How to Do a Flat Stone Path

Lay out the path. Mark it with stakes and mason's twine -- a single line for individual stone placement, a double line to mark outside edges of a solid pathway. Excavate the area with a shovel the depth of the stones, plus 3 inches. Remove the sod down to bare earth and eliminate any small roots, rocks or other impediments. Lay landscape fabric or plastic over the area for a solid path.

Fill the path area with 3 inches of fine sand. Even off the sand with a spirit level and compact it with a hand tamper. Dampen the sand with a garden hose to aid in compacting. Let it dry before laying stones. Set individual stones in the sand and level them with the ground, slightly above ground level to allow for settling. Lay stones solid side by side, either putting finished edges together or working irregular stones to fit the layout of the path. Level stones side to side and end to end.

Sweep filler into the joints between stones with a broom or restore sod around the edges of individual stones. Fill areas between the stones with fine mason's sand, rock dust, dry mortar or polymeric sand which will harden when dampened. Make several passes to allow filler to settle before adding more. Fill the joints to the level of the stones.

Pour a base of concrete or mortar rather than sand to make a solid stone path. Fill the path area to make stones on top of it flush with the ground. Lay the stones individually, with regular joints or fitting as needed with irregular shapes. Push them firmly into the base and even them off with a level. Let the concrete or mortar dry, then sweep dry cement into the joints to fill them to the level of the stones.