How to Landscape With Strip Stone

Use your hose to make an outline of the shape you want for the lawn edging. Draw the outline with spray chalk. Remove the soil digging it out of the outline only 1-inch deep and placing it into your wheelbarrow.

Rake the soil inside the 1-inch deep outline until it is level. Spread a 2-inch layer of sand over the just raked soil. Use your rake to tamp down the sand until it is level.

Lay the first row of strip stones into place side by side, pressing them into the sand. Tap each stone firmly into place with your rubber mallet. Use your level to align each stone adding or removing sand to keep each row of stones level.

Add new rows of stones placing the stones side by side. Use your rubber mallet to tap each stone and use your level to align the stones adding or removing sand to keep the stones level. Continue adding rows of stones until the edging is complete.

Pour the dry mortar mixture onto the rows of strip stone then sweep it into the joints with a broom. Continue pouring the mixture and sweeping until the joints are filled. Sweep off any excess dry mortar with your broom. Use a watering can with small holes in the spout to water the dry mortar mixture in the joints until it is wet to the touch. Let the mortar dry and set completely following manufacturer's directions.