I think your bigger ones suit the space better @LeadFarmer so good call! Ours are still sitting on the grass 😂 That's a fab path @M33R4, looks like a great space.
@LeadFarmer, I thought so with the first set of stones and still wonder it now: are you comfortable with the spacing of the stones? I feel they should be a bit closer.
@BenCotto yes it’s about right for me, I’m tall with a long stride and it’s only me who ever goes to the other end of the garden, and the stones are really just for when it’s wet. You can tell in the photo the battering the lawn has had over winter.
I laid three of the stones today, using a compacted sub base and mortar. I've adjusted the spacings to there will be nine in total.
I used a string line to get them lined up properly, cut around each stone with the blade of a spade, removed the stone and dug out to about 12cm depth, then added some MOT 1 sub base (bags from Wickes) in layers and using the end of my sledge hammer I tamped each layer down to compact it.
Then mixed some cement 5:1 ratio and spread that out over the sub base. I made a guide from timber to help indicate where the correct level of cement should come to..
Before placing each stone I brushed the back of them with some SBR slurry to help make a good bond between the stone and mortar. This was a 50:50 mix of SBR and water, with cement powder stirred in...
I then laid the stone and tamped it down with the handle end of the sledge hammer, using a spirit level to get them flat..
Only six more to do, but my arthritic knees got the batter of me today, so might do some more tomorrow.
I agree, good job! The grass will soon fill in the little gap around the edge, but you could fill in with some sand or soil to help it along.
Thanks, I've got some top soil and sharp sand to mix together, and some decent grass seed from Boston Seeds. I'll put some around the edge of each stone.
I also want to top rest the remainder of the lawn with it. Not much I can do about the heavy clay soil I'm on, I've previously cored holes in it and brushed in sand but the soil is so claggy I doubt it will make any difference. Maybe if I keep adding top dressing to build up the height might work? But then the stones will be too low!!!!
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I used a string line to get them lined up properly, cut around each stone with the blade of a spade, removed the stone and dug out to about 12cm depth, then added some MOT 1 sub base (bags from Wickes) in layers and using the end of my sledge hammer I tamped each layer down to compact it.
Then mixed some cement 5:1 ratio and spread that out over the sub base. I made a guide from timber to help indicate where the correct level of cement should come to..
Before placing each stone I brushed the back of them with some SBR slurry to help make a good bond between the stone and mortar. This was a 50:50 mix of SBR and water, with cement powder stirred in...
I then laid the stone and tamped it down with the handle end of the sledge hammer, using a spirit level to get them flat..
Only six more to do, but my arthritic knees got the batter of me today, so might do some more tomorrow.
Thanks, I've got some top soil and sharp sand to mix together, and some decent grass seed from Boston Seeds. I'll put some around the edge of each stone.
I also want to top rest the remainder of the lawn with it. Not much I can do about the heavy clay soil I'm on, I've previously cored holes in it and brushed in sand but the soil is so claggy I doubt it will make any difference. Maybe if I keep adding top dressing to build up the height might work? But then the stones will be too low!!!!