Woodchip path over lawn

Hey guys

Wasn't sure what forum to put this in...

I've redesigned my garden and now have 8 raised beds (1mx1mx30cm). I need to create a path around these beds at 1m between each bed and 1 long path of 10m

and long term, it will be grass. Right now, I am on heavy compacted clay soil with a lawn that has seen better days! Right now it is more mud than grass. i don't have a drainage issue. I do get some small puddles but only after 4 days of heavy winter downpours but I do believe this is because of how compact my soil is.

Was thinking if i could create a pathway of cardboard and wood chips over the current 'lawn' and leave it for 2 years. My thinking this will be like a 'no dig bed' as these materials will compost down over time and then I could dig the organic matter into the soil. Hoping to create a better soil for sowing a lawn in time.

I know i could dig it all up but honestly, it was back breaking work just digging out the 10 smallish garden beds ready for my dwarf fruit trees.

Does this sound like it could work?

Ta
Mena

 

Yes, it will work. I like the no dig gardening bit, I practice this a lot. The problem you'll have, is the blackbirds toss all the wood chips onto other areas as they search for food

 

brilliant as I have two resident black birds

 

Got around to laying the cardboard, making sure it was wet and laying the Woodchip.

cannot wait to see what it looks like in 18-24 months.

needs to sort of the flower boarders and make sure the Woodchip does not overflow to much.