I recently replaced and shortened my very old weathered deck in order to give my dog and cats an area they too can enjoy without wandering off. I would like to create a path with planting and planters on the periphery. I can not decide on the medium to use. I favor wood chips for the rustic look. It's inexpensive and a simple diy project but it absorbs the animals urine and it smells. Nice gravel would work but is a little more involved. We would all love grass but it's high maintenance. Forget pavers it's not in my budget. Any suggestions? (please ignore the garbage bags they are full of 30 years with of under-the-deck garbage.)