How to Pea Gravel a Walkway

A pea gravel path is attractive way to line a walkway, and it can look natural or formal, depending on your preference. The smooth stones of pea gravel also make the path nice for walking on in sandals and comfortable for pets. Pea gravel is available in several sizes, and your choice of size is important for both aesthetic and maintenance reasons. Smaller gravel looks informal and natural, but it can also be the most difficult to maintain, since it's each to kick it around.

String
Tape measure
Shovel
Landscape fabric
Pea gravel

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out your path using string or even your garden hose. Walk the path several times and see if it suits your needs.
- 2
  Measure the length and width of your path. Multiply the two numbers together to get the square footage so you'll know how much pea gravel to order. For example, a path 3 feet wide and 10 feet long requires 30 square feet of pea gravel.
- 3
  Scrape the ground where the path will be free of weeds, sod and other impediments.
- 4
  Place landscape fabric down over the ground if you want to prevent any weeds from coming through. This step is not mandatory, as your gravel will prevent most -- if not all -- weed growth.
- 5
  Order pea gravel from a stone company. Having your pea gravel delivered in bulk is much easier and cheaper than buying it in bags at a garden center. Make sure the stone company pours the gravel on an area such as your driveway or another location without grass since a pile of gravel will kill the lawn underneath.
- 6
  Shovel your pea gravel onto your prepared path so that it's at least a couple of inches deep.
- 7
  Line your path with bricks or stones to keep the gravel in place.

How to Make a Sidewalk

What Do You Put Between Pavers to Make Them Stable?

Landscaping Walks & Pathways