Laying a garden path is a smart choice for any outdoor space. A path connects a garden to the home it belongs to, provides a practical way to navigate the space and adds an attractive and stylish design feature.
There are a number of ways to lay a garden path – so below you’ll find step-by-step guides on how to lay a path in your garden using concrete pavers, gravel or brick, and the benefits of each.
How do I lay a garden path with concrete pavers?
If you will be using your path a lot then hardy concrete paving might be a good option. It will also give you the chance to mix colours and materials to create a unique design. Here’s how to lay a garden path with concrete pavers:
- Mark the route of the path with pegs and a line
- Dig 170mm into the soil along the route of your path
- Lay a compacted sub-base of 100m
- Cover the area with 40mm of concrete mix
- Lay concrete pavers 15mm into the concrete, leaving a 10mm gap between them
- Leave to set for at least 24 hours
- Fill the gaps between the concrete pavers with Weatherpoint 365
What tools do I need?
- Trowel
- Spade
- Rake
- Wheelbarrow
- Rubber mallet
- Spirit level
- Tape measure
- String line and pegs
- Screed board
- Cement mixer (optional)
What materials do I need?
Step-by-step: Laying a garden path with concrete pavers
Prepping the area
Once you’ve decided on the route of your garden path, mark out the chosen area with pegs and string, hammering the pegs into the ground with a rubber mallet.
Get digging
Dig out the path with a spade, aiming for a depth of 170mm that will contain the sub-base, cement and concrete. Make sure the soil is evenly compacted.
Layer up
Pour in the sub-base, compacting it to a depth of 100mm. Then start folding up your concrete mix, which should be three parts sand to one part cement, and have a doughy consistency. You’ll need enough concrete to form an even 40mm layer on top of the sub-base.
Paving the way
It’s then time to add your concrete pavers. Lay these one at a time, pressing them 15mm into the concrete mix. Tap them gently into place with a rubber mallet, and aim to leave a 10mm gap between each one. Leave them to set for 24 hours.
Finishing up
Once they’re set, use a trowel to fill the gaps between the pavers with Marshalls Weatherpoint 365.
How do I lay a garden path with bricks?
Laying a garden path with bricks such as
Drivesys Original Cobbles is a great way to add an attractive feature to your garden. It’s relatively straightforward to create a brick path that meanders through your garden, while they also provide a strong, durable surface. Here’s how to lay a garden path with bricks:
- Mark the line of your path with pegs and string
- Dig 180mm into the soil along the route of your path
- Set plastic landscape edging along the inside
- Fill the excavation with 80mm damp sand, compacted
- Set your bricks in the sand with a rubber mallet, leaving 20mm between them
- Sweep sand into the joints, leaving a thin layer on top
What tools do I need?
- Spirit level
- Rubber mallet
- Spade
- Wheelbarrow
- Pegs and string
- Screed board
- Broom
What materials do I need?
- Bricks or cobblestones
- Plastic landscape edging
- Sand
- Spray marking paint
Step by step: laying a garden path with bricks
Plot your layout
Think about the route of your garden path and then mark it out with pegs and string, hammering the pegs into the ground with a rubber mallet.
Dig out the path
Take your spade to the soil, digging 180mm down along the route of your path. Use a spirit level to make sure the soil is even.
Set the edge
Line the insides of the excavation with plastic landscape edging, which will help ensure your garden path has smooth and clean lines.
Add sand
Pour in 80mm of sand and compress with a screed board. The sand should be slightly damp to help it pack better.
Lay your bricks in
Set the bricks down one by one, starting on the near side before working outwards. Aim to leave around 20mm between each one. Gently tap them into the damp sand with a rubber mallet.
Fill the joints
Sweep sand into the joints, leaving a thin layer on top. Then let it dry and sweep it in again, working the broom back and forth until the joints are filled. Leave them to set for 24 hours.
How do I lay a garden path with gravel?
Laying a garden path with gravel is a great way to add a natural look to your garden and it’s also a good option if you’re looking for something that doesn’t require too much maintenance.. Here’s how to lay a gravel garden path:
- Mark the line of your paths with pegs and string
- Dig 60mm into the soil along the route of your path
- Fit edging boards to the pegs
- Line the path with landscape fabric, trimmed to fit
- Pour gravel to fill the path and rake it level
What tools do I need?
- Spirit level
- Rubber mallet
- Spade
- Wheelbarrow
- Pegs and string
- Rake
- Screed board
What materials do I need?
Step by step: laying a garden path with gravel
Plot your layout
Mark out the route of your garden path with pegs and string. Drive in the pegs at 1m intervals, level with the ground.
Excavate
Dig 60mm into the soil, using a spirit level to make sure it’s even.
Set edging
Fit treated edging boards to the pegs – these will help contain the gravel within the path and stop it spilling out on to the garden.
Line it with landscape fabric
Trim landscape fabric to fit the base of your path, and lay it down. Give the fabric an overlap of at least 100mm if you need to use multiple sheets to completely cover the area.
Pour in the gravel
Add the gravel and rake it level. You may find you need to add more when the path has settled as the surface is likely to sink slightly.
Would you prefer to have an expert lay your garden path? Get in touch today or find your nearest Marshalls-accredited installer.
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