How to Pour Aggregate Concrete

Lay ropes down to mark the sides of the paving site. Add 2 inches to each side to make room for the wooden form boards.

Shovel out 10 inches of dirt from the site using an excavator or shovel. Compact the dirt at the bottom with a manual tamper, pressing down until the floor feels hard.

Pour in 7 inches of 3/4-inch gravel and tamp it down. The gravel absorbs tension and facilitates drainage so the surface doesn't crack.

Install 2-by-4 boards against the walls of the excavation. Nail them end-to-end with a hammer so the boards frame the site, and sit level about 1 inch above the ground.

Empty aggregate concrete mix into a mixer and add the recommended amount of water. Blend until the mixture is shiny and thick.

Tilt the mixer to pour the concrete into the form. Use a gauge rake to spread it evenly until it is level with the top of the form boards. Pull a straight-edge over the top to fill in low areas. Wait about two hours for the concrete to begin drying.

Push a brush with soft bristles over the wet concrete to expose the aggregate beneath the thin top layer of concrete paste. Brush lightly over each section to reveal the textures and colors of aggregate stones without dislodging them.

Cover the pavement with a moist, breathable material such as canvas and dry the surface slowly for about a week.