How do I install a river rock walkway?

Dee Nash
by Dee Nash

I want to make a river rock bed on the side of my house where the grass always looks terrible and put succulent plants along the sides and brick paver walkway down the center. How do I determine where to buy the rocks, how to remove the grass, prevent weeds from growing through and how many rocks I need?

  4 answers
  • Kathy Gunter Law Kathy Gunter Law on Sep 19, 2018

    Check out this Hometalk project:


    https://www.hometalk.com/diy/outdoor/walkways-paths/rock-walkway-3677654

  • Fantastic idea! Savvy shopping can make this happen. Flip through your yellow pages or Google for quarries or landscaping supply houses, not big box home improvement centers. A place where you purchase in bulk, far less expensive. In my area they sell by the "scoop" or ton. Visit all of them and see what you like and compare prices as they can vary widely. River rock is sold by size, the larger the size, the higher the price.


    Measure the area you wish to cover and they can calculate how much rock you will need. Make yourself a sketch and insert accurate measurements. Otherwise you either will be short or purchase far too much product. And they do not take it back.


    Determine your walkway material. Stone? Brick? Cement stepping stones? Determine width on each side of walkway you want the river rock. Insert these measurements into your sketch.


    You can kill the grass with vinegar, cover with black plastic and let it die then dig out or rent a sod cutter to remove the grass. Any tool rental will have what you need.


    Use a premium grade landscape fabric for two reasons. One weed control and two, from having your river rock sink into the soil and disappear over time.


    Here are some options on laying a path.


    https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-create-a-path-in-your-yard-with-stepping-stones/


    https://www.hgtv.com/design/outdoor-design/landscaping-and-hardscaping/how-to-build-a-stone-path


    https://www.familyhandyman.com/masonry/build-a-brick-pathway-in-the-garden/view-all/


    If you have any questions, just ask! Have fun! 🔨

  • Ken Erickson Ken Erickson on Sep 19, 2018

    Remove the grass by either renting a sod cutter or digging it out with a shovel since you need to dig down for your path anyway.

    Line your pathway with landscape fabric to help prevent weeds if you want - it may not be necessary.

    Look in the yellow pages for rock suppliers or check with a nursery for rocks and your plants. Measure your path width and length and depth. Multiply together to get cubic measure and convert to yards. The rock supplier can determine home much you need. You will probably only need about 1 yard and taking it home in a pickup is always cheaper than delivery.

  • Dee Nash Dee Nash on Sep 19, 2018

    Thank you! It doesn’t sound as difficult as I thought!