How to Build a Rock Sidewalk

Constructing a rock sidewalk is an uncomplicated, albeit heavy, one- or two-day project that adds visual interest and appeal plus monetary value to any home. Turn a bland yard into a walk-through garden or create a useful pathway to your home using flat rocks. If you desire, purchase materials, such as bluestone, flagstone or slate, for your walkway, possibly spending hundreds of dollars. Alternatively, scavenge for flat, backyard rocks or field stones from 1- to 3-inches thick, costing nothing more than your time. Either way, with some basic tools and a little sand and gravel, you can build an attractive, practical, long-lasting walkway.

2 garden hoses

Lawn-edger (optional)

Shovel

Wheelbarrow

Pruning shears

Landscape matting

Pea gravel

Rake

Plate tamper

Sand

Broom

Pry-bar

Plot the direction of your walkway by standing back to evaluate the visual interest and practical foot-traffic flow required around your yard. Let your creative mind wander; a stone path can curve, narrow, broaden and meander for optimum, decorative oomph.

Arrange a garden hose on each side of the envisioned path simulating the sidewalk's edges. A flexible hose allows you to stay on course while edging the path.

Cut into the ground along the outside edge of the hoses to map the path's course with a lawn-edger or shovel. Remove the hoses after you have an outline of your entire pathway.

Dig out the whole sidewalk area to a depth of roughly 4 inches. Place the excavated soil in a wheelbarrow as you work. Utilize an old pair of pruning shears to remove any stubborn roots. Dispose of the removed earth or use it elsewhere in your yard.

Lay landscape matting over the base of the dug-out path to deter future weeds and roots from growing up between the rocks.

Transport and pour a layer of pea gravel covering the mat to approximately 2 inches below ground level, using the wheelbarrow. Spread the gravel with a rake forming an eyeballed level base for the flat rocks.

Pound the pea gravel to create a firm base with the plate tamper. You may prefer to rent an industrial tamper for a large area. Buy or rent a hand tamper for a smaller project or awkward spaces.

Place the rocks on the stabilized base, flattest, or smooth-side up, arranging one at a time. Work the rocks into place by wiggling them into the gravel until they form a cohesive merging from the ground level to the surface of each rock avoiding uneven edges, which could cause someone to trip or fall when using the sidewalk. Keep the rocks tightly spaced forming a jigsaw-puzzle-like path for the safest and most appealing walkway.

Sprinkle sand over the sidewalk and sweep it along with a broom, filling the cracks. Spray the walkway with water and repeat the sand-filling process, if needed.

Test the stability of your sidewalk by walking over it. If any rocks wiggle, or seem high-sided, pry them out with a pry-bar, rearrange the gravel underneath and replace, tamping the rock with your foot and refilling the cracks for a solid finish.

Use flat, 4-inch metal edging along the sides of a dug-out path to ensure the sides of the walkway set in soft ground, holding the rocks in place over the years.

For additional flexibility, or a more complexly designed sidewalk, use rope instead of hose to form your path.

Use durable, leather work gloves when handling heavy, jagged rocks to help protect your hands.