This article describes how to create a small path of rustic materials that crosses your garden.
Steps
Step 1. Make your own path
If you need to make a winding path, a garden hose can help you mark, but you can also use spray paint directly on the ground or some pegs and twine.
Step 2. Calculate how many square meters will be along the path
Determine how much material is needed. On the one hand, if you are using found materials, such as stones, simply continue to collect them and place them on the proposed path until you are done. If you're shopping for slabs to lay, the home and garden store has calculators to calculate the number you need. Always consider a minimum of 10% waste when ordering plates. Read the label of the sandbags sold by the DIY store to calculate how many square meters you can lay with a bag. Divide the square meters of the path by the square meters that can be placed with a bag, to determine the number of bags you need. If you need to calculate in tons, ask the distributor to do the calculation for you, bearing in mind that the sand bed is about 2.5cm thick. to be multiplied by the square meters of the path to determine the volume. Whichever way you buy the sand, add an extra amount to level the path and fill in the gaps between the stones. Sand mortar, which has a finer grain than all-purpose sand, is fine for filling joints, especially thinner ones.
Step 3. Before starting to dig the path, make sure there are no lines or conduits for utility services or irrigation lines in the area where you are making the path
Make sure you do all the necessary investigations and, if necessary, call the service providers, especially if you need to build a compacted base and have to dig deep into the earth. Worry about identifying the lines of your irrigation system.
Step 4. Remove existing sod and soil using flat shovels
Keep in mind the thickness of the flooring material you will be using to determine the depth you need to dig. 2.5 cm is needed for the sand bed, plus the thickness of the slab. If you're using a compacted base, don't forget to add it. It will take about 2.5 cm for coarse sand + about 6 cm for coarse slabs. In total about 7.5 cm. for the excavation, considering that the slabs will be partially drowned in the sand. Make sure you get rid of the excavated soil and the rest, so that the soil drains properly. Don't pile it up on the trail.
Step 5. Once the area is dug, make sure the underlying soil is slightly damp, and compact the soil using a heavy flat object or plate compactor
Check the slope if you are building your path directly near your home, to be sure to keep the water away from the foundations. For each linear meter, there should be a difference in height of about 2 cm. Adjust the slope as needed.
Step 6. Insert at least two pipes directly onto the compacted soil
Keep them apart and parallel to each other. Moisten but do not saturate the sand between the pipes. Use a shovel and rake to smooth. Push the wooden level between the pipes several times until the sand is perfectly smooth. Do this over the whole area. Remove the pipes and fill the cavities with sand. Level these areas with a square trowel. Do not step on or move level sand.
Step 7. Make a first laying of slabs along the side edges, then place the rest in the desired configuration
Continue placing the slabs on the sand, but avoid dragging them and moving the sand. Use the other slabs already laid to determine where to put the new one. Cut the plates as needed.
Step 8. Compact the plates using something heavy and flat
(A plate compactor should definitely be used for large areas, to be sure not to form tripping steps.) Jumping up and down on the slabs until they are level works well in small areas. Make at least four passes over all the slabs, starting from the outside of the paved surface and working around the edges inwards. Then compact back and forth like when you mow the grass. If you want, you can remove and replace any broken or chipped sheet. Line up the joints. A large screwdriver is fine for aligning the joints between the sheets.
Step 9. Sprinkle dry grout sand on the surface and sweep it into the grout
Vibrate and compact the sand in the joints, sweeping and compacting it as you go. Filling the joints with sand will take several steps. After compaction, the sand in the joints can settle especially after some storms. Apply more sand to fill these joints as needed. Remove excess sand by sweeping it. Apply a sealant if you want.
Advice
- Use large stones at the edge of the path to hold the slabs or other materials you used in place and to create a more rustic look.
- Planting low plant borders on each side makes your path even cuter.
Warnings
- If you live in a cold or humid climate, you need to install a compact base first, which is not covered here. You can make a trail without a base, but you'll likely need to level it back after the first winter. Ask your garden shop for information on installing a compact base.
- Avoid using smooth or rounded slabs, stones or tiles on top as they can create a slippery and dangerous path.
