A stone walkway is ideal for a cottage garden design, but it can also be used in any natural landscape layout. It is possible to lay stone walkways in mortar, but a solid concrete base and stone building skills are needed.
For DIYers, a sand-set walkway will be much easier and more convenient to put together. As the stones are easily spread out in this manner, they are kept stable, and the process of levelling the surface is simplified. Fill in the voids between the stones with sand, gravel or even plants that can withstand foot traffic when you’re done.
Choosing the stone for a walkway depends on personal preference since any wide, flat stone will do. Most walkways are made of flagstone, which is not a specific type of rock but rather a shape of the stone. Most of the time, it’s best to choose a type of rock that can be found in the area. This keeps the cost of both the rock and the delivery low. The best thickness for flagstone is between 2 and 3 inches.
Use stakes and string (for a straight path) or two garden hoses to mark the path of your walkway (for a curving path). If the walkway is often used as a path between a driveway and a front door, ensure it is wide enough for two people to walk side by side without bumping into each other. Small garden paths or paths that lead to hidden spots in the landscape can be big enough for one person. Strings or hoses should be put up on both sides of the path.
To cut the grass along the path’s margins, use a flat spade or sod cutter to follow the strings or garden hoses. Remove all plants from the route, including the roots. Using a 3-inch-thick stone, remove 5 inches of earth to create a flat, smooth foundation. Using a hand tamp or simply walking over the ground, tamp the earth down hard.
The entire path should be covered in landscape fabric. As much as possible, use a single piece of artwork. The margins of each piece should be at least 12 inches apart if you must use more than one. Landscape fabric staples are used to attach the fabric to the soil after trimming it with a utility knife along the path’s edges.
Place them on one side of the walkway to ensure that all path stones can be seen. Because of this, you’ll know what size and form of stone to use while laying the walkway.
If desired, fill the spaces between the stones with sand or gravel. Spray water on the pathway to help it settle, then repeat the process of spreading sand with a brush and adding more sand until the sidewalk is completely covered. A potting soil mix and “stepable” plants such as woolly thyme, sedum or bugleweed can be used to fill up the gaps in your walkway.
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