Yep, finished. Finit. Done.
Last weekend the last stage of the front walk project was completed. Every stone had to be leveled and the gaps between stones filled in.
First remove a paving stone that needs to be leveled.
Add crushed bluestone to the space where the paving stone used to be.
Distribute the crushed stone so that when you place the large stone on top, it is level with the stones around it.
Carefully replace the stone.
Check to make sure the stone is level with its neighbors.
Finally, shovel the same crushed bluestone onto the walk, and sweep it into the cracks.
That’s how my sons did it, at least. A lot of people would use sand for the leveling and joint-filling, but they thought the crushed bluestone would stay put better. They found a different use for the load of sand they had purchased for the project. Here’s a close-up view of part of the walk:
Here you can see how the crushed bluestone fills in the joints.
I’d say it’s one swell birthday present!
Previous Chapters in the Front Walk Story
In case you missed my earlier posts about the creation of our new front walk, I’ve listed them here for your convenience.
- The Front Walk: Conception
- Front Walk: Garden Design
- The Front Walk: Your Questions Answered
- The Front Walk: It’s Coming!
- The Front Walk: Excavation Begins!
- Front Walk Construction: Gravel in Place
- Stone Puzzle: The Front Walk Emerges
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Tagged as:
front walk,
paths
About the Author
Kathy Purdy is a colchicum evangelist, converting unsuspecting gardeners into colchicophiles. She gardens in rural upstate NY, which used to be USDA Hardiness Zone 4 but is now Zone 5. Kathy’s been writing since 4th grade, gardening since high school, and blogging since 2002. Find her on Instagram as kopurdy.
When dealing with frost it is always best to be paranoid. In the spring never think it is too late for one more frost to come. And in the fall never think it too early.
~Rundy
in
Frost
Nice and wide — perfect for those big stones. Now that they’re finished, I have a few tasks for your boys.
Beautiful walkway! I am still bummed about just missing out on some free flat rocks. By the time I rounded up my husband to help me (lift and load), and we drove back to the location where I spotted them, a man was loading the last rock into the back of his car. I love rocks and love your walkway. I think the crushed stone will work better as a filler for you. Sand has a way of shifting I would think.
Love how this came out – it looks so nice!
They did an excellent job, Kathy!
Kathy this looks gorgeous….a real focal point!!
Great job and I think that it meshes well with the house and gardens! Happy Finished Birthday!
Congratulations! Getting the mail from your mailbox will be so much more pleasant after a job well done.
A beautiful walk, and what wonderful sons you have to lay the stone! You have to be very proud of them all! Thanks for “walking” us through the design and build!
Beautiful! Great sons, you have. You will feel the love every time you walk on it.
I LOVE those stones. That walkway is beautiful!
Very nice! But I bet your sons had sore backs, those look very heavy!
It looks great!
Beautiful result…Love the how-to DIY photos.
That looks just fantastic — great proportions. You must be very pleased!
This looks amazing! And I think using larger pieces of stone really helps the walk look more solid and inviting, even though they were more work to install.
Thanks!