How to Lay Gravel in Landscaping

Lay ropes or garden hoses to represent the borders of the desired pathway. Later you'll replace these temporary boundaries with edging. A typical garden path is about 3 feet wide.

Dig a 4-inch-deep trench inside the pathway borders, using a shovel. Cut out any roots with lopping shears. Rake the ground inside the boundaries and use a hand tamper to compact the soil even.

Pour 2½ inches of crushed stone inside the boundary and rake it out to make it level. Water the stone and compact it with the hand tamper until it's 2 inches deep.

Roll landscaping fabric over the crushed stone, shiny side up. Use a utility knife to cut the fabric around curves.

Line walkway borders with pieces of edging. Tap the edging 2½ inches above the landscape fabric level and replace the ropes or hoses. Edging is necessary to contain the gravel and prevent it from spilling over the walkway borders.

Pour gravel inside the walkway borders to a depth of 2 inches. Any higher, and the gravel may spill over the borders.

Rake the gravel to make the pathway smooth and level.