How to Lay Brick Pavers on Dirt

Insert garden stakes halfway into the ground to mark the borders of your walkway or patio site, adding about 3 inches to each side for the edge restraints. Tie or wind a string around the stakes.

Insert a spade into the ground along the borders and slide it under the grass, deep enough to remove the root systems. Continue to remove the grass and other growth from the area within the borders. Transplant the grass immediately to a bare area in your yard if needed.

Pound a hand tamper over the exposed soil. Apply as much force as possible to compact the ground, stabilizing it for the bricks. Use a bubble level to verify the soil is level, and dig out high areas as needed. If you notice the soil is dry or sandy, mix about a 1-inch thick layer of cement powder with the soil to firm it up, and then compact it.

Set pieces of landscaping or geotextile fabric over the soil to firm up the base, improve drainage and deter weeds from growing between the bricks. Secure the edges with spikes so they don't show.

Arrange wood or metal edge restraints against the inner walls of the compacted soil. Fasten the restraints down with 9-inch nail spikes through the edging holes.

Place the bricks on the dirt so they are flush against each other, following your pattern. Begin at one end or corner and work your way across. Place a wooden board across each small section of bricks, and hit the board gently with a hammer to embed the bricks in the dirt and level them with each other. Continue setting and leveling the bricks until the dirt site is filled.

Pour stone dust over the bricks and sweep it between the small crevices. Moisten the bricks, then add more stone dust and continue brushing it between bricks until the spaces are filled. The dust will pad the bricks and act as a barrier against weeds.