How to Lay Pavers on Grass: 10 Steps to Elevate Your Outdoor Space

Prepping to Lay Pavers on Grass

Before you dig in, consider whether no-dig pavers are right for you. If your yard suffers from erosion and shifting soil, this may not be the best option; the ground may shift beneath the paving slabs, causing unevenness over time. 

You'll also need to choose the right pavers. There are an array of paver choices. For a natural look, choose from:

• Fieldstone

• Flagstone

• Limestone

• Bluestone

• Travertine

Brick pavers give a high-end feel, while concrete pavers are ultra-modern.

Create the Layout

The first step is to create the layout for your walkway. Use a measuring tape and string tied to stakes to mark where each paver will go. Alternatively, use cardboard cut down to the same size as your pavers. Once you've completed the draft layout, take a step back and ensure you've got the look you want. 

Does it meander pleasingly with a free-spirited feel through your country garden? Is it a no-nonsense pathway that moves smoothly from point A to point B to suit a small, urban space? Ask yourself, would it benefit from the addition of a gentle curve? Should the walkway be more contemporary and straightforward? 

Once you finalize the layout, walk the path while avoiding tripping over the string. See if it feels comfortable walking from step to step. Are the pavers spaced close enough together to make traversing them easy and safe for older adults and young children? 

Once you've done these tests, you can adjust your layout and retest until you get it right. It might take you several attempts, but better to take the time now than to try to correct a problem after installation.

Smother the Grass

Now that you're happy with the layout, you've got to prepare the area. This will take some time because you won’t be digging. Cut thick, black plastic, like a heavy-duty pond liner, about 6 inches bigger than your pavers, and lay each piece over the area where each paver will sit.

Weight the plastic down with rocks and leave it in place for at least four weeks. This is known as soil solarization or soil sterilization. It works best if you do it in hot weather, as this heats the soil and essentially cooks roots, seeds, and pests. The process will also smother out any growing weeds. 

Clear the Bare Patches

Now that the grass is dead, the next step is to remove the black plastic and rake over the area to remove the dead grass and weed remnants. 

Get the Area Level

Take a look at the patches you've cleared for your stones. Test their levelness with your level, and fill in any gaps or grade each patch with sand until they're all level. If you skip this step, your pavers can shift and crack quickly.

Create a Solid Base

Tamp down the area with a tamping tool or paver compactor to get the surface hard and solid. Go over the base layer several times to create a hard base that will make a good bed for your pavers that won’t shift too quickly.

Lay Paver Edging

Take your no-dig paver edging and line the spaces for your pavers. Follow the manufacturer's directions. Usually, this involves laying down the edging and using a mallet or club hammer to drive the anchor spikes through the holes in the edging. 

Add Sand

Adding a layer of sand and tamping it down helps raise the pavers slightly over the height of the surrounding mowed lawn, creates a weed barrier, and acts as a level base to ensure stability.

Lay the Pavers

Now lay the pavers inside the edging to bring your walkway to life. A DIY walkway is just one of the many ways you can use pavers in your landscaping.

Seal the Joins (Optional)

If your walkway includes lots of small pavers butting up against one another, you'll need to break out the sand again. Pour sand over the top of your pavers, then take the broom and brush it into the gaps. This helps prevent weeds from pushing up and gives the walkway a nice, finished look.