How to Lay a Flagstone Pathway

Use a garden hose to mark the outline of your design where you would like the pathway to be built. This will allow you to visualize the layout of the pathway. A width of three feet is sufficient for one person. A curved design will create the most natural looking pathway.

Etch the outlines of the pathway into the dirt using a flat shovel or edger.

Use a shovel to extract the dirt from the pathway, digging a trench three or four inches deep.

Lay down landscape fabric. This will keeps weeds and grass from growing in your pathway.

Put steel, plastic or rubber edging along each side of the pathway, securing the landscaping fabric underneath it. If your pathway curves, use rubber or plastic, since it will flex to fit the angle of your path.

Pour in two inches of gravel. Use a rack to smooth it out.

Add one inch of sand. Dampen the sand with a water hose and use a hand tamper to pack it down. Expect to go over the surface several times to pack the sand and gravel in tight enough to create a secure foundation for the flagstone.

Lay the flagstone pavers in the pathway in a pattern that you like. The naturally irregular shape of the flagstone will give the pathway interest. Once you have placed all of the flagstone pavers in a pattern that you like, gently push them into the walkway. Alternately, set the flagstone by tapping it into place with a rubber mallet.

Fill the gaps in the pathway with crushed limestone or gravel.