Stepping stones for your garden

Stepping stones are unique because they serve the dual purpose of providing a walkway in your yard or garden as well as a new design element. Oftentimes, people cut across their front lawns for an easy pathway to the front door. Since it's hard to change these habits, especially in larger families, rather than continually trying to grow grass over these depleted areas, consider simply making a pathway out of stepping stones. Stepping stones also make lovely paths to wander through garden and flowerbed areas.

Setting Up Your Stepping Stone Pathway

Stepping stones are extremely diverse in that they provide your lawn with a warm, romantic, even seductive, presence. Additionally, they often allow you access to delicate areas that should otherwise not be traipsed upon, such as the garden or flowerbed. Below are some tips on setting up your stepping stone path so that it is both useful and aesthetically pleasing.

• The first thing you need to do is choose your pathway and where it is going to lead. Oftentimes, your path or paths will be predetermined by the route you and your family already take through specific areas of your yard.

• The next thing you want to do is mark your path. The stepping stones you choose for your path should be approximately 18 inches in diameter and you want to leave about two foot, which is a normal stride for most people, between each stepping stone. Use a little flour to mark as closely as possible where the center of each stepping stone will be along the path.

• Once you have done this, figure out how many stones you will need for your path. Stepping stones can be purchases inexpensively at your local garden store. You will have a number of options including, size, color, material, shape, etc. so be sure to choose a stepping stone that meets your tastes as well as the overall design scheme of your home and lawn.

• The next step is to dig out small holes for your stepping stones to fit in. You can use a small shovel or grub axe to accomplish this. Try to make your holes a tad bit larger than the diameter of the stepping stones, but be sure that the holes are shallow enough to leave about a half-inch of stones above the ground.

• Use your hand or small shovel to pack the bottom of the hole until it is as flat and level as possible. Then spread layer of sand in the bottom of the hole, approximately one-half inch deep.

• Place the stone down inside the hole and pack the dirt around the edges. When you have done this, stand on top of the stone and jump up and down to pack the stone firmly into the ground.

• If your yard is made of thick clay or if you are simply having a lot of trouble getting the stones to lie down evenly, then use more sand to even out the base of the hole.

• As an optional addition, you might consider planting a few seedlings such as thyme to give your pathway a more lively appearance.

Making Your Own Stepping Stones

One of the biggest trends in pathways and walkways today is creating your very own stepping stones. This can be a fun, creative way to personalize your home and garden area. It's also an activity that the entire family can enjoy. Personalized stepping stones can make excellent gifts for housewarmings, weddings, or birthdays. Fun and easy to make, personalized stepping stones are a great alternative to store-bought ones.