Laying slabs 'free' in lawn

[flimflam_machine]

I want to lay some granite slabs (300 x 900 x 20mm) into our lawn. The plan is to create a path by laying them across the direction of walking with a gap (about 150 mm) in between. Think 'zebra crossing' and you'll have a fairly good mental image. The gaps will either remain lawn or be planted something that is hardy enough to be stepped on (and smells nice when you do). Ideally the top of the slabs will be flush with the lawn. The lawn is slightly sloping and generally dry, but can get a bit sodden if there are days and days of rain.

What's the procedure for laying slabs in isolation in a lawn? Do you use something like a edge spots i.e., a mortar bed smaller than the slab, or a mortared edge i.e., a mortar bed larger than the slab? (I'm looking here: http://www.pavingexpert.com/layflag2.htm). A larger mortar bed would obviously be more solid, but as the slabs are pretty thin it would be hard to hide the mortared edge.

Thanks in advance.

[Pablo]

Place the slabs out dry on the lawn where you want them to go. Use the slab as a template and cut around it and remove the topsoil. Compact the hole base with a the end of a sledgehammer and fill the hole with lean mix sand and cement and bed the flag onto it until level with the lawn. No need for bases or additional support etc they shouldn't move. If you wanted you could make the mix stronger and stickier but it'll only be a hassle if you have to reposition them in the future if you re-do the lawn etc.



Edited By Pablo on 1282304699

[seanandruby]

You can get a hand rammer from wickes £21.99 but maybe cheaper if you shop around.

[flimflam_machine]

Thanks for the advice pablo. I assume that I should lay the slabs on a wet mix. Is there a minimum depth of sand/cement mix that I should be aiming for?

Also, we may dig out between the slabs in the future to plant sprawling plants rather than leaving it as lawn. Would it be necessary and possible to contain the cement base within a sunken plastic edging (a bit like lawn edging) to prevent it being broken up by digging and/or roots growing into it? Does such an edging exist?

[Pablo]

You're thinking to much just dig a hole chuck a wettish mix in and be done with it. Minimum depth of 50mm but will be deeper depending on your topsoil.