June 22nd, 2023 by Shauna Hammond

If you are looking for a way to revive your garden or add more of your own personality to your outdoor space without undertaking a big project that can put your garden out of commission for the whole summer – then why not look into creating your own DIY garden path? It is a much easier job than you think and is a great way to inject your own style into your garden and create an eye-catching centrepiece for either your front or back yard. In this blog, we will discuss some tips and what to consider before you get started.

Making Your Own Path

We will first look at what to consider when making your own garden path from scratch. As mentioned earlier this is much easier than you may have originally thought, but there are still a few things you need to consider:

Step 1 - Plan

Before getting started on making your new garden path there are a few things you will first need to consider such as materials, cost, space, design etc. So, before you even begin we recommend sitting down and taking the time to place out what it is you want to achieve. That way you can then start by making a list of things you’ll need – the most common material required with be:

·        Gravel or stepping stones

·        Rubber mallet

·        Measuring tape

·        Shovel

·        String and stakes for marking the area

·        Tarp or lining

·        Plants, flowers, and other decorative items for your garden path design.

Step 2 – Mark Out the Area

Once you have your plan ready and your material to hand it’s time to start by marking out the area – you should already have an idea of where this going to go from your plan already but to ensure that everything stays straight and even we recommend using string stakes to mark out the area where the path will go, this will give you a guideline to work with while also giving you a better idea of if the path will fit correctly or if you will need to make any changes to the position before beginning.

Step 3 – Prepare the Base

Once the area has been clearly marked out it’s time to start preparing the base, this base will be slightly different depending on what kind of garden path you have decided to go with – stepping stones or gravel are the easiest options usually and if you can decide between the two why not try a combination of both!

If you plan on creating a gravel pathway you will first need to begin by digging out the previously marked route by creating a trench that is a couple of centimetres deep. Once you have shovelled out the trench then use your shovel to pat down the surface to make it as flat as possible, now it is important to lay down a permeable membrane as this will prevent gravel from being pressed into the soil over time as they are walked over we recommend using landscape fabric for this as it is long-lasting so you do not need to worry about it deteriorating too quickly.

Likewise, if you are planning to lay stepping stones, then you will need to create a sturdy base to prevent the slab from sinking over time. There are a couple of ways you can go around this but the most popular is to create a sand base. There are a couple of methods that you can use to do this and depending on how you plan to lay out your stepping stones will affect which of these methods is most practical. If you are wanting to create a traditional stepping stone bath with spacing between each slab then rather than digging one big trench you will need to dig individual slots. Mark around where each slab will go to ensure you are digging a large enough space then compact the area with sand as this will create a sturdy and more even base for concrete slabs – alternatively if you want to create a continuous stone path using slabs you can follow the same method as gravel and opt for landscape fabric or sand depending on your preference.

Step 4 – Add the Top Layer

Once you have your base set up it is time to start laying your top layer – with gravel this is nice a simple just pour your selected gravel to fill the trench, use a rake to spread the stones evenly and be sure to fill any gaps – any gravel left over can be kept to refill when stones begin to reduce in number over time.

When applying your slabs, once they have been placed ensure that they are fitted securely into the previously dug-out slots so that they don’t cause any lips that can cause you to possibly trip. You should also use a rubber mallet to compact the slabs into the sand or fabric – this is important as it will ensure the slabs do not shift while you are walking on them.

Step 5 – Add Your Final Touches

Once you have your gravel and slabs in place and they feel secure. Tidy up any edges that may have excess fabric sticking out and then begin adding your desired final touches. If you are looking to create a colourful and more vibrant entrance from your garden to your home then why not try lining the edges of your new build path with some flowers – try lower maintenance flowers that will bloom for most of the year such as Dahlias or Penstemons. Alternatively, if you are not the most green-fingered and are worried about maintaining flowers all year round then you can liven up your new path by adding some solar-powered lights and other decorations at the beginning and end of your pathway – this is when you get to really inject your own style into your garden, so there are no restrictions just simply choose something that appeals to you!

Revitalising an Old Path

Now if you already have a pathway in your garden, but it has begun to look tired, dirty or you feel like it just doesn’t quite speak for your own sense of aesthetic as you would like it to then we will take a look at some ways you can revive them and get it looking like new in no time at all!

Refreshing A Gravel Path

Gravel paths can be a little easier to refresh, as you can incorporate some different coloured pebbles and stones into your existing gravel to refresh the colour or to make it more colourful.

Clean Stone Slabs

Stepping stones and concrete slabs can start to lose their colour over time, after all, they spend years exposed to the elements and being walked over and sometimes it may seem that even using a pressure washer is not enough to bring back the previous vibrant colour. There are ways however to get them looking like new again, without incurring the high price of completely replacing the stone slabs.

In order to revitalise these tired-looking slabs, you need the right products such as black spot remover or patio cleaner. This will then deeply clean and remove stains, algae or blackspot – these things can be incredibly difficult without using the right kinds of products however, with the right kinds of products they can be easily invigorated. Even a small change like this can make a big difference to the overall appearance and feel of your pavement.

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Add Flowers or Decorations

Finally, you can also give your path a new look by adding some additional decorations or colours around your pavement to add more of your own personality and brighten up the area. Adding flowers, solar lights or other ornaments can help to create a whole new feel to the area.

So, there we have some tips for creating your own DIY path – it’s a great way to brighten up your garden and add a more personal touch. It’s a great starting point for those looking to venture into the world of DIY since it can become as simple and complicated as you want. The important thing to remember is to have fun and create something that suits your taste!