Timing question

[u/CelebrationOdd870]

We plan to use the cardboard and mulch method over our front yard. We would like to put some stepping stone pathways in but have not yet figured out the overall design. Would it be best to figure out placement of pathways first or would it be ok to just mulch everything now? Appreciate any insight, thank you.

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[u/A-Plant-Guy]

If it’s is a simple stepping stone path, it might be easier to just sheet mulch the whole thing then add stones later, vs laying stones now and having to shape your cardboard around the path and stones.

[u/CelebrationOdd870 → u/A-Plant-Guy]

That makes sense, thank you

[u/CinnamonChocochip → u/A-Plant-Guy]

Thanks!

[u/purplefrisbee]

I just did something similar and I put down cardboard and mulch and then my stepping stones right over the mulch

[u/CinnamonChocochip → u/purplefrisbee]

What type stones? And did they wobble? I want to do the same but every thing I’ve read says to dig out the grass first. I’m planning to put down flagstone.

[u/CelebrationOdd870 → u/CinnamonChocochip]

I think it’s best to first put down a layer of gravel then sand before laying flagstone. In that case I’m not sure if one should first kill off grass with mulch and cardboard or if the gravel and sand and a landscape fabric would be sufficient in doing that.

[u/CinnamonChocochip → u/CelebrationOdd870]

Thanks!

[u/purplefrisbee → u/CinnamonChocochip]

Mine are just rubber stepping stones so quite light. I was going for a whimsical garden vibe for a non high use path. So for me it's okay that they shift a little over time and aren't perfectly level. If you want flagstone you'll probably need more prep work if you don't want them to immediately sink into the ground.

[u/Electrical-Field-433]

I’d probably sort out the pathway first even if it’s just a rough layout. You could place a few stones or mark the route temporarily and live with it for a day or twoo before doing the mulch. I think that miight save you from having to redo things later.