At the end of my garden I have a section for raised beds. I used old but very large paving slabs and put down new paths between the beds. I just levelled the earth and laid the slabs straight down. None have moved or sunk, but that will depend on your soil type. Ultimately the longer you spend doing a job, the better it will be.
Laying paving slabs direct onto earth
- Thread starter mutley11
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I have some basic paths between my veg beds made from slabs on ~5cm sharp sand. Yes they do move, because the soil moves as it dries and wets. The only way to avoid that is to have a soil that does not move, or put a thick layer of ballast followed by sand followed by slabs. But for a basic path or patio, where you don't mind a rustic look, just put down some sand then slabs. If they move a bit, jump up and down to re-level. 
You can put slabs on earth, but it is hard to level the earth if stony.
You can put slabs on earth, but it is hard to level the earth if stony.
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