Garden Labyrinth

[Roots&Wings]

Does anyone have a garden labyrinth? This is on my bucket list. Walking a labyrinth can be quite calming, and contemplative.

They can be wild, formal, in a forest, at the front door, simple, complex. Some examples below

       
      

[NaN]

There are several formed in a trail system near where I live. They seem to have expanded during the pandemic.

[Papa bear]

These don’t look very big.  For something to be relaxing and contemplative, wouldn’t you want something much larger? I imagine walking in a circle in my backyard.  May as well chase the lawn mower while I do it...

So what size are you thinking? Seems pretty easy to build.


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[MonkeyJenga]

I have a natural labyrinth made up of plants that grew quickly and now make me crouch and inch my way around them, does that count? :P

[Roots&Wings]

I have a natural labyrinth made up of plants that grew quickly and now make me crouch and inch my way around them, does that count? :P

Haha of course! As long as you find it calming and contemplative :)

So what size are you thinking? Seems pretty easy to build.

Probably around 12-14' diameter (I liked this 5 circuit one, it was about 13' diameter).



Main concern is easy maintenance. The sunken pavers in grass (or mulch) might be easiest to maintain, and I didn't like walking on gravel. Haven't decided yet whether to try this as a community project at a public park or just in my own yard.

[Roots&Wings]

There are several formed in a trail system near where I live. They seem to have expanded during the pandemic.

This would be awesome, as long as the trails aren't overrun with people. That's been the problem here.

[moneypitfeeder]

I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share another type of garden labyrinth. I don't use bricks or different plants to define the path, just mow the grass at 2 heights. I let my labyrinth grow back in for the last couple of years but I may come up with a new design for 2021.

[Morning Glory]

Ooh, pretty. One of my local parks has one. I built an herb spiral once with a pile of bricks I had lying around. It was similar to a labyrinth but smaller with a hump in the middle, and it was nice because it covered up an ugly tree stump.  I ended up taking it down because it was too hard to mow around and quickly became a creeping charlie spiral. It was fun and good exercise to build, and that was in the pre-kid days when I had more time.

[uniwelder]

I know this is an old thread, but wanted to share another type of garden labyrinth. I don't use bricks or different plants to define the path, just mow the grass at 2 heights. I let my labyrinth grow back in for the last couple of years but I may come up with a new design for 2021.

I really like this. Will give it a try this coming spring.

A few years ago we tried rooting a few hundred yew bush cuttings, but ended up getting moldy before growing roots. The goal was to make a labyrinth in a 50x50 section of the yard.

[Roots&Wings]

That is awesome @moneypitfeeder how do you mow the design so perfectly?

[moneypitfeeder]

Thanks! Once you get it set the first time it's easy to keep it mowed right. To create it, I put a stake (rebar) in the center and then tied a length of string that when stretched out hit the outer edge, pulled it tight and walked in a circle around the stake periodically marking with a can of marking spray paint. Then I shortened the string by the width of the "divider" and went around again (and so forth till all the circles where marked). Then just mark the turns and where not to cut through the circles. Takes a week or two till all the marking paint is mowed off, but then it is pretty easy to follow.

[Roots&Wings]

Very cool, hadn't seen a mowed labyrinth before and that makes sense to do the outer circle first and work in (I guess divide by mowing width of lawn mower for number of circuits).

If you do a new design for 2021, I hope you post an update! There are so many different labyrinth designs.