Installing garden paving slabs yourself is easy and affordable! You could pay someone to do it but that can get costly. With a little planning you can do it yourself.

When beginning to plan a paving project consider the following; the purpose of your pavers (a pathway, a patio, a border for a flower bed, or an accent?), the size and general topography of the area you wish to pave, and the type of paving slab you will use.

Start with a plan. Measure the area you will be paving and draw your design on graph paper so you can get a rough scale. You can be general but the more detail you include the easier it will be to apply that sketch to your project. Remember to consider the topography - is the ground flat? Is there adequate drainage?

Next you should think about materials. They should include a base layer, paver slabs, and edging. Consider the sub-base layer when choosing your base. Is it soft? If so you will need something substantial like gravel or crushed stone. If your sub-base is firm you can use gravel, stone, or something finer like sand.

What kind of paver slabs should you use in your garden? There are two basic choices. You can pour your own or you can purchase pre-made slabs. The pre-made garden pavers are by far the best option for neatness and efficiency. If you choose to make your own pavers it can be done but it will be messy! You will need to build a form, choose a material to pour, and have a sizable workspace. That said, the pre-made slabs come in a variety of materials and are relatively inexpensive.

Edging is important in the installation of pavers. It ensures that the slabs don't move and that the ground beneath them doesn't erode and cause shifting. There are many types of edging but the most durable, affordable, and easiest to use is plastic.

Now that you have a plan and materials you can get started! Excavate the ground by digging it as level as you can. It is best to spread your base layer in three sections and to compact each layer. This ensures that you have an even, solid foundation. Lay your paver slabs down according to your diagram being sure to leave space for the edging. Install your edging and your project is complete!