How to Create a Crushed Rock Pathway

Crushed rock pathways can lead from the street to the front door or make a pleasant walkway for your garden. It's important to have ample materials before you begin, so use the gravel calculator to determine how much crushed rock you should purchase. If you end up with excess rock, keep it to use in the bottom of potted plants. Enhance your new pathway with flowers, small bushes or luminaries.

Garden hose or rope
Marker flags or pegs
Straight edge garden spade
Wheelbarrow
Steel File
Tamper (opt)
Garden rake
Landscape cloth (opt)
Plastic edging
Plastic stakes
Crushed rock

Instructions

- 1
  Lay the garden hose or rope out in the pattern you desire for the walkway.
- 2
  Place flag or peg markers on each side of the hose or rope with the rope in the center. A typical pathway is 3 feet. Mark the path all the way to the end. Remove the hose or rope.
- 3
  Use the straight edge spade to cut squares of sod and remove them to the wheelbarrow. Sharpen the flat edge of the spade if it seems to become dull.
- 4
  Rake the entire path so it is flat and even. Use a tamper to compact the soil or stomp it heavily.
- 5
  Cover the pathway with landscape cloth if you are using it.
- 6
  Place the plastic edging along both sides of the pathway. The top edge of the plastic edging should be even with the grass outside the path. Remove the flags or pegs.
- 7
  Hammer the plastic stakes into the landscape cloth on the edges to help secure it.
- 8
  Place an ample amount of crushed rock along the edges on both sides on top of the landscape cloth. Then fill the center.
- 9
  Use the garden rake to spread the crushed rock evenly.

River Rock Colors for Landscaping

How to Design a Stair & Walkway

Landscaping Walks & Pathways