Using dry stone rocks/stones as gravel path edging

[dgreg]

Hi there,

I've excavated a channel for a garden path and am looking to use a large number of quite large and heavy rocks (size of a football to perhaps 2ft by 2ft) I've reclaimed from an old garden dry stone wall for edging. I've found nothing on how to approach this but my intention was type 1 then gravel.

My issue is when to lay out the edging. Before the first layer of MOT and i may not be able to compact between the gaps in the rocks but i also don't want to risk the MOT breaking apart because the edging isn't containing it from the base.

How should i go about this? It was suggested i should lay half the sub base, lay the edging and then the remainder of the sub base but i wonder if that first layer would break apart because it's just on the ground with nothing containing it.

Thoughts most welcome but I do want to use the rocks... buying dedicated edging isn't really a option.

Thanks!

 

[StephenOak]

You are more likely to get help if you post in the appropriate section. The Moderators can move this for you. Click on 'Report' to ask for that.

 

[scbk]

I say don't overthink it, it's just a garden path. Put the boulders in, lay the sub base/scalpings, then compact what you can.

The downside with using big stones is if you want to cut the grass on the sides, it'll be slower and more fiddly.

 

[dgreg]

I say don't overthink it, it's just a garden path. Put the boulders in, lay the sub base/scalpings, then compact what you can.

The downside with using big stones is if you want to cut the grass on the sides, it'll be slower and more fiddly.

I think you're right. I'm not building a driveway.

I'll be having borders on the otherside of the edging to avoid the mowing issue you mention.

 

[Odds]

You say the rocks are 'the size of a football' but how flat are they, and will you mix n' match them into the path to fit alongside the stone edging?
A weed membrane is often used to prevent too much growth between the stones and a pic of the site would help with further suggestions...