DIY Network

Gardening Tips Find out how easy water gardening can be, how to build a garden path and much more about making your garden beautiful. From "Today Show Tips" episode DTST-114

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The top layer of pea stone will settle into the substrate of stone dust to make a durable, natural garden path.

Install a Gravel Garden Path

Whether you like the look of stone or brick walkways, there's a way to add a garden path to your yard yourself. Here are some easy steps to follow.

1. Start with design. As with any home-improvement project, it should be part of a master plan. Consider having a landscape architect or garden designer work up a master plan for your yard.

2. Edging is an important element of a path, and there is a variety of materials that will do the job: pressure-treated lumber, plastic, aluminum and steel. You might opt for stones if you want a very natural look.

3. Excavate the path. You can do it with a garden spade or, if you have a large area, rent a compact excavator. Dig out about 6 to 8 inches. Deeper is better; the path will be more stable.

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4. Add your bed material, which can be sand or stone dust, which is the fines from making gravel. It packs down well and makes a really stable substrate. As you lay the substrate, work in 1-inch layers, wetting down and tamping each layer as you go. You can use a hand tamper or rent a plate tamper.

5. Put your edging material in place, then pour in pea stone or rice stone to cover the substrate with about 1/2 inch layer. Tamp it into the stone dust.

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