How to Make a Crushed-Stone Patio

Plan the size and shape of the patio. Use a tape measure and ropes to outline the site, and measure any furniture you plan to add to ensure the patio will be large enough. Note that crushed stones will take the shape of the foundation, so creating a round or curved edge is just as simple as angles and straight lines.

Go over the ropes with a coat of landscaping paint. Follow the painted lines and cut into the soil with a square shovel. Remove grass until the site is 6 inches below ground. Tamp loose dirt at the bottom with a tamper to make it firm for the base.

Add 2 1/2 inches of pack, a combination of gravel and stone dust, to the site and spread it even with a rake. Tamp the pack down until the surface feels solid under your feet.

Set a sheet of weed barrier over the bottom of the site and pin it down along the edges with spikes. The barrier helps keep weeds from growing through the stones.

Dump crushed stone over the site until you have a 4-inch layer. Spread it and tamp the rocks until they are compact. Add another 2 inches to raise the surface of the crushed stones 2 inches above the ground. Go over the patio stones three times with the tamper so they don't shift under foot traffic.

Add a border around the patio to contain the patio stones. Use medium-sized fieldstones to accentuate the colors and texture of crushed stones. The border should be 2 inches taller than the surface of the patio.