones here and there? I have just laid out a new border on the other side of the garden to the yellow and white border (pics on my blog shortly!) but this border is double the depth, and I don't want to do much walking on the soil either, so as I have to have a path along the back to access the hedge for cutting, I have inset two paving stones at two different access sites, so that I can get to the border from the back. When full and blooming (give me a couple of summers) I hope you won't see the pavers, but they will be handy - a place to put a pot of something tall for a show later. Moving along here, and got great further plans now! Had to live with this garden for some years before I suddenly knew what I wanted, but so pleased that now it's shaping up. My own grass is covered with primroses - self seeded, but pale and beautiful - they pop up everywhere, and you can just dig them out if they get too annoying. Actually friends dig them up all the time as we have so many - so, if you're passing........ :)
Sunil 17/04/2013 - 5:29 pm
Hi Mrs Mac, we do have square slabs but they wont suit where the current wooden tree rounds are, they are a good idea for deep borders as it saves compacting the soil, stepping on plants and getting mud all over your shoes. A lawn full of primroses must look lovely, I'll have to try that when the current ones in the borders go to seed.
gardeninacity 14/04/2013 - 2:40 am
I completely agree. Stone is nicest, after than I prefer a brick path.
Sunil 17/04/2013 - 5:20 pm
Hi Jason, it sounds like stone is the general consensus. Still leaves me with lots of options and I can pressure wash it to clean it.
Casa Mariposa 17/04/2013 - 3:56 am
I have stone or fake-stone concrete stepping stones that I love because of how attractive and durable they are. I'd break up the wood into bits and let it rot in the garden. What a fabulous excuse to go shopping for new steps!
Sunil 17/04/2013 - 5:25 pm
We do have one concrete-cast tree round and they are durable. I’ll have to replace these with more of those but they are pricey from the Garden Centre, however, there should be plenty of places where I can get them cheaper. Online may not be an option given how heavy these things are as the postage might cost a fair bit.
susan maclean 17/04/2013 - 11:18 pm
Sunil - d'you have "freeswap" or whatever the thing is where people advertise things they don't want? or is there a Gumtree setup in your area? Worth looking.....
Sunil 19/04/2013 - 8:05 pm
Hi Mrs Mac, there's probably something like that around here, though we're in the Fens, the population is a bit lacking so there's not likely to be much. You're right that it's worth a look at least, even if just to get an idea.
Vic 06/06/2013 - 8:33 pm
I'll ask the parents to find one that is stray in the lakes
Sunil 11/06/2013 - 9:17 pm
Hi Vic, thanks - that'll be very useful as this one has almost disintegrated now!
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