How to Lay a Path on Grass

Gravel Path

• 1

  Outline the intended width, length and shape of the path by spray painting lines onto the grass in your yard. Excavate the sod inside the painted lines with a spade or shovel to remove a total depth of 4-inches of soil throughout the entire path site.

• 2

  Level the soil by measuring to locate and remove any high points in the site. Once level, compact the soil with a tamper by pounding the broad end of the device against the soil until it resists imprints from your feet.

• 3

  Set stone, plastic or wood edging into place along the edges of the pathway. The edging will contain the gravel to keep it from spreading into your yard.

• 4

  Lay a 2-inch layer of medium-sized gravel into the excavated area. Smooth the gravel layer to level and then compact the layer using the soil tamper.

• 5

  Apply a final layer of fine gravel to the pathway. A 2-inch-thick layer of gravel will fill the trench, though you may add more gravel to make the layer flush with the top of the edging you installed in Step 3. Smooth and level the gravel layer, then compact this last layer with the soil tamper.

Stepping Stone

• 6

  Lay the stepping stones into place on your lawn in the intended pathway you desire. Cut a line into the soil with a garden trowel or utility knife around the perimeter of the stepping stones.

• 7

  Lift the stones and use the lines you cut in the previous step to guide as you remove sod from within the outlines. Remove soil and sod to measure 1 inch deeper than the thickness of the stepping stone pavers.

• 8

  Level and compact the soil at the bottom of the excavated areas using a soil tamper. Fill the bottom of each hole with a 1-inch layer of crushed stone. Level and compact the stone layer with the soil tamper.

• 9

  Set the stepping stones into place inside the holes and on top of the gravel layer.