How to Install a Garden Pathway with the Right Tools and Equipment

Whether you’re a first-time homeowner or an established renovator, adding personal touches to your space is always a great idea. And now that spring is in full swing, it’s the perfect time to customize your yard by building a pathway through your garden. 

If you’re looking for a new outdoor project, install a garden pathway. It won’t break the bank, and you can tackle this from start to finish in less than a day. Here’s how to get started: 

Step 1: Routing the Path

Before starting your project, decide how to build the pathway and where you’d like it to lead. Looking for some inspiration? Connect your home to your backyard shed or build a pathway from your backdoor to your vegetable garden, patio or gathering space. The list goes on and on. Whatever you decide, make sure it’s a high traffic area and connects two key points on your property. 

Step 2: Determine the Size and Materials

Before you begin building a pathway, determine how long and wide you want the path to be. When it comes to the width of your pathway, keep it between 36 and 48 inches – enough for two people to walk together at the same time. 

Next, plan out all the tools, equipment and materials you’ll need. To avoid headaches, consider using gravel. Several types of inexpensive gravel are available for purchase at your local The Home Depot®. Common types include crushed gravel, crushed limestone and pea rock. You’ll also need landscaping fabric, bricks to be placed along the perimeter of the path, gloves, a garden trowel, measuring tape, twine and ground stakes. 

Additionally, you can rent the tools you need online from The Home Depot Rental and pick them up at your local store when stocking up on materials. Consider renting these tools before you install a garden path: 

• Sod cutter 
• Vibratory plate compactor 
• Paver saw 
• Wheelbarrow 

Step 3: How to Build a Pathway with an Equipment Rental

If your DIY garden pathway is shaping up to be a big job, rent a Kubota tractor loader backhoe. These are the perfect machines to dig, carry and transport the dirt away from your project area. With the perfect combination of power and performance, this project will be done in no time. 

Don’t worry if you’ve never operated one of our machines before. Use our delivery service – we’ll transport the equipment from the store to your home and our delivery technician will walk you through operation step-by-step. 

Step 4: Building a Pathway

Once you plot the pathway using your ground stakes and twine, begin removing the unwanted grass and dirt using your tractor loader backhoe or sod cutter and wheelbarrow. You can also level the area with the tractor loader backhoe or vibratory plate compactor. 

Next, lay down your landscaping fabric – this prevents weeds from poking through the gravel and keeps soil underneath moist and cool. Once this is complete, you should pour the gravel – using the front bucket of your tractor loader backhoe or wheelbarrow – onto the designated area for the path. 

The last phase is smoothing. With the bucket adjusted so it’s almost level to the ground, you can spread the gravel onto a flat surface. You can also drive in reverse for a nice, smooth surface. If you install a garden pathway that’s smaller in size, use your wheelbarrow to transport and pour the gravel.  

You can also add pavers for more interest and walkability. Lay the pavers, cut to size with a paver saw and place on the pathway. Add some plants, outdoor decorations or flowers and you’re all set! Another DIY project crossed off your list.