Frequently Asked Questions
Can you lay stepping stones on soil?
Although laying garden stepping stones straight onto your soil might sound like an easy fix, for best results, you should lay them on a bed of mortar. A sub-base will prevent the stones from shifting across the topsoil and ensures your paving is consistently level and evenly spaced. Decorative stepping stones give your family and guests an easy, attractive path through your garden.
Whether you want to create a winding road towards your flower beds or a straight walkway across your lawn, making your stepping stones last requires the removal of any grass, weeds, or other vegetation from where you want to place the stones. Then, you should ensure the soil is level and compacted before applying your mortar.
How do you fit stepping stones in a garden?
If fitting garden stepping stones is your next creative project, here are some steps to get you on your way:
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Select the right type of stepping stones: The stepping stones you choose depend on what you want to create. Do you want to create a meandering path across your lawn? Use round stepping stones arranged in a loose path.
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Plan the layout: Determine the best placement for the stepping stones by considering the natural flow of the garden and how people will walk through it. We recommend sketching the layout to help you visualise the final result.
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Prepare the area: Remove grass, weeds or vegetation from your lawn. Place your stepping stones down and mark out the turf around them using a half-moon edging tool.
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Lay your mortar: A compacted mortar level will prevent your garden stepping stones from moving over time. Remove the area of turf you just marked out, lay your mortar and bind the stone to the cement mixture for stable placement.
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Soften the edges: Once your decorative stepping stones are firmly in place, brush any remaining soil, grass or vegetation around the edges to make the paving look more natural.
What do you put around stepping stones?
You can put many things around stepping stones to enhance their appearance and functionality. Here are a few ideas:
How do you edge around stepping stones?
Edging around stepping stones can help to define the path and create a neat, finished look. Here's how to do it!
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Choose the right edging material: Edging your garden stepping stones can hold your soil in place, protect your lawn and keep mulch in place when it rains. Purchase a style of edging that best compliments your stones, whether you opt for Round Top Edging or decorative Half Rope Top Edging in Terracotta.
What size gap should I leave between stepping stones?
The placement of your garden stepping stones depends on how large they are, their shape and the overall look you want to achieve. However, as they’re stepping stones, you’ll want to leave at least a step’s distance between them.
The average human step is between 2.1 and 2.5 feet wide (or 64 to 75cm), which is a good benchmark to consider. However, every home is different, and the length of your stride is largely dependent on height. Ultimately, the gap size between your stepping stones will depend on your personal preferences and the specific requirements of your garden or walkway.