How to Landscape With Slate Rock

Walk through your yard to determine the best location for a slate patio or walkway. For a patio, measure the site with a tape measure and consider if it's large enough for your furniture and family. A walkway can be a secondary path or a main walkway for guests. A main walkway should be about 4 feet wide, while a secondary path can range between 30 and 36 inches.

Lay hoses or ropes down along the intended borders of the site. Use a squared shovel to make clean, straight cuts along the outline. Unearth 8 inches from the area and rake the loose soil at the bottom of the expanse to even it out.

Position a hand tamper over each section of the base and compact the dirt until it feels solid.

Add two 3-inch layers of gravel fill into the site, tamping the surface between each layer. Use 3/4-inch aggregate or recycled concrete as the irregular, sharp shapes wedge snug together when tamped.

Install edges restraints against the inside edges of the expanse. If you prefer the more casual look of a slate stepping-stone path, skip the edging and plan to surround individual pieces with mulch or grass instead.

Shovel an inch of grit sand over the top of the base and rake it. Sand levels it out and creates friction beneath the slate so it doesn't slide.

Place each piece on the sand flush against each other, following your chosen pattern and starting at on end. Wiggle the slate as necessary to make it adjacent to surrounding pieces. The gaps between stones should be as minimal as possible.

Sweep stone dust or fine-grained sand over the surface of a patio with a shop broom and plan to replenish the top layer every year. For a stepping stone-style path, pack pea gravel, river rocks, mulch or sod around each stone.