How to Stack a Stone Border

Hammer wooden stakes into the ground with a rubber mallet and wrap a string line around the stakes get an outline of the planned border. Measure the area with a tape measure to help calculate the amount of materials needed.

Examine the outline and make any necessary adjustments to shape and position. Stand above the string, with legs straddling the line. Direct a line of spray paint around the marked off border area. Pull the stakes and remove the string line.

Dig the sod out using a spade around the circumference of the spray painted circle. Pull up all the grass, rocks, and other debris in the ground and use a metal rake to smooth the soil. Add a layer of coarse sand to even out the area. Check the ground with a 2-foot level and get it is even and straight as possible.

Place the first stone down into the sand and butt it right up against the edge of the grass. Check it with a 12-inch level and either lift and add sand or tap it down with a rubber mallet to get it even. Lay the next stone tightly against this in the row and repeat the leveling process. Continuing placing and leveling the stones until the first row is in place and positioned tightly together. If you are creating a ring border and need to cut a stone, use a chisel and hammer to score and break the stone to the size required.

Lay subsequent layers of stones offset by half the length of one stone to create a staggered look in the seams in the arrangement. This also makes the border stronger by not having a consistent seam all the way through the border.