How to Make a Gravel Path

Dig out the sod and soil between the boundary lines you made with landscaping paint. You need to dig a trench about 4” into the ground. Use a square-point shovel to cut into the soil along the painted lines at this depth. Once you’ve done this along the entire length of your pathway on both sides, switch to a round-point shovel to dig out all of the soil to a 4" depth.

Ensure that the ground inside your new trench is as flat and level as possible. Tamp down the soil with a tamper. Once the soil is flat and compacted, add a layer of landscaping fabric to the excavated area as a weed barrier.

Helpful Tips

Keep a wheelbarrow handy to collect your excavated soil and sod and move it elsewhere.

When laying landscaping fabric, overlap different sections of fabric, when necessary. Be sure to overlap by at least 4" to 5" for optimal coverage.

Installing plastic edging on each side of your path will help maintain it and keep the gravel pieces from straying into your grass and surrounding area. Plastic edging usually comes in a roll of black, formed plastic and is easy to install. Because it's flexible and can be bent to fit, it is ideal for making a border along your pathway. Put a length of 5” tall edging into your trench with the rounded top sticking up. The top should only stick out of the trench enough to help keep the gravel from being washed out by rain or kicked out by foot traffic. Anchor the edging into the ground with metal garden-edging stakes placed every few feet.

Pick the type of gravel you want, taking into consideration its appearance and how it might look with the rest of your landscaping features. Gravel and stone suitable for walkways comes in many colors and sizes. Keep in mind that smaller gravel pieces, such as pea gravel or river pebbles, are easier and more comfortable to walk on, as they can be packed tight to create a solid and more or less flat surface suitable for easy walking. Decomposed granite and crushed rock are other common choices.

Spread 4” of gravel evenly on top of the landscaping fabric covering the entire path area. Use a bow rake to spread and smooth out the gravel as you go. Use a tamper to tamp the gravel down along the entire path surface to help pack and level it.

Helpful Tip

Fill your wheelbarrow with gravel for easy transport along the path. You can use a shovel to scoop gravel into the excavated area before spreading it.

Great Job! You’ve created an attractive and functional gravel path for traversing your landscape.