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Stone Patio, Walkway and Stepping Stones From "Rock Solid" episode DROC-203

(Continued from page 4)

Stepping Stones

Test set the stepping stones between the walkway and the patio. This stepping stone area is the most natural looking of the three types of stonework completed in this project, so don’t worry about shaping the stones or having tight joints. Dean and Derek set them about five inches apart.

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	Figure Q
	Figure R
	Figure S
	Figure T

Once you’ve decided on the final placement of the stepping stones, trace the outline of the stepping stones with your spade shovel, remove the stone, and dig down the depth of the stone and an additional two inches. You're creating individual footings for each stone to which you should add two inches of crushed stone and tamp before setting the stone.

The more precisely you work, the less grass you’ll disturb around the stones and allow the stones to blend in seamlessly with the rest of the yard. If you’re going to spread loom or crushed stone between the joints, you don’t need to be as careful.

Finish Work

When it comes to finishing the patio and walkway, you have many options for filling the joints. You can spread epoxy sand or concrete sand but Dean and Derek have opted to fill the joints with loam (figure Q). Later, moss or other crevice-growing plants like lemon thyme can be ecouraged to grow between the stones.

• Dump the loam on top of the patio and spread with a sweeper brush (figures R and S).

• Once you've swept a layer across the joints, firmly pack the loam into the joints using a jointer (figure T). This secures the stone and ensures that all the joints will pack evenly.

• Follow with a second layer of loam to fill in the gaps in the loam created by jointing. Take your time and make sure you pack all the joints. When you're done, you'll be glad you made the extra effort.

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RESOURCES :

Hardscape: Innovative Hard Landscaping Materials for Gardens
Author: Anne Marie Powell
Publisher: David & Charles Publishers (2001)
ISBN: 0715310089
Order this title from Amazon.com.

How to Build Walks, Walls & Patio Floors
Publisher: Sunset Publishing Corporation (5th edition; 2002)
ISBN: 0376017082
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Stonework & Masonry Projects: New Projects in Stone, Brick & Concrete
Publisher: Creative Publishing international (2000)
ISBN: 0865735824
Order this title from Amazon.com.

Step-by-Step Outdoor Stonework: Over Twenty Easy-to-Build Projects for Your Patio and Garden
Author: Mike Lawrence
Publisher: Storey Publishing
ISBN: 0882668919
Order this title from Amazon.com.