Homeowners David Bouillez and Zsofia Tallai, residents of the San Francisco Bay area, want to enhance their currently bare yard with a pair of flagstone patios that feature a connecting path in between. To implement the project, the couple has enlisted the help of landscape architect Dave Phelps, who explains that the size and placement of the patios will be dictated by the purposes for which they will be used--in this case, for entertaining and relaxing. Based on this information, Phelps will make ample size a priority when creating the layout; circulation routes will play a large part in determining the patios' placement. Phelps estimates that a professional installation of this project would generally cost around $3,800, while a do-it-yourselfer can expect to spend somewhere in the area of $1,300 on materials and will need about two weekends to complete the work. On a difficulty scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most difficult, Phelps rates the project a "2" and says that moving the heavy pieces of flagstone is the most difficult task involved.
Step One: Shaping the Patios
As the project gets underway, Phelps has already cleared and dug out the site; the next step is to mark the outline of the patios and path.
To get started, Phelps first marks the point where the patios' surface will reach on the wall where they join the house. He uses a tape measure to determine the desired grade of the patios, then marks it on the wall with a pencil. Then he continues making small guideline marks down the length of the wall, using a level to keep the grade consistent.
Phelps marks the perimeter of the patios and path using landscaper's spray paint. Here, the two patios will measure 12'x10', with a seven-foot-long walkway in between.
Finally, Phelps uses lengths of bender board to create the framing for the layout, flexing them so that they follow the marked curves. To hold the framing in place, Phelps simply inserts stakes into the ground at regular intervals along the outline, then nails the bender boards securely to the stakes.
Step Two: Installing the Irrigation
Phelps explains that it's important to lay in-ground access sleeves or pipes prior to installing a patio; otherwise, any electrical or water lines that need to be added later may require digging up the patio. Here, Phelps is installing a pop-up irrigation system that features a series of connected pipes and an above-ground spout (the irrigation will provide water for the groundcover that will be added later).
After digging shallow trenches for the pipes, Phelps simply lays the system in place and covers it with dirt, allowing the spout to remain exposed.
Step Three: Filling in the Base and Adding the Plants
To fill in the framing and create a solid base for the flagstone that will be laid in place next, Phelps uses a filler mix of soil, sand and organic matter. He explains that this type of mix will create a compact, supportive base for the flagstone and will also facilitate drainage; the organic content will nourish the groundcover, which will be added once the flagstone is in place.
After dumping an ample amount of the filler mix into the framed area, Phelps uses a rake to spread it evenly over the ground. (He emphasizes the importance of using a sufficient amount of filler mix, explaining that a base of five to six inches is needed to ensure adequate stability.)
Once the filler has been distributed across the area, Phelps lays a long board across the surface and pulls it from one side to the other to further smooth the layer (this is referred to as screeting). Then, he uses a vibratory clay compactor to pack down the entire area and ensure a firm foundation (this type of compactor rents for about $75 per day).
Note: Phelps says a hand tamper can also be used for this process but will need to be pressed over the entire area several times to ensure the filler is properly compacted.
Before moving on to the flagstone, Phelps turns his attention to the planting plan, which he designed to accent the patio and bring out the flagstone's beautiful color. Two beds on either side of the patios will be filled with plants featuring foliage and blooms in shades of peach, maroon and purple; low-growing groundcover will be planted between the flagstone pieces later.
Featured plants:
- Abelia grandiflora 'Sunrise' Zones 6-9
- Phormium cookianum 'Maori Sunrise' Zones 9-10 (unable to tolerate hard frost)
- Yucca filamentosa, Zones 5-10 (cold-climate alternative to phormium)
- Euphorbia martinii, Zones 7-10 (a good deer-resistant plant)
Step Four: Setting the Flagstone
For this patio, Phelps is using Canadian Sunrise flagstone, a beautiful variety that features a mottled pattern of rose and peach tones running throughout. The price of this flagstone, however, is considerably higher than many other types; it usually costs about $550 per ton. For those looking to spend a bit less, Phelps recommends choosing Arizona flagstone, which is available in four or five different shades but doesn't boast the mottled pattern of Canadian Sunrise.
Regardless of the type of flagstone used, Phelps says it's essential to find one with substantial thickness when building a patio. It's a good idea to find a type that includes a number of large pieces, which should be laid in the areas that will have to withstand heavy foot traffic. Here, Phelps and an assistant begin laying the flagstone next to the house, working outward to fill in the area. (It's a good idea to get help for this phase because of the labor-intensive work involved.)
As they proceed, Phelps and his assistant position the flagstone pieces so that the best-fitting edges are next to one another, eliminating large gaps; larger pieces are laid in "heavy-traffic" areas, then surrounded with smaller pieces.
They also study each piece carefully so that the "best" sides are laid face-up. Once they've positioned each piece, they press it down firmly by hand to help it stay in place (a rubber mallet also works well for this purpose). As they finish laying the stones in place, extra-small pieces are used to fill in some of the larger gaps.
Tip: Homeowner David Bouillez recommends walking across the path area before laying the stones in place to make it easy to see where the natural foot paths will fall. He steps down firmly to create footprints in the compacted filler, and Phelps simply lays the larger pieces of flagstone over the prints.
Finally, Phelps sprays the entire area thoroughly with water to help settle the stones in place.
Step Five: Filling the Gaps
To complete the patio, Phelps plants woolly thyme in the spaces between the flagstone, placing anywhere from one to three plants in each space, depending on how quickly he wants each particular area to fill out. (Phelps explains that woolly thyme is a great heat-tolerant plant that works well for full-sun areas, but says that blue star creeper makes a better choice for areas with dappled light; baby's tears is an ideal choice for full shade.)
After all the spaces have been planted with the groundcover, Phelps sweeps a high-quality organic vegetable garden-blend soil into the spaces, surrounding the young plants with the mix; this will provide them with the nourishment they need to thrive. Finally, he sweeps the excess dirt off the patio to reveal a beautiful, polished surface perfect for entertaining friends or just relaxing.
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