How to Make a Stone Curb

Plan your curb and pick your stone. The location and function of the curb will influence the selection of stone. Driveway curbs look best with some type of cut stone, in fairly regular sizes. Garden paths and similar walks may look fine with natural stones, with rounded and irregular shapes. Lay out the basic line for the curb, then examine all the stone options. Cost may be an influence; some types of stone, like Belgian block, may be very expensive in some locales.

Mark the curb line with wood stakes and builder's twine, as a guide for installation. Dig a trench with a shovel about 4 inches deeper than the bottom of the stone. Gauge the depth by the stones; an 8-inch stone that you want to sit 4 inches above the drive or ground should have a trench 8 inches deep, to allow for 4 inches of gravel, 4 inches of stone to the ground and 4 above. Make the curb at least 4 inches high; anything less is considered a tripping hazard.

Put down landscape fabric or similar weed barrier. Fill the trench with medium gravel, about 1/2-inch diameter, and compact it solidly with a hand tamper. Lay the stones in the trench in any desired pattern, depending in part on the size and shape of the stones. Belgian blocks look best laid solidly end to end. Natural or rounded stones look best in a random style, with lengths and heights varying. Some stones lend themselves to long, straight curb sections. Pick a style to suit your preference and your stone.

Backfill dirt behind the stone curb. Put dry cement in first, if moisture or movement is likely to be a problem; the dry cement will solidify and hold the curb stones in place more firmly. Top the cement with a layer of dirt to the level of the surrounding ground. If you are marking end points on a driveway or front walk with a stone set vertically, you may want to affix an address number.