When you find a great sale, sometimes it's better to buy now and ask, "Now what?" later. That's what Ana Illausky of York, S.C. did when she ran across a great sale on paving stones last year; she purchased 1,000 of them without a plan. "Months had passed and it finally came to me what we could do to utilize the inexpensive stones," she writes in her Hometalk post describing the project.
She decided to construct planter boxes from the stones, then plant perennials for a year-round view. "I just love how this came out next to my crafting cottage where I spend a lot of time enjoying nature!" she writes. Constructing the 8' planter box used up about three-fourths of the paving stones she had.
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The first step is crucial -- making sure the area of the planter box is level before laying down the first paving stone. Illausky and her helper dug out the area, then used paving base for a solid foundation.
When the base was ready they began laying the stones in an overlapping pattern, using mortar glue to hold things in place.
Once the stones were in place, it was just a matter of filling the planter with soil, planting perennials, and adding Illausky's favorite garden decor. Complete instructions can be found in her Hometalk post, including her answers to readers' questions about the project.
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Still asking "Now what?" because you have more leftover paving stones? Try making a convenient walkway in playful patterns, or beautiful edging for garden beds. If you're feeling particularly productive, the kids would appreciate a sandbox or fishpond. With a little imagination (and paving base), there's no end to the stylish and practical items you can build with paving stones!
Please share this article with anyone you know that's asking, "Now what?"