DIY Network

Blog Cabin: Cobblestone Patio, Flagstone Path and Outdoor Fireplace As the Blog Cabin team nears the finish line, they head outside as DIY's gardening pro Ahmed Hassan helps create a stone patio and flagstone walk. Also on the agenda: constructing the frame for an outdoor fireplace. From "Blog Cabin" episode DBLG-112

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Our flagstone walkway utilizes mulch for fill between the stones.

Laying A Flagstone Pathway

Tools:

round point shovel
metal rake
broom
hose with spray nozzle
work gloves
compacter

Materials:

flagstones
edging
sand
water
gravel

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Figure E

Steps:

1. First, prepare your area by digging up about four inches of soil in the area you wish to place your flagstones. Rake the area smooth and remove any debris underneath.

• Note: You may want to line your pathway with edging to give you a clear idea what the path will look like.

2. Next, lay a small layer of gravel to prevent any weeds from inching upward (figure E).

Figure F

3. Then pour a 2 inch layer of sand and rake it smooth.

4. Lightly mist the sand with water and flatten using a compacter.

5. Next, create your flagstone pathway. Lay each stone piece, and work it carefully into position ensuring that each piece is level (figure F).

• Note: Our stones were set four to five inches apart.

Figure G

6. Fill in the gaps between your flagstones. This can be done with many different materials including sand, gravel, pebbles or mulch (figure G). We used mulch to fill the gaps in our walkway.

7. Use a broom to sweep excess mulch or other filler material off of stones.

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