How do I lay a stone garden walkway properly?

Question

Some of the surface in my yard is uneven. What is the best way to make sure the stones are not wobbly or that they do not crack or break over time?

Answer 1

It a lot of work. Make a simple form or spray paint your outline so you know how it go. Remove grass and top soils and level up your rocks with an underlayment of sand or something that give stability and fill in around the rocks with top soil and grass, if, you want grass. If, the rocks are smooth and level with the ground it easy to mow over them.
This link may help and it have pictures too. :-p
http://www.champlainstone.com/rockuniversity/diypatio.html

http://www.bit-grip.com/stone_walkway_plans_simple_free_easy_and_practical.htm

This next link is a more formal "Flagstone" but the technique about the same with any rock. It have a PDF file you can download and have for easy reference. I have not read it all. It good to spend time reading a few articles to get a "Mind Set" and some ideas.
http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/laying-flagstone-walkway.aspx

Answer 2

You don't say how you want the stones set. Stone dust or sand will do. You have to prepare a good base and you won't have a problem.

Typically this type of walkway is laid on a base of soil, a layer of sand (sometimes fine gravel) and a layer of stone dust into which the stones are set.

Dig about 6" and put 2x4 frame along the edge. It will be removed later. You can use brick for an edging, it looks nice and won't have to be removed.

Level and smooth the soil then add your base material: gravel or sand.

Use a 2x4 to grade and level the base layer of sand or gravel.

Add a layer of stone dust or sand to a depth that will allow your stones to be even with the border when they are set..

Set the stones. Squiggle them around to set them into the sand or stone dust. If necessary, pull an uneven stone and arrange the SD until the stone is firm and level.

Put the remaining sand or stone dust on top. Sweep this around so it settles into the cracks.

Spray lightly with a garden spray to settle the material in the joints.

Answer 3

The goal for placing the stones is to keep all the tops even. Adjust the height of each stone by scooping out or adding sand. It really depends on your creativity. In my case, I pave the walkway using asphalt pavage from pavage québec and it turns out great. Just a little imaghination and WALA!!! garden walkway

Answer 4

They say the best way is to dig down about 6 inches after you lay out your flow pattern. Install a edge barrier, lay some (plastic) weed barrier put (not fabric kind) put down about 3 inches of crushed granite (have a screed to the side for leveling ) {A strip of wood, plaster, or metal placed on a wall or pavement as a guide for the even application of plaster or concrete.}
pack in the granite, lay your stone and check with a level as you lay. Make sure to have a slight slope for water runoff and above all know how to use the machine to cut stone to sizes needed.
THIS IS HOW I LAYED (lazy woman's way) a red brick paver stone walkway. Starting at 7 1/2 feet wide from steps to 4 feet wide at start of path 12 feet long.
Ground was hard, put retaining edgers along the shape layed plastic covered with sand eyeballed leveling layed stones if off set and wobble (too high too low) adjusted it with sand. kept a slight slope for water run off. Finished by filling cracks with sand and brushing it in.
I was lucky.....The ground was like a brick and fairly level.
It's been going fine for past year and a half .

Answer 5

Dig out the path you want .
Pour sand in the path.
Set the stones in like a jigsaw puzzle.
Pour extra sand around the stones.
If you like plant a little moss here and there for looks.
Really pretty.
Spray with light water spray from hose.
Let settle

Answer 6

Check out Home Depot's website. www.homedepot.com. You have to lay down gravel and tamp it down before you put down the stones. Complete instructions are on the Home Depot site.

Answer 7

level out as much as you can, then put sand down so it makes a smoother foundation,then lay your blocks,then put sand between the blocks & tamp down good .

Answer 8

That's something you can't do. Call Jimmy.