How to Lay Paving Slabs on Grass

As the seasons change and the weather improves, you’ll be tempted to spend more time in your garden and generally wish to enjoy being outdoors more. That’s perfectly natural. Your garden is your safe space, your oasis and you’ll want it to look as good as possible for both you and your guests, as well as enjoy a sense of calm and peace that being in a garden can bring about.

One of the ways you can do this and spruce up your garden at the same time is by laying paving slabs on your lawn, creating a pathway that will help you accentuate your garden’s beautiful features. Paving slabs also make a great alternative to decking, if you are on a tight budget. So:

• If you would like to find out how to lay paving slabs or stepping stones on grass, and 
• You would like to give your garden a quick and easy makeover then this post is for you.

How to lay paving slabs on grass

Grass paving doesn’t have to be a complicated process, although it might seem so at first sight. If you are a DIY enthusiast and you would like to take this task on by yourself, then you will need to plan ahead by getting the right materials and tools you’ll need to get this project off the ground (pun intended).

So, here’s what you’ll need:

• Lump hammer
• Disk grinder
• Hammer drill
• Wood block
• Chisel
• Rake
• Spirit level
• Tape measure
• Protective clothing such as gloves
• Sting and pegs
• Sand
• Landscaping fabric
• Plan your path

It’s always good to put your thoughts down on paper before you pick up the paving slab and get on with the job at hand. This is why we suggest you take some time out and first draw the area in your garden that will be affected, taking into account the desired patterns and paving slabs.

When planning, make sure your newly-paved space has proper spacing between each of the paving slabs and that the path is laid out in either a straight line, a zig-zag or a circular pattern all while ensuring that these patterns are consistent and evenly spaced out.

Take into account the size of your paving slabs as this will also affect your space. In addition, consider where your paving slabs will be laid out – if they will be laid out adjacent to your property, you should think about creating a small downward slope that leans away from your home so that any rain or water drains off into the grass and doesn’t lean into your property, causing further indoor water damage. 

Remove the grass and soil

Next, when you have planned out your paving space, place the paving slabs in the pattern that you would like the final result to look like on top of the grass. Then, using a garden trowel, cut all around the paving slabs so that you are later able to remove the grass and soil.

Once you’ve done this, it’s time to take the trowel and remove the grass and soil from beneath the paving slabs. Make sure that the depth of the soil is the right fit for your paving slab. In other words, look at the depth of the paving slab itself and determine whether you’d like it to be level with or above the grass, while also considering the added sub base layer that will be added later on.

Consider the edging

You will also need to keep in mind the type of edging that the paving slabs will have. The edging refers to the corners of the paving which will meet one another when laid out flat on the ground. Measure twice and cut once, as the saying goes. Consider using string and pegs to ensure an accurate edging. 

Apply a sub base

First, add sand to the newly-dug hole so that you start evening it out all while ensuring that your final paving slab will not rock, warp, crack or become damaged later on through use and general wear and tear. Use a rake to level out the sand and to see that it is evenly spread out. You can also use a wooden block to press down on the sand and a lump hammer to hammer out any uneven bumps or uneven surfaces.

Once you’ve raked it, use a spirit level to ensure that the entire bottom of the hole is levelled in order to take on the new paving slab. Add landscape fabric on top of the sand that you’ve put in the existing hole. This type of fabric will ensure that weeds and other vegetation doesn’t penetrate through the paving slabs later on and damage them.

Lay your grass paving

Now that you have prepared the sub base for your paving slabs on your grass, wait 24 hours for the base to settle. After this 24-hour period, lay the paving in the newly dug-out holes on top of the sand and landscape fabric sub base.


How to lay stepping stones on grass 

Laying a path on a lawn can be a very interesting way of creating a new direction in your garden and leading your visitors to attractive features in it. This procedure is not much different to what was discussed above. First, plan where your stepping stones will go on the grass making sure they are evenly spaced out. Some of them might need to be cut to better fit.

You can cut your paving slabs either with a chisel and hammer or a power tool with the right blade. Then, lay all stepping stones out on the grass itself and using a tape measure, measure the distance between them ensuring it is even for a more symmetrical effect.

Next, place the stepping stones on the grass. Using a garden trowel, remove all grass and soil from underneath it by first cutting around the stepping stones to ensure that the rest of your lawn isn’t affected. Apply the subbase: add sand to the hole, raking it out to ensure it’s even. If uneven, use a lump hammer and wooden block to level the surface out. Wait a period of 24 hours for the sand to settle. You’re now ready for laying stepping stones on the grass.

Contact the professionals

At Fantastic Services, we take pride in the years of experience in helping homeowners improve the look and feel of their homes – whether inside or outside. This is why we offer professional paving services to help you create the desired look in and around your garden.

If you feel that you don’t have enough time or the right skills to lay the paving on your own, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Fantastic Services.

Takeaways: 

• Prepare your tools and materials 
• Plan your paving or stepping stone project
• Remove grass and soil under which your stepping or paving stones will go 
• Prepare the foundation with sand and landscape fabric
• Make sure that the depth of the dug-out hole is even throughout
• Wait 24 hours for the sand to settle
• Add the stepping stones or paving on the newly created sub base 

Want to share your thoughts with us? Don’t hesitate to leave your comments below.

Imagesource: shutterstock/rodho