How to lay stepping stones

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How to lay stepping stones

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BBC Gardeners' World Magazine

Published: Sunday, 14 April 2019 at 3:00 pm

Stepping stones are a great alternative to a path and can make small gardens look bigger. We show you how to make one.

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A path in a lawn can become a feature in its own right. Where constant use is likely to wear bare patches in a lawn, an inexpensive solution is to set stepping stones into the ground at regular, paced-out intervals and sow grass seed around the stones. Choose stones that are attractive and practical to walk on.

Our stepping stone shopping list

You might already have what you need to get started on making your stepping stones. If you don't, we've done the hard work for you with our handy shopping list.

You Will Need

Stones
Garden fork
Garden spade
Rubber mallet
Cane
Riddle, or sieve
Soft brush

Step 1

How to lay stepping stones - marking out the path

Mark out the path and lay all the stones in place to check spacing before digging. Loosen compacted soil with a garden fork, removing any stones or roots you come across.

Step 2

How to lay stepping stones - adding sharp sand to the hole

Dig a hole for each of your stepping stones that measures 2cm deeper than the thickness of the stone. Then spread a 1.5cm layer of sharp sand in the hole.

Step 3

How to lay stepping stones - fixing the stones in place

The stones should lie just below the level of the surrounding soil so that you can mow over them, rather than having to go around. Tap down firmly with a rubber mallet.

Step 4

How to lay stepping stones - checking the level of the stone

Place a cane over the stepping stone to check that it sits lower than the level of your lawn. This is to ensure that your lawnmower blades will be able to pass over it.

Step 5

How to lay stepping stones - sieving soil into the gaps

Use a riddle or sieve to shake soil into the gaps around the stones, pushing it down firmly with your fingers, so that there are no spaces around the edges.

Step 6

How to lay stepping stones - the finished path

Gently loosen soil around the stones with a rake and scatter a mixture of riddled soil and grass seed, spreading with a soft brush. Alternatively, you can plant low-growing alpines, or similar plants, in between the stones. Water it well unless rain is imminent.

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