How to Add a Border to a Flagstone Walkway

Add a Stone or Paver Border

• 1

  Decide on the type of material you want to use for the border. Pavers or stones can give a flagstone surface a more structured, polished look, and deter weeds from encroaching.

• 2

  Lay two ropes along the outside edges of the walkway. These will be used as guides. Space them about 8 inches from the flagstones if you're using a hard material like pavers or gravel.

• 3

  Dig out the area between the ropes and the flagstones with a shovel. Dig a trench 4 inches deep plus half the thickness of your material.

• 4

  Lay landscape fabric over the bottom of the trenches to deter weeds.

• 5

  Add 3 inches of pea gravel and tamp it down with a tamper. Pour 1 inch of sand over the gravel to level the surface. Pea gravel prevents stones or pavers from sinking, while allowing excess water to drain from the site.

• 6

  Set pavers or stones in the sand end-to-end or side-to-side leaving as little space as possible between them. Tap them with a mallet to embed them in the sand. Continue until the trenches are filled. Pack stone dust between the gaps to hold the pavers or stones in place.

Add a Plant Border

• 7

  Place two ropes parallel to the walkway spaced about 8 inches from the edge of the flagstones. The necessary width of the border is determined by size the plants will be when they mature. Refer to the planting instructions for approximate maturity size.

• 8

  Dig a hole where each plant will go that is equal to the depth of the root ball plus 3 inches. Shovel in 2 inches of compost to the base of each planting hole to add good bacteria and oxygen to the soil.

• 9

  Place the root balls of plants in the planting holes. Consider using hostas for their low maintenance and thick, vibrant foliage. Alternate hostas with flowering perennials like phlox, salvia and day lilies for a splash of color. Fragrant herbs like rosemary, mint and lavender provide a subtle aroma to stimulate the senses.

• 10

  Backfill the holes with soil and add 2 inches of mulch around the base of the plants and between them to reduce weeds and lock in moisture.