00:00A few years ago I made this wooden walkway from scrap wood that joins my
00:04driveway to the front lawn. It stood the test of time and even became a viral
00:09sensation online. However now that the top boards are starting to show some
00:13weather it's time for a refresh. After removing a few boards I now know what I
00:18need to do. These boards that were sitting on the soil are actually still
00:23in good condition so I'm going to leave those. I'm just going to replace the top
00:27ones but being that these are in good condition means they were protecting
00:31these top boards. These just rotted because they didn't protect them so I'll
00:35do that this time. Since the original support boards became unlevel over time
00:40I removed them from the space to start fresh again. To create a brand new
00:44pathway you'd select your area first then remove any plants in the way then rework
00:49the soil so it's flat and level. I used a cultivator tool to roll over the
00:54compacted soil until it was fluffy. Then a metal rake helped to smooth things out
00:59with the final swipe with the back of the rake to make it as level as possible.
01:03Two treated boards cut to the length of my desired walkway were positioned back on
01:09the soil then reworked a little to make them both level to each other. After
01:13rummaging through my scrap wood pile I chose one type of board I knew I'd have
01:18just enough of for the new pathway. If using more than one type of board I'd suggest
01:23to make sure they are the same thickness so the pathway can remain as level as
01:27possible. Using one of the old planks as a measuring device I marked the new board
01:32to that length then cut it with a miter saw which was then used to draw
01:36guidelines on all the other boards and batch cut all of them with the miter saw.
01:40The freshly cut boards were then placed across the two planks on the ground.
01:45The ground planks will serve to take on most of the moisture from the soil while
01:49the top planks will be better protected since they are elevated. This is the
01:53secret to longevity of this build.
01:56My goodness what a difference I hadn't realized the originals had deteriorated
02:01this much but it happens with age so on to the new.
02:08I want to also watch the position of these boards in conjunction to the top planks
02:12because if they are too far on one side it might make the whole path a little tipsy.
02:18But this is a long path and it's going to be quite heavy when it's all attached so it'll
02:22be fine.
02:23To create the curve I tightened up the spacing inside the curve while leaving more of a gap
02:29on the outer side. Then it was time to assemble. Each plank was screwed into the baseboards
02:34with one screw on each side. And the final test is to walk on it. Oh it feels as solid
02:43as a rock.
02:46Fabulous. The walkway then got a light sanding while still leaving plenty of texture so the boards were
02:52more slip resistant. Then after a good sweep I painted on some weather protectant called Olympic
02:58Water Guard in Natural. I like this product because it doesn't leave a yellow tinge to the wood.
03:04It's also best to protect the boards at least once a year for longevity.
03:08Now it was time to clean up the surroundings. I couldn't have a beautiful new walkway with spent
03:13flowers and weeds right next to it after all. So I reworked the soil and did some deadheading
03:18until everything was nicely cleaned up. And the end result is a beautiful sturdy new walkway that
03:24looks like a million bucks while costing actually nothing to make at all. The walkway makes the
03:30perfect entry from the driveway through to the front yard. Oh it never ceases to amaze me how a simple
03:36DIY like this can transform a space in just a matter of hours. Now let's go use it for what
03:42it's meant for
03:42picking flowers. This little pathway and portal makes me feel like I have my own secret garden.
03:58You'll want to start saving those party size takeout containers when you see how easily they can help
04:03enhance your garden. I'm gathering two larger and two smaller party trays than removing the lids. The trays
04:11are being dry fit on the ground of a small container vegetable garden where I think they will be
04:15perfect. I'm pouring a little olive oil into each pan then spreading it around using some paper until
04:22the bottoms and a little along the sides are well coated. Reaching for some bagged concrete that dries
04:28overnight I'm shoveling some into a five gallon bucket then mixing it with water until I reach a thick
04:34pudding consistency. You'll want to be sure to wear eye mouth and hand protection for this step. You'll also
04:40want to be diligent to rinse the concrete off the tools in between using them so the concrete
04:45doesn't harden on them. I'm now adding some mixed concrete into the smaller trays filling them up
04:51until they are full then leveling the concrete with a small trowel. Next up I'm mixing a larger batch of
04:58concrete to add to the larger trays filling them up at least two to three inches thick then troweling them
05:04smooth as well. In hindsight I think a slightly wetter mix leaves you with a smoother finish when they are
05:10done. I am leaving the trays outdoors overnight to cure. The next day the concrete looks really dry so
05:16I'm testing a form by pulling away the sides to check it looks good. I'm now removing all the trays
05:23by gently pulling on the sides of each tray then flipping each concrete slab on top of my hand while
05:29gently setting them down onto some cardboard to protect them. I'm now brushing off any loose
05:34concrete that may be remaining while admiring all those impressive edge details. I also noticed that
05:40none of the trays crap during removal which means they are reusable if you wish to make more to match.
05:46Now each concrete stone is being positioned in the vegetable garden then shuffled around until I decide
05:52exactly where I want each one to go. Once positioned I'm placing a carpenter's level on top of each stone
05:59then leveling them by scooping some soil underneath. And I am now the proud owner of a custom stepping
06:05stone garden path I can use to navigate right through my vegetable garden without stepping on any soil.
06:12More times than not I'm generally barefoot when I check in on the garden so this will come in handy
06:17keeping my feet much cleaner. However it also keeps shoes cleaner too especially when it happens to be
06:23raining. The stones are positioned perfectly and comfortably so I don't have to make an effort to
06:28reach each one. I think the shapes make the garden look even more quaint and unique so much more than
06:33simple round or square that you buy at stores. I hope this inspires you to consider collecting a few
06:38party trays to try making a few of your own stepping stones since they are so easy to make. We
06:44are collecting
06:45branches from a generous neighbor who just pruned some oak trees during fall. Once the leaves started
06:50to drop I pulled the remaining leaves off all the branches until they were completely bare. Moving to
06:55the front door I am placing two old metal buckets on each side of the entry area. I'm now grabbing
07:02the
07:02largest of the branches and positioning them into the buckets then using smaller branches as fillers tucked
07:08in around them. Grabbing some florist's wire I'm winding the wire around the bulk of the branches
07:14to secure them together. Moving the branches close to the wooden door frame I'm using an electric
07:20stapler to attach the wire to the woodwork to secure the branches in one spot. As I'm working I'm pruning
07:26off any branches that will hinder the door from swinging or people walking around it. I'm now choosing
07:31two of the longest branches to create a slight curve on top when combined and long enough to reach both
07:37front door lights. They are being wrapped with wire to secure them together. After making a few branch
07:43trims I'm carrying the tied branches to position them over top of each light. After adding a few
07:50more branch fillers I'm wiring them to any other secure branches within reach. After a quick pruning
07:56I'm now untangling some white stringed outdoor mini lights. My intention had been to use lights with green
08:02strings however since I didn't have enough I have a plan to make this look even better than my original
08:08idea. Grabbing some faux snow spray I'm spraying the branches so they look like fresh blown snow all
08:14over them which also chimes in beautifully with the white stringed lights. If you'd like a more
08:19permanent option you can also paint the branches with white spray paint before they are mounted.
08:25To better secure the branches over the door area I screwed two boards together then mounted them in the
08:30middle of the door. And the result is a whimsical front door winter scene that resembles stepping into
08:36Narnia. Wow what an effect during the day and at night. The white stringed lights look positively
08:42charming draped on the white snowy branches mimicking sparkling snow. I hope this inspires you to save
08:48some prune branches to create a light up winter tree arch of your own.
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