A Simple Guide to Laying a Garden Path

Adding beauty and functionality to your garden doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Garden paths are the perfect way to add dimension and visual interest to your space, and they make a great project for our DIY readers.

Whether you want to make access to a garden shed easier or draw attention to a new seating area, Atlas Sheds is here to guide you through the process.

Planning Your Path

Before creating your new path, you need to create a rough idea of how you want it to look and function.

Do you want to opt for a simple straight path that leads directly to a certain feature or a winding path for decorative purposes?

Assess Your Needs

Determine the purpose of your path before you start anything.

Garden navigation: A meandering path is ideal for creating a path that will guide guests around your garden. This can be weaved through various garden features to show off your favourite parts.

Access to structures: If you want to create access to a certain feature, choose a straight path. This could lead to a shed, greenhouse, or garage.

Visual interest: A path can be used as a decorative feature in the garden, serving no other purpose. For this, choose materials and colours that complement your garden rather than the more durable choice.

Choose Your Materials

You can choose between a few materials for your garden path, each with its own benefits. Some popular choices include:

Gravel: This is affordable, easy to install, and allows for great drainage in your garden. This helps to prevent puddles and erosion.
Paving stones: These are durable and low-maintenance, ideal for paths that will be used frequently. Although they can be more expensive, they're available in a range of colours, shapes, and sizes.
Bricks: Timeless and elegant, bricks are sturdy and long-lasting, saving you money on repairs and replacements. These can be arranged in various patterns, including herringbone and basketweave.
Wood chip: Wood chips provide a soft and rustic look for your garden. They are affordable and easy to place. However, wood chips are best for low-traffic areas.

Tools and Materials Needed

Tools

Rake and tamper
Shovel
Level
Wheelbarrow
Tape measure
Stakes or string line
Mallet
Scissors
Landscape pins

Materials

Path material (gravel, paving stones, etc.)
Sand
Weed membrane
Cement (if using paving stones or bricks)
Edging materials (wood, metal, or plastic)

A Step-by-Step Guide to Laying a Garden Path

Once you’ve planned your layout and chosen your materials, it’s time to get into the installation process.

1. Mark Out the Path

Using a tape measure, decide the desired width and length for your garden path.

For straight paths, use stakes or string lines to mark out these measurements as a guide. For curved paths, use a garden hose to outline your desired pattern, as this is more flexible and allows you to create a bendy shape.

2. Prepare the Ground

Using a shovel and wheelbarrow, clear the area of grass, weeds, and topsoil. Remove around 10 to 15 cm of the top layer of the marked area.

Aim to dig a small trench to prevent your path from sitting too high above your garden. Then, using a rake, smooth out the soil to create a level base for your path. After this, compact the soil with a tamper to create a solid foundation.

3. Secure the Edging

The edging can be placed before or after your paving material is installed.

To do this, choose whether you want to use plastic, wood, or metal for the edge of your path. Cut them to measure until they are the required height.

Then, place your material along the edge of your path, using a level to ensure each piece is straight and even. For wood edging, drive pegs or rebar at regular intervals (about every 1-2 feet) into pre-drilled holes to secure the wood in place.

For metal edging, use connectors to secure each strip to each other and secure them in place by driving metal stakes or spikes through pre-drilled holes at regular intervals.

If you’re using wood edging, place the wood pieces in the trench and secure them in place by driving stakes or rebar through pre-drilled holes at regular intervals.

4. Lay the Weed Membrane

Once the ground has been prepared, cut the weed membrane according to your measurements and lay it over the soil.

Overlap the edges of the membrane by a few inches to prevent weeds from wriggling through. Then, secure the membrane in place with landscape pins.

5. Add a Base Layer

Then, spread a layer of sand over your weed membrane with a shovel, around 5 cm deep.

Rake the sand to ensure an even surface for your paving materials. Then, compact the sand with a tamper to create a stable base.

6. Lay the Path Materials

Follow the simple steps below for each material to lay your paving materials.

Gravel Paths

For a gravel path, use a shovel to pour and smooth over 5-7 cm of gravel over your sand base.

Spread the gravel evenly with a rake, smoothing out the surface. Ensure the whole path is filled.

Paving Stone or Brick

Dampen the underside of your paving stone or brick. Then, carefully place each brick or paving stone along your sand base, starting at one end of the path and moving toward the other.

Using a spirit level, ensure each one is even and aligned. When laying each stone or brick, leave a 100mm gap between them, tapping them in place with a mallet.

Once you have laid all of the stones or bricks, lay sand over the surface and sweep it into the joints using a broom. Then, add a small amount of water to allow the sand to settle. Repeat this process until all the joints are filled.

7. Final Touches

Once you have finished laying your path, brush away any remaining materials and lightly hose your garden slabs or bricks to help the sand settle.

If you’ve created a mulch or gravel pathway, use a garden roller or hand tamper to smooth and compact the surface for a stable pathway.