Asphalt Paths

[AbbysMum]

Hi !
I am looking for some information on using, pros and cons, asphalt as paving in a vegetable garden.
Kind Regards
Susan

[Grasshopper]

Why?

[AbbysMum]

Thank You Grasshopper for responding and taking an interest.
I work for an organisation which deals with the disabled. They are planning a veggie garden and in that discussion comes paving. The trend is for asphalt, which I am against and after a web search I can not find the literature I was hoping for. Being a practising permaculturist for 26 years I thought people on here may have a better idea of where to go and what to look for
:nod:

[Grasshopper]

Im assuming raised bed and this will be a stable even surface for OH&S wheel chairs access, tripping hazards etc.???
I imagine gravel or wood chips are too uneven??
Maybe try whacked decomposed granite or recycled car tyre mats.

[AbbysMum]

Yes, from the point of view of OH&S the surface does need to be stable but not all beds will be raised. It is these non raised beds which would get the run off, even though they are, in the main to be framed with 150mm hard wood. Wood chip, I doubt would allow for wheel chair travel and personally I like the idea of the whacked granite or a topping mix, which is a natural product. Would the recycled tyre mat have a chemical run off the same, again I am guessing, as asphalt? My delemma is I have nothing concrete to tackle the issue of chemical run off from either the asphalt or the recycled tyre and at least recycled tyres are putting a product which ia already ceating a disposal problem to use.

[AbbysMum]

OK can I ask people opinion of the chemical implications of this asphalt both on food contamination and sustainability.
Kind regads