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How to Install a Crushed Granite Walkway

Crushed granite adds a polished look to a landscape without taking attention away from gardens and plants. Adding a crushed granite walkway will protect your grass by directing guests along one path. You can lay crushed granite as a water-penetrable surface through areas with drainage problems to improve water absorption. Installing the walkway is a simple project you can complete yourself over a weekend.

Things You'll Need

  • Rope (2)
  • Landscape paint
  • Shovel or excavator
  • Hand tamper
  • Weed screen
  • Spikes
  • 3/4 inch aggregate
  • Crushed granite
  • Rake
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Instructions

    • 1

      Decide on the course for the walkway by setting two ropes parallel along different paths. Try a direct, angled path and a winding path to see which you prefer. Once you choose, space the ropes four feet apart for a main path and 30 to 36 inches apart for a secondary path. Spray paint over the ropes to mark the outlines.

    • 2

      Dig out the soil from the course with an excavator or shovel until you have a path seven inches deep. Transfer the soil to a low-lying area to build a raised flower bed. Pack down the remaining dirt with a hand tamper.

    • 3

      Place the weed screen over the tamped dirt and secure it with spikes through the corners.

    • 4

      Pour about four inches of 3/4 inch crushed aggregate over the site and pack it down with the tamper until the rocks resist. Adding the layer of tamped aggregate improves drainage and provides a solid base for the granite so it does not sink over time.

    • 5

      Pour three inches of crushed granite over the aggregate. Consider using decomposed crushed granite as the added resin will prevent erosion and preserve color. Level the granite with a rake, and then pour an additional inch so the walkway is one inch above ground level to help drainage. Tamp the granite down to make it firm.