A DIY Pea Stone Walkway

Lay out the trajectory and width of the path. Make a primary path at least 4 feet wide to accommodate wheelchairs and/or multiple people. Make a secondary or decorative path 30 to 36 inches wide. Use landscape spray paint to define the borders of the walkway.

Dig a trench 7 inches deep along the outlined course using a shovel. Compact loose dirt at the bottom of the hole with a hand tamper until the surface feels hard.

Lay weed-barrier fabric over the dirt and fasten it down with spikes. Spread 2 inches of gravel and stone dust, also known as pack, over the fabric and tamp it down to form a level base. Pack prevents the pea stone from sinking into the dirt over time.

Line the inside walls of the path with edge restraints--these keep gravel in and weeds out. Use a hammer to sink spikes through the edging to hold them in place.

Pour a 3-inch layer of pea stones over the path and tamp them down. Add another 3 inches and rake them evenly over the surface. Tamp the pea stones down until they don't shift under your weight.

Spread a 1-inch layer of pea stones down the center of the walkway and shape it to form a slight mound so that either side of the gravel slopes down toward the edges of the walkway. The slope aids drainage and prevents stones from spilling over the edging.