How to Cement a Sidewalk on Grass

Mark out the location of the sidewalk. Stretch carpenter’s string between stakes set at the ends of one side of the sidewalk. Use spray paint to mark the grass under the string. Measure out from the string the planned width of the sidewalk. Mark, with spray paint, the opposite side of the sidewalk.

Excavate the sod between the marks to a depth of at least 4 inches. Dispose of the sod and soil away from the project. The excavated area should be about 6 inches wider than the planned sidewalk to allow workspace around the forms.

Build the forms of 2-by-4-inch lumber. Place the forms at the edge of the planned sidewalk. Drive wood stakes on the outside of the forms. Level the forms using a 4-foot carpenter’s level. Nail the forms to the stakes once they are level.

Pour the cement into the forms. Level the cement by pulling a screed, a straight piece of 2-by-4, across the top of the forms.

Trowel the cement smooth. Use a groove trowel to form a control joint every 4 feet. The groove should cut about 1 inch into the slab and extend in a straight line from side to side across the sidewalk. Use an edging trowel to round the edges of the sidewalk.

Remove the forms after the sidewalk has cured for about 24 hours. Backfill soil along the edges of the sidewalk.