Gardening Handymen/women????

[Melman]

Has anyone ever used something called a Pathmate to make a sidewalk? I have a shop at the back of my property where grass absolutely refuses to grow. I've thought quite often about putting down pavers or something to make a pseudo sidewalk going up to the shop...and maybe to the fencegate.

I just got an email from Burpee Seed company. They have free shipping over $15...and they have these Pathmath frames 40% off. They only cost $8.95. Here's the link: http://www.burpee.com/shopping/prod_detail/main.asp?MainCatID=1708&catID=1712&productID=768&page=1

(If anyone tries to go to that link, it's split onto two lines. You may have to copy-and-paste the second portion to the first portion to see these things.)

It looks simple enough to do...use an 80-pound bag of "inexpensive, premixed concrete" and some water, spread in it, smooth it, and then lift the plastic frame. Well...ok...it SOUNDS easy enough. What does one mix an 80-pound bag of concrete in???? And 80 pounds??? Ok...someone could probably lift a bag into my trunk for me...I have some doubts about getting it out of the trunk and back to the area where I need to use it??!??! Help?? Ideas? Has anyone ever done anything like this that could give me a yes or no on whether these things work?

(I guess technically, I could recruit my dad, son, brother...or some other family member as far as the 80 pounds is concerned.)

Thanks!!

[aggie94]

My best friend used one of these last summer to put in a concrete "pad" in her yard - something like a small patio, where they could put the grill, etc. I can't picture exactly how big it was, but I'd say several feet in length on each side. Her and her DH did it in one afternoon, and they thought it was easy enough. Actually, as I recall, my DH & I were over watching them for awhile and they seemed to be having a pretty good time. They did mention that the ground needs to be VERY level.

They bought their frame at Home Depot where they also picked up a mixing thing for concrete. It was a barrel-type thing that you rolled around to mix the concrete mix and water. Like this:

http://www.yardzone.com/images/1228b.JPG

And if you're concerned about hauling around an 80-pound bag of concrete mix, I'm sure you can get smaller bags.

[ISAIAH30_18]

I looked at these before myself....here's my thoughts.....probably a huge undertaking if you are going to do this for any distance, and probably not as easy as it looks - especially if you've never worked with concrete before. :eek:
As for how you would mix it....on mission trips that I have gone on, we 1) clear a spot of land (maybe a 2 or 3 ft circle)but you could use plywood or something i'm sure.
2) put a mound of cement, dig a little hole in the middle
3) pour in water
4) grap a shovel and mix!!!!!
Oh, there is no WAY this is easy!!!! And let's face it, it's cement, the stuff is heavy!!!!

Now, granted...that's the only experience I have and maybe there is something out there for the do-it yourselfer....

I'm thinking, time and effort wise, you might want to consider the already made stones....at least they will deliver those to your yard on a pallet and you can build the walk at your own pace.

Will be interested to hear your review though if you do get them.

[ISAIAH30_18]

wow aggie94!!!! you may have just revolutionized our mission trip going forward!!!!!!! hello bucket mixer!!!!!!!

[Melman]

I like that idea of having the pallet delivered with the pavers on it. Just call me a wimp. :) Actually, I'm not in any major hurry to do this since it's been ok for 4 years. I just saw the frames at such a reduced price and thought I needed to at least check on it. The frames are 20 X 24 inches. That's one 80-pound bag of concrete any way you look at it....even in smaller bags, it would still be a major endeavor. Yep...pavers sound pretty darn good. I guess I'll stick that back onto the back burner. WAYYYY far back onto the back burner.

Thanks for the quick input!!!