DIY Gravel Deck Pathway

Measure how long and wide you want your path to be. Paths that are about 2-1/2 to 3 feet wide fit one person comfortably; your path should be 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 feet wide if you want two people to be able to walk side by side. Use wooden stakes to mark your path outline, and uproot grass if applicable with a spade or shovel. Flatten the path area with a shovel once you remove all the grass.

Create your path border using materials such as brick, metal edging or natural stone such as limestone. Limestone gives a more natural look, but metal edging or brick have cleaner lines. If you use natural stone, you can combine small and larger stones for a more varied look. Use your wooden stakes as your guides, and lay the border inside the stakes. Edging should be at least 1 inch higher than the gravel to contain these small stones.

Pour bags of gravel into a large wheelbarrow. If necessary, have a friend or family member help you pour the gravel into the wheelbarrow and maneuver the wheelbarrow. Dump the gravel directly on the path, and use a rake to move it; you also can keep the gravel in the wheelbarrow and use a shovel to transfer it to the path. Whether dumping the gravel directly on the grass or using a shovel, you probably will have to fill your wheelbarrow more than once, depending on how long and wide your path is. Use the shovel to move the gravel so it is about 3 inches deep throughout the entire path.

Maintain your gravel pathway by raking it and pulling weeds on a monthly basis.