How to Lay Stepping Stones When Gardening

Join one backyard area to another with a stepping stone path.

Stepping stones can provide a smooth and easily-navigated pathway through a landscape. A garden pathway adds ornamental interest, character and charm to the cottage garden. Pathways lined with stepping stones can join one area of the garden to another, or can help direct traffic around a greenhouse or to a sheltered gazebo. Stepping stones add formal structure and function. Following simple directions, it's easy to lay an attractive garden stepping stone walkway.

Things You'll Need

• Stepping stones
• Gloves
• Rope
• Garden hose
• Shovel
• Trowel
• Level
• Sand or crushed rock

Instructions

1. Choose the stepping stones. You may purchase stones at landscape stores or building supply centers, or wander in nature and harvest your own stones. Explore lake shores or stream beds to find stones of similar shape and thickness. Choose stones at least 12 inches across for firm footing as you walk in the garden.

2. Lay out your design by placing rope or garden hose in two parallel lines to define either a straight or curved pathway. Rather than going directly from one point to another, allow the path to wander, inviting visitors to stop at garden benches or points of visual interest.

3. Lay out the stepping stones, positioning them between the parallel lines. Most people have a stride of about 18 inches, so install the garden stepping stones about that far apart.

4. Leave the stepping stones in place and use a garden trowel to dig around each stone, marking its shape and location. Set the stones to the side of the path and use a shovel or trowel to excavate the designated space for each stone. Leave the flat side of the stone turned upward and the remainder of the stone buried in the soil so the stone is about 1/2 inch above the surface. Use a carpenter's level to make sure the stones are all the same height.

5. Pour about 1/2 inch of sand or finely-crushed gravel in the bottom of each hole. Position the stone, packing and shifting it in the sand so it sits level and flat. Position the remainder of the stones in the same manner. After the stones are in position, pour more sand around them to make the pathway level. Sprinkle thoroughly with water to allow the sand to settle. Add more sand if needed to create a level pathway. If desired, a low-growing ground cover may be planted between the stones. Irish moss, sedum or creeping thyme makes an attractive complement to garden stepping stones.

References

• PlantCare.com: Stepping Stones For Your Garden