The easy path to an instantly refreshed garden

Creating a pathway in your garden might seem like a complicated job that requires a lot of backbreaking work, and expert knowledge. Thankfully, it’s easier than you’d think, and according to Deco-Pak – a Yorkshire based family company that supplies everything you would need to lay paths, driveways, patios and more – there are a ton of benefits when choosing to use gravel over other surfaces.

Avantages to using gravel on your garden paths

• Low maintenance – pressure washing and sweeping not necessary, fewer weeds
• Low cost (value for money)
• Instant impact – a tried and tested way of refreshing any outdoor space
• Added security – the crunchy sound under foot is well known to deter intruders
• Frost proof – ice won’t go between cracks and break up as it might with paving and setts
• Effective drainage – particularly on a very slight slope and with ground control fabric

 

Craig Hall from Deco-Pak says: “You could spend several days and hundreds of pounds, putting in a path made of concrete, paving or tarmac. A gravel path is not only more attractive but it also won’t break your back or budget. Traditionally, decorative aggregate is a path (and driveway) material that takes little skill to install. An afternoon to get it down and you’ll soon have a natural-looking, weed-free way to walk through your perfect landscape.”

Easy how to: Create a luxurious rustic path

Step 1: Choose a relatively flat, low traffic site for your walkway and dig out a path to a depth of 2-4 inches.

Step 2: Place large stones, single file, along both edges. Deco-Pak’s range of boulders and rockery stones, available from garden centres, are ideal for this purpose.

Step 3: You’ll need a permeable landscaping fabric to separate your gravel from the soil beneath – and to suppress weeds. Deco-Pak’s professional grade, heavy duty, Ground Control Fabric (RRP £7.99 for a 10 x 1m roll) is ideal – just ensure there is at least a few inches overlap each side of your path. Tuck the fabric under the stones and you’re ready for the final step!

Step 4: Choose a decorative gravel to lay over the path. Some prefer a round pebble style covering as it is less likely to get compacted, others a more angular and crunchy surface. If you aren’t sure how much gravel to buy – there’s a handy gravel calculator on Deco-Pak’s website: www.deco-pak.dev/gravel-calculator