Question
Dear Kenneth,
I live in Manchester UK and would like to make a lawn labyrinth in my garden (simple-design one, not like Chartres !!) I would like the path to be made of lawn and where, in a maze, you would have usually some kind of bushey, shrubby thing, I'd like to keep it "naked", just soil, I would cut out the lawn to end up with a green and dark brown labyrinth.
My question is as follow: do I need a kind of net underneath for drainage and how do I prevent the grass/lawn to grow in the space in between the paths ? I am not keen on pouring insecticide and don't want a high maintenance labyrinth (haven't got the time unfortunately.)
Any advice ?
Thank you,
Catherine

Answer
I recommend putting down landscape fabric (black plastic which prevent weeds and grass from growing up through the soil, but which allow water to drain through.

cover this landscape fabric with 2" of a light colored mulch, crushed stone, or builders sand. Such path consisting of mulch, stone or sand will be more attractive in the long run, and provide a more comfortable path for the feet compared to bare soil which will crust up and dry.