How to Build a Gravel Patio

Draw an outline of the patio with a can of spray paint. Drive stakes into the ground at all four corners of the patio at the same depth. Attach a string line that runs around the perimeter of the patio. Check that the strings are level all the way across. Adjust the strings until they are level.

Dig straight down from the spray paint line into the soil. Use a square-head shovel to keep the edges straight. Remove four inches of soil from the ground. Discard the old soil.

Compact the soil with a hand tamper. Fill the area with 2 ½ inches of pack. Pack is a mixture of sand and small stones. Level the area and tamp it down with the hand tamper until it is two inches deep.

Lay a sheet of landscape fabric across the space. Lay out flexible edging around the perimeter. Flexible edging will hold the gravel in place and create the outline of your new patio. Drive stakes through the small holes in the edging, through the landscape fabric and into the ground.

Fill the area with gravel. Pea gravel is a good size for this project and is readily available at most home improvement stores. Fill the area with 1 1/2 inches of gravel so that the top of the patio sits ½ inch below the top of the edging.