Most backyards have an old patch of lawn around the house, worn by years of constant human and pet traffic. Many home-owners solve the problem with a concrete path, but what about a more visually exciting alternative? Roger Apte demonstrated how to lay a stepping stone path using sandstone flagging.
Other choices
Stepping stones style paths can be made from:
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Granite pavers: strong material available in many colours. Pavers are available in two different heights, at a cost of $9 per paver, from landscaping suppliers or Katsu Trading, 21 Sydney Road, Benalla, VIC, 3672. Phone: (1800) 628 868.
- Porphrystone: a type of volcanic rock quarried in North Queensland. The pavers come in two sizes and cost between $2 and $8 each paver. To find out your nearest supplier, contact JML International. Phone: (02) 9956 3859.
- Circular Flying Stones: granite block either rough or smooth cut, in two sizes. As these stones are hand-carved and imported from China, they are an elegant but more expensive choice. Prices are between $35 and $70 per stone. Available only from Imperial Garden Landscape, 18 Myoora Road, Terrey Hills, NSW, 2084. Phone: (02) 9450 2455.
- Natural stone is readily available from major nurseries and landscape suppliers. It looks great in native plant or informal gardens and costs about $35 per square metre (about five stones).
- Concrete pavers: available in a range of sizes and colours. Prices start from about $3.75 per paver at most major nurseries, hardware stores and landscape suppliers.
- Tobi-steps: modelled on the Japanese tobi ishi stepping stone. They are made of durable treated wood and are manufactured in Australia. To maintain these stones, apply an oil or decking finish. As Tobi-steps sit on top of the ground and are not actually embedded in the lawn, they have to be picked up before you mow the lawns. Prices range from $10 to $25 for each unit, from Space Saver, 107 Shirley Road, Roseville, NSW, 2069. Phone: (02) 9415 6088.
Building a path
Position your path by placing and rearranging stones until a desired look is achieved. Make sure that the distance you leave between each stone allows you to negotiate the path at a comfortable walking pace: About 550mm (22″) from the centre of each stone to the next is a good guide, although if the area is to be used by children, the stones may need to be closer together. Hint: If the stones have an awkward or sharp corner, knock it off with a gentle tap with a bolster and hammer.
Mark around the edge of the first stone with a spade. Remove the stone, and dig out to a depth equal to the thickness of the stone plus 50mm. Tip: Any grass removed can be used to repair bare patches elsewhere in the lawn.
Make a mix to bed the stone of 4 parts sand to 1 part concrete. Fill the hole to a depth of 50mm.
Try the stone for size in the hole, making sure that the stone is at the same level as soil (that is, below the level of the grass). This allows the grass to be mowed easily, and stops everyone tripping over the stone.
Remove the stone, and check that the concrete mix is level using a timber float. Lightly wet the surface of the mix with a fine spray of water and bed the stone in place. Tap it gently with a rubber mallet or hammer onto a piece of wood. This ensures the stone sits firmly in the mix.
Backfill to the edges of the stone with leftover soil.
Cost
Sandstone flagging costs $35 a square metre (about five stones). Roger needed 13 stones, at a total cost of $95. The stones required four bags of cement/sand mix, at a total cost $23.80. Total cost: around $120.
