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5 circular patios

Inspired by the array of designs we discovered in gardens around the West, we built a small circular patio of slate at our headquarters in Menlo Park, California.

SHOPPING TIP

Look for 1- to 2-in.-thick stone (it’s easier to cut) in 1- to 3-ft.-long pieces, and choose as many straight-sided pieces as possible. Buy 30 percent more than you think you’ll need. The quantities below are for our 8-ft.-diameter patio.

	More curvy ideas • Instant patio • Fire in the round • Growing in the round • Garden in the round • Playful paving

Hard rake
Two 1-ft. stakes with pointed tips
String
Garden hose
Flat-headed shovel
Electrical tape
1- to 2-ft.-long level
One 8½-ft.-long 2-by-4
1 yard rough sand
Hand tamper (from a rental yard)
¾ ton slate pieces
3-in. chisel and mallet
Goggles and gloves

DIRECTIONS

Rob D. Brodman
Step 1
Rob D. Brodman
Step 3
Rob D. Brodman
Step 4
Rob D. Brodman
Step 5

Choose a level site, then rake soil smooth.

Place a stake in soil to mark the patio’s center.

Cut a piece of string about 6 ft. long; tie to the bottom of the center stake, measure out 4 ft., and tie free end to the second stake. With that free stake, pull the string taut and trace the patio’s outline in the soil as you walk around the center stake.

Remove stakes, then mark the circle with a hose.

2. Prepare the site

Using shovel, remove 3 in. depth of soil from the entire circle.

Tape the level to the narrow side of the 2-by-4; use the board to level the surface.

Fill circle with 2 to 3 in. of sand, rake smooth, then recheck the overall level.

Moisten sand with water, then tamp it firmly.

Level again.

3. Place the stones

Starting at the outer edge, position the large stones to sit slightly above the surrounding soil surface. Arrange as carefully as possible for fit; place as many large pieces as possible, then fill in with smaller pieces.

Check the level of the patio regularly.

4. Cut stones

Use a chisel and mallet to break stones into smaller pieces (wear goggles).

Place a stone atop a board, scrape a line on stone where you want to make cut, gently strike the chisel there to make a ⅛-in.-deep depression, then pound the stone hard until it breaks.

5. Fill in the cracks

Remove hose.

Shovel sand over patio and sweep it into cracks; spray with water to settle.

Apply more sand; sweep again.