• Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
Facebook Twitter Instagram
lets-do-diy.com
  • Home
  • DIY
    • Self build
    • Projects and advice
      • Bathroom
      • Building, brickwork and masonry
      • Ceilings
      • Cleaning
      • Concrete work
      • Damp, rot and infestation
      • Drains
      • Electrical
      • Fireplaces
      • Floors
      • Garden
      • Heating
      • Insulation
      • Kitchen
      • Lighting
      • Lofts
      • Painting and decorating
      • Plasterwork
      • Plumbing
      • Roof and guttering
      • Safety
      • Security
      • Tiling
      • Walls
      • Windows
      • Woodwork
    • Glossary
    • Know your tools
    • Know your materials
  • Cost guides
  • News
  • Community
lets-do-diy.com
You are at:Home»Projects and advice»Creating a garden path

Creating a garden path

Summary: Learn how to create a garden path, build a paved path and construct a gravel path


Garden paths can be created from a variety of different materials including paving blocks or slabs and gravel.


Position treated edging boards along the edge of the dug out path.
Spread sharp sand into the excavated area and level it with a batten.
Use a block splitter to cut your paving blocks to size.
Sweep as much of the sand as possible into the gaps between the paving blocks.

Creating a paved path

Before you start, you will need to have access to a block splitter to cut the paving blocks to size. It will improve the quality of the finished path as well as speeding up the job.

  • Start by laying out the shape of the path using wooden pegs and string.
  • Once you are sure of the shape, size and direction of the path, excavate to a depth of one paving block plus 50mm (2in) for the sand bed.
  • Position treated edging boards along the edge of the dug out path.
  • Secure the edging boards by knocking wooden pegs into the ground just behind the boards, using a mallet.
  • Compress the soil with a rammer.
  • Spread sharp sand into the excavated area and level it off by dragging a batten cut to fit between the edging boards down the length of the path.
  • Place a paving block on the path to check that it lies flush with the top of the edging boards. Making any necessary alterations by adding or further compacting sand underneath.
  • Lay the paving blocks in your chosen pattern, butting them against each other.
  • Blocks cut to size will need to be fitted in the spaces. To cut paving blocks, place a block between the jaws of the block splitter and align the block with the cutting line. Then simply pull the lever down so the splitter breaks the block cleanly.
  • To bed the blocks, knock them in with a rubber mallet.
  • Use a spirit level to check the path is even. If one of the blocks is not quite level, remove it and re-level the sand underneath.
  • Spread kiln dried sand over the path you have just laid, so it covers all the gaps and joints.
  • Use a compacting plate to compress the paving blocks so they are bedded more thoroughly. Avoid scratching the blocks by shielding them with a layer of sand.
  • Brush over the path once the paving blocks are suitably compacted. Sweep as much of the sand as possible into the gaps between the paving blocks.
  • Let the path settle for 3-4 days, before going over the surface again with more sand to fill any remaining gaps.

Tools needed

  • Sting line
  • Spade
  • Shovel
  • Rammer
  • Claw hammer
  • Rubber mallet
  • Spirit level
  • Mechanical compactor
  • Block splitter

Materials needed

  • Treated timber edging boards
  • Paving blocks
  • Edging boards
  • Sharp sand
  • Gravel
  • Kiln dried sand

Position treated timber edging boards on either side of the path and secure them with wooden pegs.
Spread 50mm of hardcore onto the membrane surface as evenly as possible.
Lay gravel over the hardcore layer and rake the gravel so that is it level.

Creating a gravel path

  • Lay out the shape of the path using wooden pegs and string.
  • Excavate the path area to a depth of at least 100mm (4in) deep.
  • Position treated timber edging boards on either side of the path and secure them with wooden pegs knocked into the ground.
  • When you are sure the boards are level, screw the board to the pegs.
  • Then lay weed-proof membrane on the base of the excavation, making sure there is an overlap between separate pieces of material.
  • Spread hardcore onto the membrane surface, applying it about 50mm thick as evenly as you can.
  • Compact the hardcore with a rammer and lay gravel on top, then rake the gravel evenly adding more where necessary.
  • Over a period of weeks, when the path has been allowed to settle, you may need to add more gravel.

Tools needed

  • String line
  • Spade
  • Shovel
  • Spirit level
  • Claw hammer
  • Screwdriver
  • Garden rake

Materials needed

  • Treated timber edging boards
  • Screws
  • Weed-proof membrane
  • Hardcore
  • Gravel


Related projects

  • Average cost of a driveway
  • Average cost of a greenhouse
  • Average cost of a shed
  • Average cost of block paving
  • Average cost of decking
  • Average cost of landscaping
  • Average cost of soil
  • Average cost of tree removal
  • Average cost to hire a mini digger
  • Average cost to lay turf
  • Average fence installation cost
  • Average patio cost
  • Building steps
  • Installing pond liners
  • Laying a patio
Recent Comments
  • Vic on Is Christmas a good time for DIY?
  • Anonymous on Average air source heat pump cost (2022)
  • Reggie on Prepare your home for moth season
Latest News
0

Potential DIY home improvement trends for 2023

1

Is Christmas a good time for DIY?

0

Design trends for 2022 and 2023

0

Product Review: Handsaws

Popular Guides

Average dishwasher installation cost

Average drywall or plaster board cost

Average cost of bricks

Average air source heat pump cost (2022)

Popular Projects

Paint effects

Dry lining masonry walls

How to bleed a radiator

Fitting an airbrick

DIY Categories
Bathroom
Building, brickwork and masonry
Ceilings
Cleaning
Concrete work
Damp, rot and infestation
Drains
Electrical
Fireplaces
Floors
Garden
Heating
Insulation
Kitchen
Lighting
Lofts
Painting and decorating
Plasterwork
Plumbing
Roof and guttering
Safety
Security
Tiling
Walls
Windows
Woodwork

Self Build Guide
How to find a building plot
Evaluating a building plot (2023)
How to get a self build mortgage
Self build construction options
Self build architect and design considerations (2023)
Self build planning permission and legal consents
© 2023 lets do diy ltd | ebuild
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact us

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT