Flagstone Walkway Installation

Flagstone's irregular shape offers walkways a whimsical appearance. Coupled with groundcover plants placed in between the stones and you will feel as though you are walking through a secret garden. The plants additionally inhibit the growth of weeds and decrease the amount of maintenance required. This flagstone installation method requires only hand tools and takes only one day to complete. Decomposed granite lines the soil underneath the flagstones and hardens when watered to provide a solid foundation.

Marking spray paint
Shovel
Metal rake
Level
2-by-4 lumber, 10 feet long
Decomposed granite
Hand tamper
Compost
Flagstones
Chisel
Hammer
Safety goggles
Groundcover plants

Instructions

- 1
  Mark the walkway area with marking spray paint.
- 2
  Cut any existing sod with a shovel along the spray-painted lines. Remove sod and shovel out 2 inches of soil from the entire walkway area. If no sod exists, shovel out 4 inches of soil from the walkway area.
- 3
  Set a 10-foot 2-by-4 along the length of the walkway and set a level on top. Ensure that the walkway slopes in a direction that allows runoff. Correct undesired slopes by removing or adding soil to the walkway.
- 4
  Rake the walkway area smooth and spread 2 inches of decomposed granite evenly on the walkway area. Compact with a hand tamper.
- 5
  Lay flagstones on the walkway area, starting at one corner and working your way out. Leave a 1/2 to 1 inch of space in between stones. Chisel stones to your desired fit.
- 6
  Mix decomposed granite with an equal part of compost in a bucket. Fill the spaces in between stones with this mixture and groundcover plants. Water thoroughly according to the groundcover specifications.

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