A pea gravel patio can add a stylish, low-maintenance touch to your backyard. The smooth pebbles create a textured look that works with a variety of landscaping styles. Building a pea gravel patio yourself is also an affordable DIY project that creates a space to relax or entertain. With some planning, material gathering, base preparation and finishing touches, you can create a beautiful and lasting pea gravel patio.

Selecting the Location

Choosing where to build your pea gravel patio is an important first step. Consider these factors when picking a spot:

Sunlight – A pea gravel patio can work in shady or sunny spots, but you may want afternoon shade in warmer climates. Pay attention to where sunlight hits your yard throughout the day.
Drainage – Good drainage is key so water does not pool on the patio. Choose a naturally elevated spot or prepare the base to slope slightly away from buildings. Avoid low areas or dips where water collects.
Access – Pick a location near a door or walkway to easily access the patio. Having an outdoor electrical outlet nearby is also convenient for lighting or music.
Views – Think about your vantage points from the patio. Frame attractive garden beds, landscapes or other features with your pea gravel space.
Size – Decide how large you want the patio, factoring in space needed for furnishings, traffic flow and activities. Allow ample room around the perimeter edges.
Utilities – Check whether any underground pipes, wires or other utilities run where you plan to excavate. Adjust the location to avoid disruption.

Choose your spot wisely as you will be putting time and money into building your pea gravel oasis! Location plays a big role in functionality and enjoyment of the space.

Gathering Materials and Tools

Constructing a pea gravel patio requires some specific materials and tools. Having everything ready ahead of time makes the installation process smooth and efficient.

Materials

Pea gravel – This small, rounded gravel comes in a natural gray/tan color. Purchase enough to fill your patio space at a depth of at least 2 inches.
Landscaping fabric – Use a breathable, porous fabric to line the excavated area and contain the pea gravel. Buy heavy-duty fabric suited for gravel.
Edging – Edging keeps the pea gravel neatly contained. Choose plastic, metal, stone, concrete or wood edging based on style preference.
Base material – Crushed stone or gravel forms a compactable base layer under the pea gravel for stability.
Stakes and staples – Stakes and metal staples anchor the landscaping fabric in place at the edges.
Sand – An optional layer of coarse sand or paver base between the sub-base and landscaping fabric can improve drainage.

Tools

Shovels and excavation tools – Use a pointed shovel, spade, pick axe or garden trowel to excavate and level the area.
Wheelbarrow – A wheelbarrow makes moving materials like gravel and dirt easy.
Leveling rake – A straight rake evens out the layers of base material and pea gravel.
Broom – Use a stiff broom to sweep the finished pea gravel surface.
Gloves – Sturdy work gloves protect your hands while excavating, moving gravel and handling edging.
Stakes and mallet – Pound stakes into the ground around the perimeter with a rubber mallet to hold the edging and fabric.
Tape measure – Measure as you go to ensure your patio surface and base layers are the proper depth and dimensions.

Gathering all the right materials and tools ahead of time makes installing a pea gravel patio much more efficient. Check tasks off your list as you collect everything you need.

Excavating and Grading the Area

Once you have your materials and tools ready, it is time to start digging! Proper excavation and grading creates a solid foundation for your pea gravel patio. Follow these key steps:

Mark the boundaries for your patio with stakes and string. Allow 8-12 inches of space between the string boundary and any permanent structures or plants to prevent spreading.
Use the pointed shovel, spade or pick axe to dig out and level the area to a depth of 4-6 inches. Slope the surface slightly away from buildings for drainage.
Use a garden rake to smooth and grade the leveled soil, eliminating any bumps or dips. Compact the soil with a hand tamper.
Add a 2-4 inch layer of crushed stone/gravel base over the graded, compacted soil. Shovel and rake this layer smooth and even.
For enhanced drainage, add a 1 inch layer of coarse paver sand or drainage material on top of the crushed stone base layer before installing the fabric.
Check the excavated area with a level as you work and measure the depth frequently to ensure an even surface.

Properly digging, grading and leveling the patio’s sub-base creates the right foundation. This step makes a big difference in how well your finished pea gravel patio performs. Invest time upfront to do it right!

Laying and Securing the Landscaping Fabric

Landscaping fabric controls weeds and keeps the pea gravel contained within your patio area. Here is the best way to install it:

Unroll the landscaping fabric over the prepared base. Allow 8-12 inches of excess to wrap around the perimeter edging.
Cut the fabric to fit the area with scissors, leaving the extra length around the edges.
Secure the outer 2-3 inches of fabric against the edging trench with stakes every 12 inches. Hammer stakes flush with the fabric.
Fold the extra length of fabric over the edging and into the perimeter trench. Cut diagonal corner slits at the corners to fold neatly.
Place straightened metal stakes or staples every 4-6 inches around the inner part of the trench to further keep the fabric in place.

The landscaping fabric should now be tightly secured around the edges and pulled flat across the surface of the patio with no creases or folds. Trim off any excess.

Installing Edge Barriers

Installing edge barriers around the perimeter finishes the pea gravel patio’s basic structure. Edge barriers prevent the gravel from spreading. Here are some edging options:

Plastic or Metal Landscape Edging

Dig narrow trenches along the outline of the patio to install landscape edging. Dig trenches 6 inches deep by 6 inches wide.
Place sections of edging into the trenches, leaving 1-2 inches exposed above ground level. Overlap pieces and connect with provided connectors or stakes.
Backfill the trenches so soil presses firmly against the edges. Compact the refilled trenches with a hand tamper.

Stone or Concrete Pavers

Dig a trench the width of the pavers (often 2 inches). Depth should equal the paver thickness.
Fill the trench with a thin layer of gravel for drainage, then sand to level and stabilize.
Place and level paver edging, leaving 1/2 inch above ground level. Use a rubber mallet to secure.
Backfill behind the edging with soil. Pack tightly. Repeat with more pavers until edging is complete.

Pressure-Treated Wood

Align boards end-to-end around patio perimeter. Use 2×4 or 2×6-inch boards.
Screw boards together at corners and joints with 3-4 inch exterior screws.
Drive wooden stakes behind the boards every 2-3 feet to hold wood edging in place. Leave 1 inch of board exposed.

Choose edge barriers that complement the style and existing landscaping of your yard. Edging keeps the pea gravel neatly contained within your patio space.

Spreading and Leveling the Pea Gravel

Now comes the fun part – spreading and raking the pea gravel! Follow these tips for best results:

Use a wheelbarrow to dump pea gravel across the surface, starting at one end. Spread gravel 2-3 inches deep, aiming for uniform depth.
Use a straight garden rake to move gravel into corners and edges. Create a slight crown shape with a 1/4 inch higher center for optimal drainage.
Use the backside of the rake to gently tamp down gravel as you spread. Compact lightly, but do not overpack.
Check for low or high spots with a level. Add or remove gravel as needed to maintain consistent 2-3 inch depth across the entire patio.
Sweep gravel with a stiff broom once leveling is complete. Focus on smoothing the surface and evening out textures or ridges in the pea gravel.
Repeat light tamping, sweeping, and leveling until you achieve the desired smoothed surface. Careful attention here prevents dips or shifts later.

Take your time with this step to get the pea gravel just right. Patiently shape, sweep and hand-tamp the gravel into a pleasing, level surface.

Finishing Touches

Apply these finishing touches after spreading the main pea gravel layer:

Second gravel layer – For extra stability, add a thin 1/2 inch layer of smaller pea gravel over the main base layer. Sweep and tamp to level.
Decomposed granite – Blend in a 1/4 inch layer of decomposed granite for a firmer, bonded surface. Wet and compact with a hand tamper as you spread.
Polymeric sand – Sprinkle this sand over the surface per package instructions. Spray lightly with water to set the polymers that solidify the pea gravel.
Edging trench filler – Use leftover pea gravel or small cobbles to fill the perimeter edging trenches for a polished, finished look.

Take time with the final details and flourishes. Well-executed finishing steps help your DIY pea gravel patio look professionally installed.

Caring for Your Pea Gravel Patio

Keep your patio looking pristine with simple maintenance:

Remove leaves, debris or weeds promptly before they get buried or take root in the gravel.
Add fresh pea gravel to low spots or edges to maintain consistent coverage as gravel settles or shifts over time. A leaf blower helps redistribute pea gravel as needed.
Control weed growth with vinegar spray or manual removal. Reapply polymeric sand annually.
Prevent erosion on sloped patios with gravel retention borders or drainage tiles along the low side. Refill washouts after heavy rains.
Periodically smooth, sweep and rake the entire surface to refresh the clean pea gravel texture and appearance.
Resecure any shifted fabric or edging right away to prevent further spreading.
Consider temporary patio carpet squares to define sitting areas on loose gravel surfaces.
Reseal or replace wooden edging as needed to keep the structure sound.

With routine care and maintenance, a pea gravel patio will provide many years of outdoor living and entertainment. Keep up with minor repairs and it will maintain its clean, stylish look.

Common Questions About Pea Gravel Patios

Interested in more pea gravel patio facts? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions:

How deep should a pea gravel patio be?

Aim for an overall depth of 4-6 inches: 2-4 inches of crushed stone base plus a 2-3 inch layer of pea gravel on top.

What kind of gravel is best for a patio?

Pea gravel is the top choice because the small, rounded stones create an even surface that is comfortable for walking barefoot yet still allows drainage.

How do you attach pea gravel to concrete?

Adhere pea gravel to concrete with a thinset mortar specially formulated to bond with smooth stones. Spread mortar on the bare concrete, set rocks and fill joints with more mortar.

Can you put pea gravel over dirt?

It is not recommended. Dirt is too loose and will get mixed into the gravel. Install fabric over a gravel base layer instead for better containment.

How do you keep gravel from spreading?

Sturdy edging barriers like pavers, plastic, metal, wood or concrete curbing keep gravel contained. Heavier grades of landscaping fabric also help minimize shifting or sinking.

Should anything be put under pea gravel?

Yes, install a compacted base layer of crushed stone mixed with dirt before the landscaping fabric and pea gravel for the most stable patio structure.

How do you join two pea gravel patios?

If two pea gravel patios meet, remove edging between them and use a grade/rake to blend the two gravel sections seamlessly. Add matching pea gravel as needed for a consistent surface.

Can you pressure wash a pea gravel patio?

Yes, you can use a pressure washer on pea gravel. Choose a fan-tip nozzle and keep water pressure below 500 PSI. Work slowly to avoid displacing stones.

How do you get weeds out of a pea gravel patio?

Manual removal, vinegar spraying, or gravel-safe herbicides can control weeds. Landscaping fabric inhibits growth. Adding polymeric sand also helps suppress weeds long-term.

How do you clean pea gravel?

Sweep often with a stiff broom. For deep cleaning, you can pressure wash pea gravel on low pressure or rent a powerful leaf blower to blow debris from between pebbles.

Pea gravel patios have unique care needs. Following best practices keeps your patio looking its best for many years.

Conclusion

With proper planning, quality materials and good construction techniques, you can create a pea gravel patio to enhance your landscape. Pay close attention to excavation, grading, drainage and edging for a stable foundation that lasts. Choose pea gravel for the most comfortable finished surface underfoot. Accent with decorative flourishes to complement your yard’s style. Maintain your DIY patio routinely and it will provide an elegant yet relaxed outdoor living space for years of enjoyment.

How to Build a Pea Gravel Patio