How to Landscape with Edging Stones

Draw a landscape design on a piece of graph paper. Using the grid lines, divide your yard into fourths to get a sense of the overall balance within the landscape. Select areas for planters, walkways and gardens by considering the amount of available space within each quarter of the design, creating a balanced, even landscape plan.

Mark the outer edges of planters and flower beds with a garden hose, creating curves and straight lines to create the design. Using the hose as your guide, cut through the existing turf with a sharp spade, removing a strip of turf wide enough to allow for the width of the edging stones.

Create a shallow trench by removing the underlying soil to a depth equal to about one-third the height of the edging stones.

Tamp down the soil with a narrow soil tamper, using enough pressure to pack the ground firmly and evenly.

Cut a strip of landscaping fabric and place it in the bottom of the trench to discourage weed and grass growth between the landscaping stones.

Pour a 1/2-inch layer of coarse sand along the bottom of the trench. Set the landscaping stones in place on top of the sand. Wiggle the stones into the sand to form an even surface between the tops of the stones.

Fill in any gaps between the stones by pouring additional sand into the remaining spaces in the trench.