Flagstone Path the Easy Way

Flagstone pathways can be a nice addition to any garden or yard. The irregular stone has a natural look and feel, and comes in many colors and sizes. A flagstone pathway can solve many landscaping problems; it can help terrace and stabilize a slope, improve drainage or direct the flow of foot traffic. Installing a flagstone path requires physical labor and a few tools, but can be done in a weekend.

Choosing Flagstone

There are many types of flagstone to choose from. You can find red or buff-colored stone, or flagstone with metallic flecks, for example. Flagstone can be thin or thick, flat or slightly uneven. Choose what best suits your needs and the look of your garden and home. Try to choose stones that are somewhat even in thickness, but varied in size.

Measure and Prep the Area

Use a garden hose or a piece of twine to play with the shape and determine what will fit best into your landscape and with any existing flagstone that you have. Sometimes a straight path is preferable, but often a curved path gives a more natural and eye-pleasing feel. Use a square-tipped spade to dig the outline for your path. Dig down about four to six inches. After you dig the the outline of the pathway, remove the remaining sod and dirt with a shovel. Use the spade to get the sides as square as possible, and the bottom as level as possible.

Lay the Barrier

If your path is laid in a grassy yard, create a barrier between the path and your yard. This prevents the gravel from scattering in your yard. If your path is laid in a mulched area, it's not necessary to edge it with a barrier. Use 1-inch x 4-inch boards for a straight path, or 1/4-inch flexible, synthetic board for a curved path.

Laying the Flagstone

Gravel sets the foundation for the flagstone, prevents the stone from cracking during freezing temperatures, provides drainage and prevents washouts that can occur if you set the stone directly in sand. Lay down a 2-inch layer of pea gravel and rake smooth. Add 2 inches of leveling sand on top. Set the pieces of flagstone into the sand, adding or removing sand to make each stone level.

Laying the flagstone is the fun part; it is like putting together a puzzle. Once you have the pieces set, move them back and forth in the sand until they are securely set. You might have to add a bit more sand underneath a stone or remove some sand until they feel stable. Step on your stones to see if any of them feel loose or uneven. If they are loose, just pull them up and adjust the sand and gravel underneath.

Finishing Touches

Once the flagstone is laid in place, pour crushed gravel or pea gravel over the path and sweep back and forth until the cracks are evenly filled. Enhance your path with plantings along the edge or between the stones.

References

• Ann Nickerson Landscape Design
• Lowe's: Laying a Flagstone Walkway