How to Get the Pea Gravel to the Top of the Concrete

Mix the poured concrete with the pea gravel thoroughly, using a concrete rake. Use the rake to pull as much of the pea gravel to the top of the concrete surface while mixing.

Wait a couple of hours for the top of the concrete surface to begin to harden. The concrete needs to reach the pre-hardened stage, where it is hard but still flexible enough to push the pea gravel into the concrete surface. Fill a bucket with pea gravel and scatter an even amount of pea gravel across the top surface of the concrete. Spread approximately one gallon of pea gravel for every 3 to 5 feet of concrete in a even manner.

Smooth the pea gravel into the top of the concrete surface by applying pressure with a concrete trowel. Use the trowel to press the pea gravel into the top surface of the concrete while smoothing the surface at the same time. Ensure that the pea gravel is even across the top surface

Use a concrete float if necessary to finish smoothing the pea gravel into the top surface of the concrete and to finish smoothing the concrete itself.