Find Your Way with Stepping Stones

One of the most underappreciated landscaping home improvement projects is the simple addition of stepping stones to your garden and lawn areas. Stepping stones are an easy way to add texture, contrast, and convenient pathways to your landscaping design. If you're looking for a low cost, attractive, landscaping addition to your property, the world of stepping stones is one you ought to explore.

Stepping Stone Design
What you want to achieve with the addition of stepping stones to your property depends in a large part on the type of landscaping design you hope to accomplish. When most homeowners think stepping stones, they conjure up images of single, spread out, sandstone steps that meander through flower gardens, and around patios and decks. While that might be exactly what you're shooting for, natural stone design is only scratching the surface of what is possible in your landscape and gardens.

Natural Stone
Since we've already brought it up, natural stone is a perfect solution to stepping stone pathways and designs. Sandstone, slate, and flagstone, are the most popular stones for this use, since they are easily cut, set, and fit to specific areas. They also fit well into more natural landscape designs, where natural stone borders and walls have been utilized. And, as far as installation goes, they are also a do-it-yourselfer favorite, since basic installation only requires the homeowner to dig a small hole, fill it with a sand base, and then set the stone where desired. Also, think about installing single, natural stone stepping stones in areas where you want to encourage garden voyagers to avoid trampling less conspicuous flowers and ground cover.

Stone Pavers
Not all homeowners are set on natural design, however, when it comes to garden pathways and stepping stones. For these homeowners, stone pavers are probably the answer. In fact, paving stones (which come in interlocking varieties, if so desired) are quite economical compared to natural stone alternatives. Since they are usually made from concrete, the cost for creating an extensive garden path is greatly reduced from both material and labor standpoint. And since technology now allows for faux stone pavers to be manufactured that mimic natural stone, this choice is a no-brainer for many homeowners. From an installation standpoint, stone pavers take the cake over natural stone, as well. They are easier to install, and as mentioned before, are usually pre-cast to fit together without a hitch. If your goal is a uniform, structured, pathway through your garden landscaping, choosing stone pavers over natural stone will save you considerable costs in both materials and workmanship.

Talk to a Landscaper
If you're considering installing stepping stones to your garden or landscape design, talk to a landscape contractor about which materials are going to look best with your vegetation, your home, and your overall landscaping. Doing so will ensure your new pathways will blend seamlessly with your current design, and having them installed professionally will ensure a garden path that you can enjoy worry free for years to come.