AboutJonathan Radford Expertise Hi, I am an ecological landscape designer and I have lived in Italy for nearly 15 years. I specialised in the design of ecological Italian gardens but also in the reduction of water, maintenance and damage to the environment. I can answer questions on almost all gardening queries.
Experience I have been gardener for over twenty years and my experience ranges from tree-surgery, pond and lake construction to general horticulture and Italian landscape design. I have also written a book named "A Green Existence"
Education/Credentials I have an N.C in Horticulture and garden design and a City and Guilds in Commercial horticulture, both earnt in the U.K. I run my own business "ecologica gardens" in Italy and operate across the world performing ecological garden designs.
Past/Present Clients See my website www.ecologicagardens.com
Question QUESTION: I am laying a dry set flagstone walkway at the entrance to my home. What exactly do I place in the joints? The joints are about 1". I have the stones set in a layer of fine gravel/sand. I noticed you answered another question stating that a cement/dry sand mix should be used. But is it a good idea to use a cement/dry mix in the joints on a gravel base when i live in the northeast u.s.a. where we have snowy/icy/cold winters? Won't the walkway begin to heave eventually?
ANSWER: Hi Erik
A dry sand/cement mix is by far the most versatile of all the pointing techniques. However, if your flags are set on a thin or uneven base, it could create problems. A base of 8-10 inches should allow for any 'heaving' and then a dry mix will work fine.2 inches
The base should be a stabilising base of gravel and smaller particles (dust)and not just gravel. If it has to be just gravel, the pieces should be over 2 inches in diameter to ensure a solid base.
Jonathan www.ecologicagardens.com
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QUESTION: Thanks Jonathan, so I would use a gravel/dust base, then a 2" dry sand/cement mix to lay the flagstones in, and then what do I put into the cracks (joints)? The dry sand/cement mix? Is that a product like Quikcrete Sand/Topping mix (no. 1103)? This product has Portland cement in it. Should I just sweep it into the cracks (joints) and then water it?
Answer Use a large-gravel base and then lay the flags on a sand/cement mix of around 3:1 and use the same mix for the cracks. Yes, simply brush the mix in and water it lightly (so not to wash it away)
I have no idea what the commercial name for the mix is in the States, as I operate from Italy, but just use a regular builder's sand and a regular builder's cement at a 3 to or 4 to 1 ratio.
