Transforming the Paths Under My Winding Pergola
Thousands of black granite bricks I bought years ago are finally being used at my Bedford, New York farm.
I originally purchased the bricks for a terrace floor project, but that never happened, and instead, the bricks remained in three large crates stored alongside my stable barn. If you follow me on Instagram @MarthaStewart48, you know I used one-third of them to line the footpaths of my large perennial flower cutting garden. I also showed photos of how the rest of the bricks were used to edge the long path under my winding clematis pergola. Both areas now look entirely different - more formal and more manicured. The project took several days for my outdoor grounds crew foreman, Chhiring, to complete, but he did a great job and it looks wonderful.
Enjoy these photos.
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- My long pergola is located across from my perennial flower cutting garden and along one side of the carriage road leading to my Winter House. The gardens are growing nicely, but after seeing how beautiful the bricks looked in the flower garden, I knew they would look great lining these paths as well.
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- Each black granite brick measures eight inches long by about two inches wide and two inches thick.
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- Chhiring starts by putting up jute twine marking where the bricks would go. The path is five feet across down the entire pergola and at the cross points.
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- Using the twine as a guide, Chhiring runs the edger along one section of the pergola.
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- Next, Chhiring digs a trench about five-inches deep on the inside of the twine.
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- The trench must be perfect, so the placement of the bricks is perfect. Here, one can see how helpful it is to use twine – the edged trench looks so straight.
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- Here’s another section of the trench all dug up and ready for the bricks.
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- One by one, Chhiring angles the bricks and positions them in a sawtooth style, laying one on another at an angle.
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- Chhiring then pushes the brick into place, so it is in line with the one behind it.
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- Chhiring uses a wooden stake as a guide to make sure all the bricks are straight. First he lines up the stake on one side…
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- And then on the other. This process takes patience to make sure every brick is lined up properly.
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- Chhiring uses a rubber mallet to pound the bricks into place so they are not damaged in the process.
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- They are all perfectly slanted. Once the brick is positioned, the soil is pushed around it until it is secure.
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- Chhiring and I have worked together on many garden design projects at my farm over the years. He is very good at executing the fine details.
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- At the corners, Chhiring places one brick straight down, and then continues with the sawtooth pattern.
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- These bricks have a natural, uneven texture, so Chhiring selects each one as he works – choosing the brick that would fit best next to the one preceding.
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- Here’s one side all complete. After several hours, this section is edged with bricks. Path edging helps to keep the structure of the path defined and the garden soil well-contained.
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- And here’s another side all done – doesn’t it look so much better than the other side without bricks? The uprights for this pergola are antique granite posts from China – originally used as grape supports in a valley that was going to be dammed and flooded to create a reservoir.
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- This pergola garden is looking fantastic this year – everything is growing so well. Soon, a gorgeous palette of purple, blue and lavender will cover the area.
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- Right now, one can see carpets of gorgeous purple muscari, or grape hyacinths.
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- But the Alliums, Camassia, striped squill, lilies, and Fritillaria imperialis are on the way. I will be sure to share more photos of the gardens as they bloom.
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- All the bold green foliage is looking so healthy and lush.
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- This is the view looking down the main path – the bricks give it a more formal appearance.
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- Here is a view of the finished center. All the soil is tamped down and raked evenly. The bricks look wonderful at this intersection.
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- Here’s another look in the opposite direction toward my perennial flower cutting garden. Another beautiful garden design project completed at my farm – and with my guidance, we had the perfect number of bricks to finish it! What do you think? Share your comments with me below.
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