How To Build a Stone Path for Your Garden (2024)

ByRebecca Wright Brown

Step 1

Design the path

In order to build a stone path, you need to design the layout. Because this garden path is informal, we decided to set the stone walkway on a 2- to 3-in. thick sand bed rather than the 6-in. deep compacted gravel base used under more heavily traveled walks and patios. Although you’ll spend a lot less time digging and moving dirt with our method, you may have to reset a sunken or tipped stone every few years because the base isn’t as stable.

Mark the path of the building edge with special upside-down spray marking paint. Spray along the path’s edge outlined by the stakes as you start to figure out how to make a walkway with stepping stones.

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Step 2

Cut the sod

Remove the sod in the area of the path with a sod cutter. Set the sod cutter to maximum depth to minimize additional digging. Dig out the path area to about 5 in. deep to allow for 3 in. of sand and 2 in. thick stone.

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Step 3

Use a gravel base for the wall

If your path of building runs along the edge of a slope like ours, level it by digging it into the slope and building a low retaining wall. Pour and pack gravel into an 8-in. deep trench for the retaining wall footing only. Spread the gravel in 2-in. layers, packing each layer with a hand tamper before adding the next. Use a level and straightedge to level the final layer before you pack it down.

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Step 4

Stagger the wall stones

Stack the stone walkway for the low retaining wall on the compacted gravel base. Stagger the joints in the stones and set each row back 1/2 in. behind the face of the stones below so the wall “leans into” the hill. Pack soil behind the stones as you build the wall.

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Step 5

Tamp the step base

You can lay a stone path like this almost anywhere that’s not too steep for comfortable walking. If after laying out your path, you notice a section that seems too steep, plan on building in a step to break the path into sections that are more level.

You’ll have to buy a few stones about 6 in. thick and the right length to form the step. Then level them on a bed of packed gravel and fill behind them with sand before you continue laying path stones. Tamp gravel in 2-in. layers to form an 8-in. deep base under the step.

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Step 6

Form the front of the step

Set 6 x 8-in. wall stone into a 3-in. bed of sand to form the step. Settle and level the stones with a rubber mallet or a hammer and block of wood. Then fill behind the step stones with packed sand and set the stone walkway even with the top of the step.

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Step 7

Spread sand

Spread a 3-in. layer of sand over the path of the building. Use a rake to smooth the sand about 2 in. below the surface of the lawn.

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Step 8

Arrange the stones

Laying the stone walkway is like assembling a big, heavy jigsaw puzzle. Spread the stones out on the ground so you can pick shapes and colors that fit. Use a wheelbarrow or a two-wheel dolly to move heavy stones, and always lift with your legs, not your back.

Start laying stones against walls, steps or other established borders. Then work out and along the path. Loosely assemble a half dozen stones and stand back to take a look at the arrangement. Reposition the stones if you like, and then set these stones before moving on. Don’t worry about tight fits. The path will look more natural if you leave a few irregular spaces and an occasional stone jutting out into the yard. Instead, leave about 2 in. between stones for plants to fill in.

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Step 9

Adjust the stones

The goal for placing the stones is to keep all the tops even. Tie a string to stakes about an inch above the finished height of the path of the building for a guideline. The string should follow the natural slope of the path; it doesn’t have to be level. Adjust the depth of the sand so the tops of the stones align under the string. As you gain experience, you’ll be able to look at the thickness of the stone and judge how much sand to leave. Wiggle the stones into place and settle them down into the sand by pounding on the top with a rubber mallet.

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Step 10

Fill gaps between the stones

Fill the cracks between stones with a 50/50 mix of potting soil and sifted compost or bark mulch. Spread the soil mix along the path and sweep it into the cracks with a broom.

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Step 11

Plant ground cover

Complete the path by filling the joints between stones with soil mix and planting a durable ground cover. We planted creeping thyme in the larger spaces. Dig down into the sand base to provide room for the roots. Loosen the roots and spread them out in the hole, then refill around the plant with potting mix and water the plant. Eventually, the thyme will spread and fill the cracks for a low-maintenance, fragrant path.

Check with your local nursery for advice on durable spreading plants for your climate. If you’d rather not grow plants, fill the spaces with mulch or finely shredded bark. No matter what you decide to fill the spaces with, you’re done! Now you know how to build a stone path.

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