How to Measure for a Field Stone Edging

Lay out the design of the edging with a garden hose or heavy rope. Using a hose or rope allows you to make curves in the design with ease.

Spray the design onto the grass or soil with landscaping paint after you have finalized the design plan.

Mark the hose or rope and then pull it up off the ground.

Pull the hose or rope straight and measure it from one end to the mark you made to indicate the end of the design.

Measure the length of about 10 field stones, and then divide the total by the number of stones to get the average length of the field stones; the field-stone supplier may be able to provide you with an average number. Unlike brick or paving stones, field stones vary in size, so the best you can do is measure according to the approximate length of each stone.

Divide the length for the edging area by the number for the average length of the stones to determine the approximate number of field stones needed for the job. For example, if the edging area is 100 feet long and the stones are approximately 1 foot long, it will take about 100 field stones to complete the job.

Calculate 10 percent of the total number of field stones needed to determine the amount of extra stones to purchase to accommodate for a margin of error or changes in design plan. If you need 100 field stones to fill in the edging area, and you divide that number by 10, you will need 10 extra field stones for the job; round the number up if the figure includes a fraction.