Natural Paths and Walkways

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You'll need a half-sheet (4'x4') of 1/2"-thick exterior-grade plywood to make the form. Tools include a circular saw to cut the square outer rim of the form, and a drill/driver and drill bit to make a hole to admit the (plywood-cutting) blade of a saber saw, which will cut out the rock shapes from inside the forms. A drum sander for the drill will help to sand the insides of the form smooth. Latex window caulking goes in the inside of the form to smooth it, and a good enamel paint over that to seal it. Also, get enough hardware cloth (wire that's woven loosely and soldered together) to make reinforcements the size of each rock you plan to make.

For each rock, trace the pattern on a square of plywood, and use the drill and saber saw to remove the paver-shaped center. Use the first form to trace the shape on three other squares of plywood. Stack all four forms, align holes in center, and fasten them together with wood screws.

With the drum sander, smooth inner rim—grinding it at a slight angle all around so the bottom is slightly larger than the top.

Press caulking into all the cracks inside the form and thumb smooth. Let dry and sand lightly by hand. Then, paint all surfaces with several coats of gloss enamel, sanding inner rim lightly between coats.

Casting Stone

To make pavers, establish a firm, level inch-deep bed of clean sand. Place forms on the sand, larger side down. Cut rounds of hardware cloth to fit inside each.

Get bags of concrete premix (contains rock) or sand-mortar mix (add up to half the dry volume of your own rock). Mix with water precisely according to directions on the bag, stirring with a hoe on a plywood sheet or using a rented mixer. Fill each form half full, press in hardware cloth reinforcement, and top up with concrete. If you like, press colored rock, wood chips, or another texture into the top. You'll find small lots of colored gravel in many earth colors in the fish section of most pet stores.

Let set for 15 minutes or till firm. Tap the edges of the forms sharply and pull off the mold. Smooth the upper edges only to a stone-like curve. Then, use a paintbrush and some water to wash off enough mortar to reveal any rock texture.

Let your work cure overnight (covering it with a sheet of plastic to protect against rain).

The next day, slide pavers off the sand, supporting them well underneath so they don't break, and start building your allhandmade walkway.

Premium Walkway Pavers

"Interlocking concrete pavers" in all sorts of earth colors and designer shapes are increasingly popular for fancy suburban walks, drives, and patios. At a cost per square foot approaching the cost of a new home, they are gorgeous and can be laid (in an exaggerated version of the system described above) to be solid as a Roman road. But they look awful if the perfection of the design is ruined by inept installation, heaving, or slippage. It is really a job for experienced pros. For information on the lat est system of paver installation, contact the Concrete Paver Institute, 1323 Sheperd Dr., Sterling, VA 20164. Tel: 800-241-3652.

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