How to Set Stepping Stones

Stepping-stones are more delicate and more ethereal than wide-open garden paths; they hint of faery circles and hidden dells perfect for a romantic rendezvous. On a more practical note, they provide a nearly invisible pathway into a garden bed for weeding and other mundane tasks!

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Garden Trowels
• Sand
• Shovels
• Grub Axes

1. Choose your path. Look at your yard or garden and note where frequent travel or shortcutting has begun to wear a path: these are good areas for stepping-stones.
2. Mark your path, keeping in mind that stepping-stones should be spaced about as far apart as a normal stride. Walk alongside the envisioned path and with each step drop a little flour on the future path in a spot that is parallel to the arch of your foot - this will indicate where the center of each stone should go.
3. Figure out how many stones you will need, and get them.
4. Use a trowel, small shovel, or grub axe (depending on your soil type) to dig a hole for the first stone. Try to dig a flat-bottomed hole a bit bigger than the stone in diameter and not quite as deep.
5. Pack down the bottom, making it as flat and level as you can.
6. Spread a layer of sand, about 1/2-inch deep, in the bottom of the hole.
7. Place the stone on the sand and pack dirt loosely in around it. Stand on the stone and bounce a bit to set it firmly into place.
8. Stand on the stone again; adjust if necessary.
9. Firmly pack dirt around the stone.
10. Repeat steps 4 - 9 for each remaining stepping-stone.

Tips & Warnings

• If your soil is very clayey and you're having trouble getting the stones to lie evenly, use a thicker layer of sand.
• When you're doing your final packing down of the soil, don't forget to slip a few seedlings in - creeping plants like thyme look wonderful around stepping-stones.

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