DIY Garden Path tutorial with slabs and resin-bound gravel

Looking for cheap DIY garden path ideas? Check this DIY garden path out!

Creating a beautiful garden path in your outdoor space is a great way to add visual interest and make your garden more accessible. Whether you’re looking for cheap DIY garden path ideas or planning a winding gravel path through flower beds or a vegetable garden, this project can be tailored to pretty much any skill level.
I’m going to show you how I created my DIY resin-bound path using Vuva DIY resin kits and slabs from B&Q.  Far from being a path-laying expert (I’ve laid two in my life and both were in the last month!) this post is more of a here’s how I did it if you’re looking for some budget garden DIY inspiration but be sure to do your own research for your property.
Before I could get on with laying the DIY pathway, I had the unpleasant job of lifting the rotten decking that was in the way. I shared a reel on Instagram of this process which is quite satisfying to watch but was hard work to do. Once the old decking was up, I inspected the base beneath it and was happy to see there was weed membrane, sand and a stony sub-base that looked like ballast or MOT type 1. I didn’t think that the base was deep enough for the slabs and resin-bound gravel I planned to lay on top, so I ordered a bulk bag of MOT-type one-path base from Travis Perkins to top it up.  

Materials Needed for this DIY garden path project 

1. Garden slabs/paving stones – I used these from B&Q
2. Gravel – I used this Coshel gravel from the Vuba DIY resin kits
3. 4 bricks (these were only used to weigh down the marker line, so it could be anything heavy). 
4. String
5. Spade/shovel
6. Wheelbarrow – I bought this one from Amazon
7. Tape measure
8. Spirit level
9. Rubber mallet
10. Rake
11. Weed barrier/landscape fabric
12. Hardcore (MOT Type 1) or crushed stone (for sub-base) we used this one from Travis Perkins
13. Roughneck steel tamper or wacker plate – I bought this one from Amazon
14. Concrete or slab layer
15. Vuba DIY resin kits
16. Paddle mixer for the DIY resin kits
17. 2 clean empty buckets (1 large enough to mix 25kg of stones)
18. Flooring trowel to spread the DIY resin kits

Step 1: Prepare the Ground

Clear the Area: Remove any grass, plants, and roots where your garden pathway will go. If your garden has poor drainage, this is a good time to address it. Excavate the Path: Experts recommend that you dig out the path area to a depth of about 100-150mm (4-6 inches). This will provide enough space for the sub-base, sand, and path materials like stepping stones or smaller stones. For areas with heavy foot traffic, a deeper base may be necessary. As I mentioned, I had a base in place but as it was only a few cm deep so I removed any leftover remnants of the decking and any rubbish that had fallen between the boards. 

Step 2: Lay the Sub-Base

Laying the sub-base comprises two steps: firstly, adding the bulk material and then compacting it. First, a layer of hardcore (MOT Type 1) or crushed stone should be spread over the excavated area. I used a rake to spread the wheelbarrow loads that Mr D brought up from the bulk bag that was delivered to the bottom of our garden. Second, compact the sub-base: Use a tamper or a vibrating plate compactor to compact the sub-base. This is essential for a long-lasting & resilient path. I considered renting a wacker plate, but the cost was just too much to justify for this small area, and I was a bit worried about it being so close to the house, especially with all the pipes and drains in the immediate area.
If you opt to lay a second layer on top, you’ll need to add a 20-30mm (¾-1 inch) layer of sharp sand over the compacted sub-base. Then use a rake to spread the sand evenly. Ensure it’s level with a spirit level. I chose not to add another layer of sand,  instead cementing the slabs for security, but more on that in a second. 

Step 3: Position the Slabs

You need to measure the area and decide on the number of slabs and the optimal distance between them. I took the total distance and deducted the length of the 12 slabs (12 x 40cm) from it then divided by 13 to ensure there was an equal gap at each end and between each slab.To lay the slabs, begin placing your garden slabs or stepping stones on the sub-base, ensuring they’re level. Tap them into place with a rubber mallet. As I was creating a stepping stone effect, I tied a piece of string to a brick that I set at one end of the path and ran it all the way to the bottom of the path area where I tied it to another brick. I measured the distance to the sides from the bricks, making sure they were equal and stretched the string very tightly to create a plumb line / string line to lay each slab against. I set a string line for each side of the slabs to ensure there was a point of reference to measure each slab on two sides against.
Once, I was happy with the positioning of the slabs, I mixed up some slablayer concrete in a bucket and scooped out four trowel loads under each slab (one in each corner) before replacing the slab and tapping it with the rubber mallet to remove any air. I checked the slab was level and made sure it was still lined up with both string lines. 

Step 4: Install the DIY resin-bound surface

I recently wrote a detailed post about how to use the DIY resin bound kits, which you can read here. They are brilliant and make the job of laying a gravel and resin path an achievable DIY project which was such a relief.

Here are a summary of the steps as a reminder…

• Set out the tools and materials so you have them to hand.
• Pour the resin parts into a clean bucket, being sure to use every last drop out of the bottles as they have been premeasured. (There are two parts, the resin and a hardener and they activate once mixed). 
• Mix the resin parts together for 90 seconds using an electric mixer, I used a paddle mixing drill attachment which worked really well. 
• Empty a 25kg aggregate bag into another large clean tub
• Pour the combined resin mix over the stones in the bucket and mix for 90 seconds. For this mixing stage I used a heavy duty electric mixer that I bought from Amazon which was brilliant. It’s really important to mix completely. Otherwise, you’ll end up with some stones not being coated in the resin that won’t then bond together to create the cured final surface for the path.
• Tip the contents of the bucket out onto your newly laid sub-base and start spreading the resin-bound stones over a 1m2 area. As well as spreading the stones out over the space, you need to compact them down to create a smooth, flat surface. I used a flat plasterer’s trowel for this job, and it worked really well. 
• Repeat this process for each 1m2 area of your path, being careful to spread the resin-bound stones to the same thickness (15mm). Take care not to get resin on the slabs (I learnt this the hard way!), and wipe it off immediately with a soapy sponge if you do. Otherwise, it will dry to leave a shiny residue. 
• My new path was between my house and our next-door neighbour’s house so I didn’t use any edging as the houses provided an edge to work up to. If you don’t have a natural edge, you’ll need to put some kind of edging down first like I did in my other DIY resin path project. 

DIY resin path maintenance

Another of the benefits of a resin-bound surface is its low ongoing maintenance requirements. All you really need to do is sweep regularly to keep the path clear of debris and occasionally pressure wash if required, taking care not to put the nozzle of the pressure washer too close to the resin-bound surface. 

Where can I buy the resin-bound DIY kits? 

ad info. I used the kits as part of a paid collaboration on social media with Vuba resin products. They have an Amazon store where you can buy the kits. Here’s the link to the Amazon listing. I used the Coshel gravel to match the path I laid in the front garden. 

Are resin-bound gravel paths permeable?

​Another aspect that makes resin-bound paths the best choice is their 100% permeability. The great news is that the resin coats the stones but doesn’t fill the gaps between them so water can still trickle through and into the sub-base below, preventing flooding and puddles. 

DIY garden paths – the slab and resin-bound gravel edit

When it comes to cheap garden path ideas, this DIY project is not only a great solution for creating a beautiful path in your garden, but it’s also an inexpensive way to improve your outdoor space and create a focal point. This would also be an easy way to create a patio – another good idea! With a variety of affordable options and different materials available from your local hardware store or landscape supplier, you can create a garden pathway that’s both functional and aesthetically pleasing. The end result will be a touch of natural beauty that enhances your garden for years to come.