How to Landscape With Strip Stone

You can use strip stone to build raised beds and retaining walls.

Strip stone is usually cut from flagstone and is a viable lawn edging option for your front or backyard. According to Texas A&M AriLife Extension, using strip stone can help you build strong landscaping structures that will withstand busy foot traffic. These stones are some of the easiest that you can use to make your lawn edging because they are cut in a block shape that install similar to bricks.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Spray chalk
• Shovel
• Wheelbarrow
• Rake
• Trowel
• Level tool
• Stone strips
• Rubber mallet.
• Dry mortar and sand mix
• Broom
• Watering can

Instructions

1. Use your hose to make an outline of the shape you want for the lawn edging. Draw the outline with spray chalk. Remove the soil digging it out of the outline only 1-inch deep and placing it into your wheelbarrow.

2. Rake the soil inside the 1-inch deep outline until it is level. Spread a 2-inch layer of sand over the just raked soil. Use your rake to tamp down the sand until it is level.

3. Lay the first row of strip stones into place side by side, pressing them into the sand. Tap each stone firmly into place with your rubber mallet. Use your level to align each stone adding or removing sand to keep each row of stones level.

4. Add new rows of stones placing the stones side by side. Use your rubber mallet to tap each stone and use your level to align the stones adding or removing sand to keep the stones level. Continue adding rows of stones until the edging is complete.

5. Pour the dry mortar mixture onto the rows of strip stone then sweep it into the joints with a broom. Continue pouring the mixture and sweeping until the joints are filled. Sweep off any excess dry mortar with your broom. Use a watering can with small holes in the spout to water the dry mortar mixture in the joints until it is wet to the touch. Let the mortar dry and set completely following manufacturer's directions.

Tips & Warnings

• The sand and stone edging will keep grass from growing and you won't have to edge the lawn.

• You can add extra layers of stone to the edging to give it a raised bed look.

References

• Family Handyman: The Best Garden Bed Edging Tips
• Green Fingers: Building and Laying - How to Install a Mowing Strip
• Texas A&M AriLife Extension: Building a Raised Bed Garden