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Patio and Retaining Wall The apprentice improves his skills in dry-stack masonry. From "Trade School" episode DTRS-201

(Continued from page 2)

Before setting the walkway and patio stones, Tony fills both areas with sand (figure L). He packs with a tamper, and then uses a long board to smooth the surface (figure M).

Tony and Jef lay out flat four-sided stones varying in sizes and colors over the walkway (figure N). Tony soon learns that staggering these joints while minimizing gaps is challenging and time consuming. Once the stones are shaped and the final pattern is laid, Tony levels and sets each stone.

Figure L

Figure M

Figure N

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The last phase of the project is the patio area. To distinguish the patio from the rest of the project, Tony and Jef opt to use quartzite stone, which is difficult to cut and nearly impossible to chisel.

After preparing a sand base, Tony begins the arduous process of strategically arranging the irregularly shaped stones (figure O) to minimize the need for cutting. Once the desired pattern is achieved, he sets and levels the stones.

To complete the project, Tony and Jef make some cosmetic treatments. After Jef randomly plants wooly thyme in the gaps (figure P), Tony fills in all the joints with crusher fine (finely crushed stone), which solidifies when it gets wet to further stabilize the stones (figure Q).

Figure O

Figure P

Figure Q

Tony and Jef clean up the area, and then take a look at their hard work.

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