How to Make a Wood Chip Path

You don't need expensive pavers or bricks to create a good-looking garden path. Wood chips are way more affordable and make for a more natural-looking path. Here's how to do it so the wood chips stay in place.

Materials

• Newspapers
• Wood chips
• Stones (optional)

Tools

• Shovel

Step 1: Secure a Supply of Wood Chips

If you or a neighbor has a chipper-shredder, stockpile chips, but for no more than a year (they'll start to break down). Or check with your city or county manager's office. Shredded wood chips are often available for little or no cost from local landfills, as long as you haul them. Alternatively, if you have an ample supply of pine needles or tiny or crushed sea shells in your area, collect those to line the path.

Step 2: Excavate the Area

For the best results, excavate the soil to about one inch deep wherever you want to lay the path. This will keep the wood chips from shifting. The path should be at least 18 inches wide, or 36 inches if you'd like two people to be able to walk next to each other. The ground doesn't need to be completely level or smooth, but the soil should be compacted to create a solid base.

Step 3: Line With Newspapers

Line the bottom of the path with several layers of newspapers. In a couple of years, they'll break down but in the meantime, they'll prevent weeds from taking hold.

Step 5: Fill Path

Fill in the papered area with mulch, trying to spread an even layer throughout. The layer should be an inch or two thick to prevent the newspaper below from peeking through as the mulch shifts underfoot.

Optional: Line the Path With Stones

If you'd like, and if they're readily available, use stones to line the path. They'll add a finished look and will further prevent the wood chips from shifting.