How to Lay a Fieldstone Patio

Traditionally, fieldstones were excavated to make walls and buildings.

Fieldstones are just that: stones from fields. They are uncut and unfinished so select those that have at least one relatively flat side and some sort of shape to them when you go to the stone yard. Using fieldstones for a patio installation will result in a less-formal look. A fieldstone patio will not be as flat or smooth as a flagstone or a patio made from paving bricks, so take that into account if you wish to install a patio for everyday dining, or something else that would benefit from a flat surface.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose
• Wooden stakes
• String
• Spade
• Pressure-treated 2-by-4s or metal edging
• Sand
• Raking board
• Water
• Fieldstones
• Level

Instructions

1. Outline your patio area. For a rough idea use a garden hose. Once you know the shape and location, hammer stakes into the ground around the perimeter and tie string between the stakes.

2. Remove the turf. Working around the edges of the staked area, use a spade to slice into the turf around the perimeter. Dig into the turf so you can remove it in sections.

3. Line the sides of the patio area with pressure-treated 2-by-4s or metal edging held in place with U pins. This will contain the stones and keep them from shifting.

4. Test the depth by laying a stone in the excavated area. You want to remove soil to the depth of the fieldstone plus two inches for a layer of sand.

5. Pour a layer of sand and rake in smooth. Use a raking board, or drag board--dragged across the sand--to ensure that the sand is flat and level. But make sure the sand is slightly higher in the middle or next to a building to prevent water runoff damage.

6. Dampen the sand to pack it down and solidify the surface somewhat.

7. Position the fieldstones. Decide which side of the stone is more attractive and make sure the less attractive side faces down. Take your time, positioning and repositioning the stones until they are arranged in a design you find attractive. Leave 1 inch between each stone to be filled in with sand.

8. Use a level to check that stones are relatively level. Because they aren't perfectly flat, there may be some unevenness but nothing too drastic.

9. Pour sand between stones and spray lightly to dampen. Let the sand dry for a bit and add more as needed to low areas. Spray again and let dry before sweeping away the excess sand.

References

• Extreme How-To: Stone Age: Simple Stone Projects

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: Build Your Own Natural Stone Patio