How to Make Stepping Stones

by Alden Smith

One of the easiest things to do to embellish your flower garden and beds is to use stepping stones.  Not only do they add a quaint charm to the setting, they also give you a path to your flowers so that you don't trample the greenery, or get your shoes clogged full of dirt.

Stepping stones are relatively easy to make, and you can let that suppressed artist in you loose by getting very creative with the manufacture of stepping stones.  The first step should always be deciding what you attempt to accomplish in your garden.  Lay out a rough sketch of your garden, and decide where to place your stepping stones.  Going into the garden will give you an idea of what size to choose, too!  Let's begin with a list of materials you will need to make and decorate your new stepping stones.

            1. Newspaper or an old oilcloth to protect your work space.
            2. molds to make the stepping stones in.  You can buy these cheaply at craft stores.
            3. Concrete
            4. Water to mix the concrete with.
            5. hardware cloth or old screen for reinforcement.
            6. A measuring cup, to insure you mix the concrete in correct proportions.
            7. An old serving spoon, to fill your molds.
            8. A large plastic tub to mix the concrete in.
            9. Protective clothing, including rubber gloves, and eye goggles to protect the eyes.
            10. Concrete dyes, to color the concrete to your choice.

There are two types of concrete that you can use for the manufacture of stepping stones.  One, quick-setting concrete, is available at hardware and home improvement centers. The cheapest to buy is Quikrete, at about two dollars for a 60 pound bag.  It is, however, a bit pebbly, and you may wish to purchase a large sieve to filter out the larger materials.

The second is stepping stone concrete, available at many craft centers.  This type of concrete is made especially for stepping stones, so is of course a bit more expensive.  Average cost for making one stepping stone is in the neighborhood of five dollars.  If you are a perfectionist, or are only planning on making one or two stepping stones, then this may be the right choice for you.

When making stepping stones and working with concrete, it is essential that you use protective clothing.  Concrete on the bare skin burns, and if it gets on the bare skin, wash immediately with warm soapy water.

The best way to mix concrete is to measure the concrete first and place it in the mixing tub.  Add the water last - you want to end up with concrete at the consistency of cake batter.  Too much water, and the concrete will fail to cure.  It is much easier to get the proportions correct by doing it this way.  Now is the time to apply the concrete dye of your choice.  Directions for correct proportions should be on the label directions.

Lay out your mold.  A good thing to do is to go to the local thrift shop and purchase old serving tins or cookie sheets to work on.  Spray this surface with WD-40, and place your mold in the center of the cookie sheet.  Fill the mold halfway with concrete, using the old serving spoon you gathered for this task.  shake the tray around to dislodge any bubbles in the concrete.  You don't need to work quickly with concrete, but you don't want to be disturbed in the middle of the process, either.  When half full, cut a sheet of hardware cloth in the same pattern as you mold, cutting it a little smaller than the actual size.  Place this reinforcement in the mold, and again apply concrete until the mold is full.

Allow the concrete five minutes to rest before adding your choice of decorations for the stepping stone.  A few things you might consider are pebbles from a fish tank, old marbles, small mosaic tiles, stained glass, or old mementos.  Keys and even old coins are used.

Allow 20 minutes of drying time before you attempt to write your name or a witty slogan in  your stepping stone.  If the imprint fills with water, then simply smooth it out and wait an additional 5 minutes or so and begin again. Allow 30 minutes of drying time before adding hand or foot prints.

Allow the stepping stone to dry for at least 48 hours.  Turn the mold over, placing an old towel on the work surface.  Gently tap the mold, and it will release the stepping stone.  You can now paint the stone if you wish.

Stepping stone molds can be made out of just about anything, from old cake pans to pizza boxes.  The possibilities are endless.  Be as creative or as simplistic as you wish.  Decorate them with anything you can conjure up in your imagination.  How about plastic glow in the dark images, such as moon and stars that are often used to decorate children's rooms?  You can tiptoe through the tulips at night, and find your way easily.  Or go once again to the thrift shop, and buy old flower vases that are cut glass.  Break them into pieces, and press into the concrete when it is time to decorate.  Let your imagination be your guide.

When placing the stones in your garden or on walkways that are high traffic areas, be sure to have them set deep enough into the ground so that they are not a tripping hazard.  If you use them in a grassy area that might be mowed, also insure they are deep enough.  Making stepping stones is easy, and only limited by your imagination.  Try it today!

Alden Smith is an award winning author and regular contributor to DoItYourself.com. He writes on a variety of subjects, and excels in research.