How to Prepare a Yard for Landscape Stone

Landscape stone has many uses in the yard. You might want to create pathways through a garden or yard using a small amount of landscape stone, or you might want to create a large patio. Whatever type of project you're considering, preparing the yard before you begin is very important. If you don't take the right precautions, your patio might not be level or your path might sink into the grass with heavy rains.

Level

Measuring tape

Lawn mower

Knife

Spade

Crushed rock

Sand

Landscaping stone

Mow the lawn before you begin. You'll have to take up the grass before you lay landscape stone, and a cleanly mowed lawn makes this job a little easier.

Check the dimensions of your project. If you're doing a large-scale project this is more important than a simple walkway. Grounds-mag.com suggests adding 10 percent to your dimensions if you're working on an area with lots of curves.

Lay out the landscaping stone in the pattern you desire for a walkway. Check to make sure you're satisfied.

Cut around the edges of the landscape stone with a knife. Pull the stone away and take out the grass that lies beneath the stone using your knife and spade. Pour crushed rock in the hole you created. Crushed rock will prevent your stones from sinking into the yard.

Use a spade to remove the grass for the entire area of the patio or large project you're planning. Laying the stone directly over the grass won't stop the grass from growing.

Cover the area with crushed rock, making a 4-inch thick base. Spread sand over the crushed rock. Now you can lay your landscaping stone in the pattern you desire.