Low-cost D.I.Y. stepping stones for a rambling garden path made using chicken wire and cement as a budget alternative to bluestone or travertine pavers.
The project
I am currently creating a sanctuary garden in my backyard under a massive magnolia tree. When I first bought my home the yard was pretty bland, and under the tree was a big dirt patch where only weeds grew. I really wanted travertine or bluestone stepping stones to meander through a tropical garden but my budget just didn't allow for it due to the size of stepping stones I wanted. Although some of the materials add up I managed to reuse a few things lying around the house like the chicken wire, scrap timber and some cardboard boxes.
Check out how I made D.I.Y. stepping stones below and also take a look at my profile for other projects in my sanctuary garden like my frog hotel and lily pond.
Steps
Step 1
You need to make the stepping stone template. Cut a piece of cardboard 10cm high and as long as you wish (this will depend on the size of the stepping stones you want). Wrap the cardboard in the duct tape and join both ends together. Do a few of these so you can do a few at a time. I made five and reused them a few times.
Step 2
Prepare the area. I placed mine under a the tree in a bare dirt patch so there wasn't too much prep for me although I did flatten and compact the ground with a homemade tamper. You may also need to use sand or gravel here although I didn't my soil is quite sandy.
Step 3
Place a template in the shape you are wanting. Cut a piece of the plastic drop sheet and lay inside and peg template down. Cut chicken wire to size and place inside.
Step 4
Mix cement as per instructions on bag. Depending on your drill you can buy a mixer attachment or you can just mix by hand. Pour cement and level the best you can, remember you want them to look natural so I did this by hand and didn't make it too perfect.
Tip 1: Use safety gear while completing this.
Tip 2: Think about the colour of the stepping stones you want and use a cement that will help align with your vision.
Tip 3: White cement goes off quickly so do not let it sit too long before starting the project. Some of my stepping stones took a lot longer to get the look I wanted because of the lumps.
Step 5
After waiting a week take the template away, give the top and edges a light sand and seal.
Step 6
And finally, enjoy! I have started planting native violet and dichondra around mine.
Tools and materials
Materials used in the project:
Tools used in the project:
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More inspiration for your paving project
Bunnings Workshop member TaylerMayd laid a travertine pavers and gravel garden path.
Community member burnsie created a fire pit area with pavers and stones.
Get more inspiration from our collection of 20 paving ideas for outdoor entertaining areas and 10 paths and paving ideas.
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