Landscape Cloth or Plastic Sheeting
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Concrete, aggregate, bark, gravel and some stones can be directly
set on a firm and stable ground base. Many of the other materials need a bed of
stable material to rest on. Sand is a good choice, but it can wash away from under
stones and pavers leaving an uneven surface. To prevent sand from shifting and
washing out first put down a 2-3 inch layer of gravel base. It is also recommended,
but not necessary to lay landscaping fabric or plastic under the sand or gravel to keep it
separate from the subsoil. Remove grass, weeds, etc. from where the project is to be
built. Install benderboard along the edges of the path.
Benderboard, while a traditional product, has it limitations in the tightness of curves
and has a short lifespan. Bricks, Concrete Edging, heavier boards, small logs, or any
number of products can be used to line a path. |
Add Sand and Rake Lightly |
If the there is an earthen base, use 1 inch of sand (we recommend
the Plaster Sand "#2"). Spread sand evenly and tamp well with either a
power tamper, or a hand held one. Level the sand with a notched 2x4 so it can ride
along the top of your base. Also rough the sand by lightly pulling a Rake along the
surface |
Wet Down the Sand to Compact it |
Moistening the sand will help to compact and stay in place. |
Tamp the Sand Thoroughly |
Tamp sand thoroughly, sometime rewetting and tamping a number of
times is advisable. |
Place the Stones where you want them |
Placing the stones or pavers is rather like piecing together a
jigsaw puzzle. If you are going to fill the spaces between the stones with more
sand, gravel or fines, place the stones close together. If you are going to be
planting a groundcover between the stones, leave enough room for soil and for the plants
to spread out. |
Fill gaps with more sand |
Spread more sand over the tops of the stones or pavers and sweep
into the joints with a broom. Sometimes lightly watering the new sand will help it
settle, if necessary sweep in more sand till joints are filled. |
