Correct Flagstone Spacing?

Question

I had a landscaper lay flagstone over a large area in my yard. They left up to 12" between stones in places and filled inbetween with black dirt. When it rains it is a muddy mess (I have dogs) I tried adding a topcoat of crushed rock, didn't really help. Suggestions?

Answer 1

Have the landscaper come back out and fix it. Tell them what it is doing. They should have put someting down below the rock and the filler. If they were expecting grass to grow between them, they should have sowed the seed. Doesn't sound like they did a very good job and should correct it.

The spacing is not a problem, but it does sound like something was supposed to grow between them. Maybe Spanish Moss or Thime.





bwg

Answer 2

Call them back and have the job done the way you want it.

Failing that, you could take out an 1" to 1 1/2" of dirt between the stones and refill with a dry mortar mix, sand mix or even one of the "Quick Crete" mixes without stones to within 1/4" of the top of the flagstone. With a very very fine mist of water, rinse off the surface of the flagstone to remove any of the mix and slowly add water to the mix. When the water starts to stand on the top of the mix, or when you suspect that the mix has been wet through, let the mix set up. A word of caution, too much water will make it weak.

Short of taking up and relaying all the flagstone this is the best method I have used. I have found that mixing first and then troweling it into the cracks is less than satisfactory due to the mess it creates and the difficulty of removing it from the stone once it has set up.

Answer 3

If it was laid for the purpose of a sitting area, just an example the spacing would be from 1/2" - 2" depending what you want to go in between them, such as smaller stones or ag lime. Another idea would be grow a ground cover or moss between them.

If it is a walking path I would go 6" - 8" and put small gravel inbetween

Did you make you plans clear to the landscaper of what you wanted done? If so make him redo his work. A happy customer is good for business, a disatified customer can create problems by telling other about his poor job

Answer 4

My 1st question to you is what did you and the landscaper discuss when planning this project? But, devoid of that answer, he/she probably left those spaces so you could plant in between the stones. Low growing plants such as thyme, ophiopogon, creeping phlox, creeping wintergreen, etc. will fill in, break up the blandness of the stone, and disperse pleasant aromas when walked upon. Also helps with drainage as it gives some place for water to go. Leaving spaces like that are not uncommon, but would be something you would have discussed with your landscape professional.

Answer 5

They should of used sand or better yet decomposed granite for laying flagstone, but all is not lost. Go to your garden center and buy flats of moss to grow in between the stones. If you like color but sweet allysum. It spreads and stays very low. You can wait and plant allysum seed also as soon as it is warm enough. You can also wait for warmer weather and plant grass. Good luck!

Answer 6

Geez, that sounds like an awfully large space between them! I've always seen them use sand, swept in between them, on the landscaping shows...but I think you would have to get the dirt & gravel out for it to make much difference now:( I can't believe he just put dirt in!! I know sometimes they plant moss in between, but that probably won't work now with the gravel. That's just a shame, and I bet it is a mess everytime it rains, especially with your dogs tracking it in. I think I would insist that he re-does it, or take him to court~
Good Luck!

Answer 7

Go to your local Nursey and get something to plant in the spaceme between the flagstone! the herb tyme would be great!!!!

Answer 8

i had flagstone laid down in my yard..there was only 2in. space ,i have no problems