The stone path is one of the oldest forms of paved surfaces and is still used today because it works. It’s an easy and practical way to create a walkway through your landscape. If you want to direct foot traffic and protect your lawn while adding a rustic yet functional charm to the look of your home, you’ve come to the right place. You just need to know how to create a stepping stone path. Read on to learn how.
Step 1: Plan the Path
Choose a location. Decide where you want your stepping stone path to begin and end. The path can be straight or curved. You can use a garden hose as a guide to determine the shape and direction of the path.
Use a tape measure to determine the length of your path. This will help you decide how many stones you need – and how far apart you want each stone to be. Stand where you want the walkway to begin and take a step forward in your natural stride. Drive a stake into the ground next to the center of your foot. This will be the center of the stone. Measure this distance, then add another stake from this point at the same distance for the next stone center. Repeat this process until you reach the proposed end point of the path.
Step 2. Purchase or make the stepping stones
Before you move forward, you will need stepping stones for your path. You have several options. The type of stones you need can be purchased from a landscaping supplier, or you can find them yourself in nature. Depending on how many stones you need for your walkway, transporting the stones to your home and moving them around the yard can be an added burden. They can be heavy and expensive.
The other option is to make them yourself using a concrete mix and a mold. The Quikrete Walkmaker is a reusable plastic mold specifically designed for DIYers to create their own walkways. You can also build your own mold to shape the stones to your liking using pieces of wood or an old baking pan.
To build a form out of wood, you can use 2×4 pieces and a sheet of plywood cut to the dimensions you want, such as 13 inches per side. Connect the pieces at each corner using wood screws and an electric screwdriver. Then cut a piece of plywood to fit and screw it to the 2x4s to create a back wall. Make a handful of these forms to speed up the stone-making process.
Using a mason’s board (or the edge of a piece of wood), scrape excess concrete from the top of the form and smooth the surface. This is more than just cosmetic—it also forces any fine particles and air bubbles to the surface, creating a denser, more durable top coat.
Allow the concrete block to cure for the amount of time recommended by the concrete manufacturer. Once the concrete has cured, remove your new block from the mold and set it aside. Repeat the process for additional blocks until you have enough to complete your path.
Step 3. Prepare the Path Site
Place the stepping stones to get an idea of what the path will look like. Once you are happy with the layout, leave the stones on the lawn for a few days. This will brown the grass underneath and create perfect outlines of the stones. Set the stones aside, use a garden trowel to trim the edges of each outline and remove the sod from the area. Remove about 2 to 4 inches of soil from the area (depending on the thickness of your stones) and then use a tamper to compact the area so it is flat and nearly level.
Step 4. Lay the stepping stones
Place the stepping stones in their respective locations and walk along your path a few times. Take the time to stand on each stone for a few seconds to further press it down and help it settle into the ground. Check the alignment of your stones by laying a board from one stone to the other and placing a spirit level on top of it. Adjust the stones as needed. Make sure the stones sit without wobbling or lifting when you step on them.
That’s it! Enjoy your new stone path.