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DIY Stone Steps for Your Garden

By Charles Mcraven
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The stones you use must be flat and heavy.
The stones you use must be flat and heavy.
Photo by Adobestock/floydine
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Measure the height of the slope from a level before beginning to build your stone steps.
Measure the height of the slope from a level before beginning to build your stone steps.
Illustration courtesy Storey Publishing
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Lay wide stones on a deep gravel bed for the first step, to ensure they don't settle and slant.
Lay wide stones on a deep gravel bed for the first step, to ensure they don't settle and slant.
Illustration courtesy Storey Publishing
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Avoid running joints when laying the second step, and place any rough edges at the back edge where they will be covered by the next step.
Avoid running joints when laying the second step, and place any rough edges at the back edge where they will be covered by the next step.
Illustration courtesy Storey Publishing
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If necessary, dig out more of the slope to accommodate the top step, rather than shortening the tread.
If necessary, dig out more of the slope to accommodate the top step, rather than shortening the tread.
Illustration courtesy Storey Publishing
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“Stone Primer,” by Charles McRaven is the essential guide for homeowners interested in diy stonework, from winding garden paths to fireplaces and stone retaining walls.
“Stone Primer,” by Charles McRaven is the essential guide for homeowners interested in diy stonework, from winding garden paths to fireplaces and stone retaining walls.
Cover courtesy Storey Publishing

Stone Primer (Storey Publishing, 2007), by Charles McRaven, presents basic techniques of stonework and dozens of projects for inspiration and practical guidance. Designs for the home include structural masonry and accents like fireplaces and countertops, while landscaping uses include retaining walls, stone bridges, and even stone sheds and water features. The following project is from chapter 3, “Paths and Patios.”

A 3-foot-wide set of stone steps will fit nicely with most paths and is easy to build. The stones you use must be flat and heavy enough to stay in place under foot traffic. It is very important to wedge stones, if necessary, so they are stable — a rocking stone step is very dangerous. As with flagstones, don’t be misled by nice wide slabs of stone that aren’t smooth on top. And remember that only the top surface and leading edge are visible in the finished product.

Laying Stone Steps

  1. First, estimate the slope by measuring its height from a level, allowing 16 inches for each tread and 6–7 inches for each riser.
  • Published on Jan 11, 2021
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