How to Make a Natural Staircase to a Garden

Natural stones create a natural staircase to provide easy access to your garden.

Accessing a garden that is uphill or downhill in the landscape may prove difficult if a staircase is not in place. Stones create a natural staircase that blends seamlessly with the surrounding plants. For maximum stability, the stones should be as thick as the desired rise of each stair, usually between 8 and 10 inches high. Stones that are slightly wider than the desired staircase are easy to anchor to the hillside, but you can use smaller stones placed side by side. Purchase pre-cut stones from a builder supplier or quarry if you can't find the proper sized stones in nature.

Things You'll Need

• Digging tools
• Level
• Groundcover plants or moss

Instructions

1. Dig out the area for the first stone at the base of the hill and check that it is level. The flattest side of the stone will face up, so dig out extra soil to compensate for raised parts on the bottom side of the stone. Dig the hill out wide enough to accommodate the entire stone, even if you're using stones that are slightly wider than the desired path width.

2. Set the stone in place flat side up and check for level. Add or remove soil from under the stone as needed and pack the soil tight around the bottom edges.

3. Dig out the hill to make room for the second step; dig it out so the soil is level with the previous laid stone.

4. Set the second stone in place in the graded area so that the front slightly overlaps the back of the previous stone. Continue digging the hillside and placing the next stone step until you've reached the top of the hill.

5. Pack extra soil firmly into the cracks between the steps. If the stones are wider than the desired path, cover the extra length at each end with 3 to 4 inches of soil.

6. Plant groundcover, moss or other plants in the soil on either side of the stone staircase to prevent erosion. You may also grow small plants in any other crevice with exposed soil.

7. Add a handrail, if desired, using rustic wooden posts and rails to contribute to the natural feel of the staircase.

Tips & Warnings

• You can also place smaller rocks under the steps to level and balance unlevel stones.

References

• University of Minnesota: Constructing Flagstone Steps in the Landscape