Replies

1. 
   GML | Aug 10, 2003 03:16am | #1

   I live in western South Dakota and lay about 200 tons of limestone a year. First impression- 3" joints; they should have slowed down abit and spent more time fitting. We use 1/4" plus or minus (fines), rock that is 1/4" or less and mixed with 200 dust. The fine ,flour-like dust from crushing and seperating all the different sizes of gravels. Get out the shop vac and get sucking, go down about 2" and then replace with fines. One person sweeping in the fines with a push broom while another soul taps the patio stones to settle the fines in place.Then water well and the 200 dust sets up and binds the gravel. Good Luck!

2. 
   Piffin | Aug 10, 2003 03:22am | #2

   sand

   stone dust

   .

   Excellence is its own reward!

1. 
   IronHelix | Aug 10, 2003 03:58am | #3

   If you wish to grow neat "walk on"vegetation in the cracks then try this combo.....

        50% Ground Mulch.......as fine as coarsely ground coffee.

        50% Fine Grain Sand......finer than regular sugar but not as fine as powder.

   Mix and tamp into open crevices....rockwalk plants do well in it!

   And if you want no plants then it crusts over like a desert top mat.

   The mix also allows for easy pulling of grass & weed sprouts. 

   ..................Iron Helix

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Aug 10, 2003 04:17am | #4

   Pif, I think there would be a problem with tracking sand or stone into the house, considering the size of the joints.  Either would work well from a flexibility perspective though.  And easy to install once the old stuff is out.  Might try saltillo tile grout, it is designed for wide joints, but only to an inch maybe.  Since it's outside, maybe use a grout or cement mix, and live with the cracks.

   Do it right, or do it twice.

3. 
   woodguy99 | Aug 10, 2003 04:52pm | #5

   Creeping thyme is a lush-looking, fairly hardy plant that looks great between gray flagstones.  I don't know what kind of soil it likes, but they probably would over at Fine Gardening.