Chamomile definitely has that cozy vibe, but yeah, it can get patchy fast if you're walking on it a lot. I tried it once around my hammock area—looked great at first, but ended up looking like a sad hair transplant after a few months 😂. Creeping thyme is a champ for foot traffic though. Have you thought about mixing in some stepping stones or pavers to save your plants from getting totally trampled?
"Have you thought about mixing in some stepping stones or pavers to save your plants from getting totally trampled?"
That's a solid suggestion. I've found that combining creeping thyme with stepping stones creates a durable yet inviting look. The stones naturally guide foot traffic, protecting the plants from excessive wear. Also, choosing irregular-shaped pavers can add a charming, organic feel to your space. It's a practical solution that maintains coziness without sacrificing durability—definitely worth considering if you want your outdoor area to stay inviting long-term.
Stepping stones definitely look nice, but I wonder if they're really necessary for every yard. A couple things I'd think about first:
- Cost-wise, even irregular-shaped pavers can add up quickly. If you're on a tight budget (like me), you might find yourself spending more than expected, especially if your space is bigger than it seems at first glance.
- Maintenance could be trickier than it sounds. Creeping thyme looks great in photos, but I've heard mixed reviews about how well it actually holds up to foot traffic over time. A friend of mine tried it, and after a season or two, some patches looked pretty rough.
- Another option might be to just leave clear pathways with mulch or gravel instead. Mulch is cheap, easy to refresh, and still gives off a cozy vibe without the hassle of laying stones.
Not knocking the stepping stone idea completely—just thinking out loud about some alternatives that might save money and hassle down the line...
Good points about the creeping thyme—I tried it myself a couple years back and had similar results. Looked amazing at first, but after a summer of kids and dogs running around, it got patchy pretty quick. Ended up replacing most of it with mulch paths instead, and honestly, it's been way easier to maintain.
A few things I've noticed from my own yard projects:
- Mulch is definitely budget-friendly and forgiving if you change your mind later. Plus, it's easy to refresh each spring.
- Gravel can look great too, but make sure you put down good landscaping fabric underneath or you'll be pulling weeds forever (learned that the hard way...).
- If you really like the stepping stone look but want to save money, consider spacing them further apart or mixing them with mulch or gravel in between. I did this in one area of my yard—still cozy and inviting without breaking the bank.
Overall though, sounds like you're thinking through all the right stuff. Whatever you choose, it'll probably turn out great.
Mulch is definitely the easiest route, no argument there. I've done gravel paths too, and yeah, weeds are a nightmare if you skip the fabric. But honestly, even with fabric, I still had some stubborn weeds poking through after a couple seasons. Maybe I just got unlucky or used cheap fabric, who knows.
One thing I haven't seen mentioned yet is wood chips from local tree services. A few years back, I got a huge load delivered for free when they were trimming trees in my neighborhood. It was a bit rougher looking than store-bought mulch at first, but after a few weeks it settled nicely and blended right in. Plus, it was totally free, which is always a win in my book. Only downside was it broke down faster than regular mulch, so I had to top it off more often.
I also tried spacing stepping stones further apart like you mentioned, but honestly, it didn't work out great for me. Maybe my spacing was off or something, but people kept stepping off the stones and trampling the plants I had in between. Eventually, I just filled in the gaps with pea gravel and called it good. Looks decent enough, but not exactly what I'd envisioned.
Curious if anyone's tried groundcover plants other than creeping thyme that hold up better to foot traffic? I've heard mixed things about clover or chamomile, but never tried them myself. Would love to hear if anyone's had success with those or something else entirely.
