In this video I’ll show you how to build a DIY gravel patio and create a gas fire pit seating are with POLYWOOD chairs. I’ll also show how I created a D.G. (decomposed granite) and gravel pathway with steel landscape edging. Well at this is how I built mine and it’s working great! In addition to the video I’ve outlined the entire process below and will keep it updated with answers and explanations to frequently asked questions.
PATIO
1. Excavate down 6 inches.
2. Add rich soil to the boarder for planting later.
3. Cover patio area with landscaping fabric.
4. Add steel edging or plastic bender board to the patio boarder. A taut string tied to two stakes helps to mark any strait lines. I used this for the pathway edge.
5. Add 4 inches of road base (crushed rock) to the entire patio are, then level and compact it.
6. Next I added one inch of decomposed granite and compacted that. This could be the final step if you want want a D.G. patio, but I used this layer as a base for the final layer.
7. Finish the patio with a 1” layer of gravel for which I used my personal favorite – Sonoma Gold Pathfines. Pathfines hold in place
better than pea gravel, but they don’t get muddy like D.G. Does. This stuff is awesome.
My pathfines source: https://www.gohasties.com/product/sonoma-gold-pathfines/
CHAIRS
These POLYWOOD Adirondack chairs might just be my favorite part of this patio. POLYWOOD makes amazing outdoor furniture out of landfill-bound, and ocean-bound plastics! Not only are they comfortable and beautiful, but they are also extremely durable and come with a 20 year warranty, yes 20 YEARS! Oh, and free delivery in the U.S.! I highly recommend these chairs.
THE CHAIRS: https://bit.ly/2HpkMZF
FIRE PIT
You’re probably wondering where I got this fire pit – I was fortunate to find it as a damaged item on Overstock a got it for a major discount. I wish you luck in your search.
I knew I wanted a gas fire pit, but it was way to expensive to plumb gas all the way to this spot, so I opted for the propane fire bowl which is a delicious I am very pleased with, especially after concealing the gas line in PVC pipe that I painted with Gorilla glue then covered with gravel. I concealed the tank under a hollow plastic rock that I found in the irrigation section of my local nursery.
FIRE PIT LINKS: These are NOT the fire pit that I used, but they look similar:
1. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JZZU8QG/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylehagerurba-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01JZZU8QG&linkId=b69343847e51dddd7fb36d701e8bb5dd
2. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N01N50Z/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=kylehagerurba-20&camp=1789&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B01N01N50Z&linkId=8055501c4a28f66419d27f8d66e4ea44
Propane Tank Cover: https://amzn.to/3ghpkjo
Plants
-Cousin It plant
-Coffeeberry
-Western Sward Fern
Fertilizer
E.B. Stone Organics Sure Start
GARDEN PRODUCTS I USE: https://www.amazon.com/shop/urbanfarmstead
Irrigation Video
https://youtu.be/yDedR-GErUk
FOLLOW ME ON:
Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/urbanfarmstead/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theurbanfarmstead/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@urbanfarmstead?source=h5_m
FAQs:
Ask and you shall receive
Q: Why all of the layers? Are they really necessary?
A: For my space and vision these layers were the best way to achieve my goals. The base rock layer is important for stability and drainage. As for the layers above that – I I stated in the video you could finish with the DG layer if you want a DG patio, but in that case I would apply a 2” layer of DG. You could also skip the DG and just do a 2” layer of pathfines, but they cost twice as much as the DG which was the main reason I did 1” DG first.
Music
Golden Crates Adobe Stock licensed Dusty Decks/Epidemic Sound
Lo-fi-hip-hop Adobe Stock licensed Flashinmusic/Hamendo
Willow-Trees Adobe Stock licensed Guustavv/Epidemic Sound
About as extra as it gets you can do something way easier and for a lot less money. Will look just as good
Did you do anything in particular up against the fence? Also aside from the slope towards the lawn, what about drainage?
How much was this budget of yours?
Wow! Amazing job 🙂
That was incredible; a joy to watch the process 😀
Awesome video! The music sounded out of tune and thus i had to mute you. Ive only been at 1 propane pit and the smell of gas was bad. Did you do anything to make the gas smell tolerable?
Does the top layer of gravel ever get stuck in your shoes and dragged into the house like DG?
LOVE UR VIDEO ..COME DO MY BACK YARD NEXT HAH HAH
Hello! I’m planning on doing a gravel patio just as big or a little smaller this patio shown on the video. Can you tell me how much was the cost for it? Thank you!!
Can u just come over n hook me up?
Wow! That this is beautiful! How much the cost with this project?
i want those chairs but there so expensiveeeeee
Great job. I'm looking to do something similar to my patio now with DG. When I look for DG at landscape supply places they point to path fines as the same thing. Is there a difference?
Also, I could only get as deep as 4 inches until I hit roots and larger rocks. Is it sufficient to do 1-2" of road base and then 2" of DG or path fines?
Won’t the fruit on that tree be affected by the fire?
I like the PVC pipe trick for even layering! Thanks for the helpful video. 🙂 Your patio looks great.
Where did you get the fire pit!??? Great video!
It’s beautiful, clean, and well crafted. Great job! Approximately how much did this project cost to build and how long did it take to complete?
Nice Project
In the guide you mention to excavate 6 inches. How do you did that? I really dont know too much about it. I do have an area of my patio that I wanna try this; however, this area is really uneven an bumpy. It basically has a large hole where water sits when it rains too much. My original plan was to cover it up with fill dirt, bit now I see that for this project your recommend excavating 6 inches. In my case what could be the best plan of action?
Thank you in advance!
Hi, where did you purchase your concrete fire bowl?
Great
This was such a relaxing video to watch lol great work.
Wow! What a beautiful look! I'm curious though, can my kids go barefoot on the gravel or are there sharp edges that will require shoes? Thanks!
Never heard of Crush and Run before…THANK YOU! I'm working on a DIY renovation, originally done 30 years ago. It's a large yard and huge task and doing it as frugally as possible is almost as important as making it beautiful, dog-friendly and long lasting.
Edit: Is there anything you'd have done differently? Another thing…does any of that much smaller gold top gravel you use, make it into the house by way of your dog's paws???
I need that fire pit!
Wow! what a great job! What kind of gravel is that? That's exactly what I want for my small garden.
Weak af
Any trouble with oranges falling into the pit? Beautiful project.