Tips for Building a Planted Path. The sand works as a binding agent helping hold all of the pavers in place. Step by step. Step 9: Compact the Surface. Whether your garden design is formal, with obvious routes, or is more open and informal, directing people so that they don’t trample all over your garden. Prepare the area by trenching out about 2 inches into the ground with a shovel or hoe along the outside edge of your painted lines. In addition to serving a decorative purpose, it may be the solution to a problem. The even green color contrasts with adjacent flowering plants. A grass path is inexpensive and easy to install using seed or sod. Learn the simple, time-tested techniques used to build a winding, free-form walk. The upper and lower posts were to be connected with a 2 x 4 support beam which the boardwalk planks would screw right into. Then, using a hammer and border stakes, secure the vinyl garden border in place. Create an heirloom garden pathway or sidewalk by combining bricks or pavers with natural stone accent pieces. Define Your Pathway. An area where a path has already been worn across the grass, a spot where grass refuses to grow, an area that receives little moisture, or an abandoned garden project are all excellent examples where to create an attractive and functional river rock path. A grass path of uniform width, shown here, gives the feeling of walking through a single garden rather than through two separate areas of the yard. Build a path on a slope that has good drainage and footing that isn't slippery. We'll show you how to build it and give you ideas to turn a simple paving stone walkway into a focal point for your outdoors. Step 4: Level the Ground. You can also make the path as wide as you like: 3 to 4 feet is standard. An easy way to do this is to mark the pathway area with turf paint or you can also use a garden hose to define the area. Step 1. Carefully blow off any excess sand with a leaf blower. Step 5: Add the Crushed Stone Base Layer. The type of mix will be decided by what the concrete will be used for (see the table for more details). The thickness of the concrete is … Use a vibrating roller to level the hoggin to the height of the metal edging or use a plank of wood placed across the path and hit with a sledge hammer. Do you want to spruce up an ordinary, all-purpose sidewalk? Carefully blow off any excess sand with a leaf blower. The moisture … Preparing the Area. How to Lay a Brick Pathway Step 1: Prep Ground. Eileen had some solid points, so a new walkway got added to the list. If using spray paint, buy line-marking paint, which allows you to easily spray lines while holding the can upside down. Monty Don offers a step-by-step guide, from creating a firm base that will drain freely, to laying the bricks evenly for a pleasing finish. This will enable it to be compacted down with a vibrating roller, so that it is flush with the metal edging. Pour a liberal amount of polymeric sand onto the walkway and sweep into the cracks. Create an heirloom garden pathway or sidewalk by combining bricks or pavers with natural stone accent pieces. Creating joints with a “groover” in wet concrete is less work and less mess. But regular weeding, watering, feeding and mowing are required. She was worried about our little one tackling those rocks or our dog scampering through the bushes each time he went out. On top of that, the pathway was so narrow, as the bushes had grown bigger than probably anticipated. Step 3: Mark Edges. Joints should be at least one-fourth the depth of the concrete. Step 1: Dig out the Path's Shape Lay out the area for your walkway. The border will help keep your finished pathway intact over time and prevent wash out during heavy rains. Building A Floating Deck Building A Deck Gravel Path Wood Pathway Wooden Walkways Pallet Walkway Pathway Ideas Outdoor Walkway Lawn And Garden. Step 2: Indicate Edge Location. A paver walkway can add an attractive touch to your landscape.