How Much Concrete for Garden Path?
A concrete garden path is a practical and durable addition to any garden, providing a clean, solid surface that can last for decades with minimal maintenance. For a 5m x 0.9m garden path at 75mm depth, you may need approximately 0.337m³ of concrete, which is equivalent to around 42 x 20kg bags of ready-mix. This guide explains how to plan, excavate, and pour a garden path that drains properly and stays crack-free through frost and summer heat alike.
Planning and Preparation
Plan the route of your path first, marking it out with spray paint or string and pegs. A width of 0.9m to 1.2m is comfortable for a single person, while 1.5m allows two people to walk side by side. Excavate the path to a depth of approximately 150mm (75mm of concrete plus 75mm of compacted sub-base). Install timber or flexible edging to contain the concrete and create clean edges. Ensure the path has a slight crossfall of about 1 in 60 (roughly 15mm across a 900mm wide path) to shed rainwater to one side. Compact the sub-base thoroughly with a plate compactor before pouring.
Mixing Concrete
For this project our estimate suggests around 0.337m³ of concrete. You have two options: use approximately 42 x 20kg bags of ready-mix concrete (such as Blue Circle, Postcrete, or Hanson Multicem), or mix your own using a C20 mix ratio of 1:2:3 by volume. To mix your own, you'll likely need around 92.8kg of Portland cement (4 x 25kg bags), 198kg of sharp sand, and 334.1kg of 20mm gravel aggregate — a total of roughly 625kg of materials. For small batches, mix by hand on a clean board or in a wheelbarrow: combine the dry materials first until the colour is uniform, then gradually add water until the mix holds its shape when squeezed but is still workable. For larger volumes, hire a cement mixer — a half-bag (electric) mixer handles most DIY jobs and costs around £25-35 per day from tool hire shops. Avoid adding too much water, as this weakens the finished concrete significantly.
Pouring Technique
Pour the concrete into the formwork in sections of about 2-3 metres at a time, working along the path from one end to the other. Level each section with a screed board resting on the edging. For a non-slip finish on a garden path, drag a stiff broom across the surface once it has started to firm up but before it fully sets. This creates a brushed texture that provides excellent grip in wet weather and frost. Cut control joints every 2-3 metres using a jointing tool or a piece of thin timber pressed into the fresh concrete to a depth of about 25mm. These joints control where the slab cracks as it shrinks during curing, keeping any cracks neat and hidden.
Weather Considerations
Avoid pouring your path in very hot weather (above 25°C), as the concrete will set too quickly and may crack from rapid moisture loss. Dampen the sub-base before pouring and shade the area if possible. In cold weather, ensure temperatures will remain above 3°C for at least 48 hours after pouring. Frost damage to fresh concrete is irreversible and will result in a flaky, weak surface. Cover the path with insulating blankets or straw if a cold snap is forecast. Wind can dry out the surface of fresh concrete surprisingly quickly, so work on a calm day if possible. If it is breezy, cover completed sections with polythene as you go to retain moisture for proper curing.
Curing Times
A garden path can be walked on lightly after 24-48 hours, but avoid heavy loads such as wheelbarrows full of soil for at least 7 days. The concrete will reach its full design strength after 28 days. During the first week, keep the surface damp by covering with polythene or misting with water daily. This is particularly important for paths, as the thin slab has a high surface-area-to-volume ratio and dries out faster than thicker pours. Remove the formwork after 24-48 hours and backfill along the edges with soil or gravel. If any small surface cracks appear during the first few days, they are usually cosmetic shrinkage cracks and will not affect the structural integrity of the path.
Estimated Cost
Prices for concrete materials in the UK vary by region and supplier. Using ready-mix bags, approximately 42 x 20kg bags may cost around £168-£252 at typical retail prices of £4-6 per bag. If you mix your own, the individual materials may cost roughly £95-£147 (cement £20-£32 for 4 x 25kg bags, sharp sand £35-£55 for 1 bulk bag, aggregate £40-£60 for 1 bulk bag). For a job this size, mixing your own concrete from bulk materials may be significantly cheaper than buying individual ready-mix bags. Consider ordering a bulk bag (dumpy bag) of sand and aggregate from a local builders’ merchant for the best price. If you need to hire a cement mixer, expect to pay £25-35 per day from most tool hire companies. A wheelbarrow, shovel, and spirit level are also essential tools you may need to buy or borrow.