there is very little if anything that you don't have to do some maintenance on at some point.........it's called gardening.

This post was edited by plantknitter on Sat, Mar 23, 13 at 1:46

In your situation as described, I'd use pavers.
Mike

I would second the paver idea, depending on the size of the area that needs paving. If the area is between the fence and one bed or the fence and the short side of all three beds, it is feasible.

Wood chips are also frequently used for this purpose - free, easily replaced when necessary and pretty impervious to mud or weeds. It's what they use at the P-patches.

Pea garden is kind of a pain. Spreads where you don't want it, because it's easy to kick around, and I find that weeds take root pretty easily. On the other hand, it is easy to rake to help get rid of said weeds.

You could try crushed recycled concrete--this is becoming a popular alternative to gravel. It compacts really well. The only issue I can think of is that you don't know the source of the concrete--it could be from an older building with lead-based paints (this is why I didn't use it--I have a toddler and am pregnant with our second child; both of whom will be crawling our garden paths). And initially when you spread it there is a bit of dust.

I'd probably go with laying newspapers, a base coat of the cheapest gravel spread to 3" deep, and then a top coat (spread to 2" deep) of -1/4" gravel or decomposed granite or some other stone if it's affordable for you.

I'd forget the ground cover, most won't work for sustained walking areas. The Steppables series sold at some nurseries are good for infrequent travel over.

Good luck!

Since I have a continuous supply of wood chips, that's what I use.
Mike

lol...botann!

@ Family Living Simple - Grass can be cut with a weed wacker in small areas. I use a grass hog to cut grass on slope areas where the mower can't go, it's easy and fast and a great workout.

The solution here is not to plant grass where a mower can't go.
I think of grass a liquid and the shape should reflect that. A stream, a pool, a lake. Most people cut out beds in their lawn. The result is 'cut out' beds and the lawn loses it's flowing shape.
The shape of the lawn is more important than the shape of the beds, even if it's a small lawn in relation to the beds. Design the lawn first and what's left is the beds. The design works better that way. It flows.
Mike

Burlap coffee bags work well. They break down overtime and are easy on the knees when working in the beds.

Lovely photo, botann.