How to Lay Flat Stone

Flat stones are ideal for making a pathway or patio. Common flat stones used for paths and patios include flagstone, blue stone and slate. In order to lay stone for a pathway or patio, you need to prepare a solid base. A solid base will ensure a lasting, durable and nearly maintenance-free surface. It is important to make sure that the stone is laid level because an uneven surface is dangerous to walk on. Select flat stones that add visual interest to your overall landscape.

Garden hose
Flat-blade shovel
Spade shovel
Tamper
Landscaping fabric
Utility knife
Pea gravel
Bow rake
Flat stones
Level
Rubber mallet

Instructions

- 1
  Lay out the garden hose to create the outline of the surface where you plan to lay the flat stone. The garden hose represents the perimeter of the pathway or patio.
- 2
  Cut the soil along the inside edge of the garden hose using a flat-blade shovel. This will cut the edge of the soil for the base of the stone surface.
- 3
  Dig out the area inside the garden hose perimeter to a depth of 4 inches using a spade shovel. Tamp down the dug out area with a tamper. Strike the soil evenly with the tamper in an up-and-down motion.
- 4
  Roll landscaping fabric out inside the dug-out surface to cover the area completely. Trim off excess fabric with an utility knife.
- 5
  Fill in the dug-out area with 4 inches of pea gravel. Rake over the pea gravel using a bow rake to make the surface level.
- 6
  Lay out the flat stones along the surface in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing. Space the stones evenly and close enough together so that a child or adult can easily walk from stone to stone.
- 7
  Place a level on each stone and tap it into the pea gravel using a mallet until each stone is seated into the gravel and is level.

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