I do like the idea of letting nature take over a bit, but I draw the line at anything that might send me flying.
Had a similar battle with moss on my old brick walkway—looked charming, but after one too many close calls, I had to rethink things. Ended up laying down reclaimed flagstones in the worst spots. It broke up the green and made it way safer. The vinegar trick works, but I found it needed repeating every few weeks in the shade. Sometimes you just have to compromise between “storybook garden” and “emergency room visit.”
Totally get where you’re coming from—there’s a fine line between “enchanted garden” and “slippery death trap.” I’ve had to do the same with my old slate path. Tried to keep the moss for that aged look, but after a couple of near wipeouts (and one actual tumble), I started spacing in gravel patches. Doesn’t ruin the vibe, but makes it way less treacherous. Sometimes you just have to tweak things until it feels right... and safe enough for bare feet or midnight snack runs.
“there’s a fine line between ‘enchanted garden’ and ‘slippery death trap.’”
Yeah, I know that line all too well. I tried to save some money by reusing old bricks for my patio walkway. Looked great at first—kind of rustic, not too fussy. But after a few rainy days, those bricks turned into an ice rink. Nearly wiped out carrying groceries in one night.
Ended up pulling a few out and mixing in some crushed granite where the worst puddles formed. Not the prettiest solution, but it’s cheap and keeps things way less slick. I’d wanted to keep more moss, but honestly, safety won out over style this time.
If you’re on a budget like me, pea gravel or decomposed granite goes a long way for traction and doesn’t cost much. Plus you can just fill in the problem spots instead of redoing the whole path.
It’s always a trade-off between “looks cool” and “doesn’t break your neck.” Sometimes you gotta compromise a bit—especially when you’re the one footing the bills for ER visits...
That’s the truth—slippery bricks are no joke. I’ve had the same issue with old flagstone, especially after a bit of rain and some moss growth. It looks awesome, but man, you need hiking boots just to get the mail sometimes.
- Crushed granite works, but I’ve also tried sand mixed with a little cement in the worst spots. It’s not as pretty, but it packs down tight and doesn’t shift much.
- I get wanting to keep the moss for that “fairy tale” vibe, but safety’s gotta come first. Maybe just let it grow around the edges instead of on the main path?
- If you ever want to try something different, rubber pavers can be a budget option too. Not as rustic, but they’re grippy and easy on the feet.
Honestly, I’d rather have a slightly mismatched path than another bruised tailbone...
I hear you on the moss—looks great until you’re skating to the trash cans. Have you ever tried a sealant with some grit mixed in? I did that on my back steps and it helped, though it dulls the color a bit. Curious if anyone’s found a way to keep the look but add traction...
