STEPPING-STONES

If you want to provide a means for crossing your pond, but do not want to use a bridge, or block the view of the other side, garden stepping stones can be both an attractive and practical solution. the stepping stones shown at the left are made from rubber and make a good garden path to and from your pond. If, for example, you just want to use garden stepping stones  as a means for  feeding or observing your koi, simply add a few stones to extend a few feet into your pond.  Garden stepping stones can also be used in place of a bridge as a means to cross to the other side of the pond.  For formal ponds you will want to use square or rectangular cast-concrete slabs, large quarry tiles, cut stone, or geometric shapes that are similar.  If you have an informal koi pond, use irregularly shaped flat rocks or flagstones.  Regardless of what style, garden stepping stones usually look best in a zigzag or random pattern rather than a straight line.

Depending on the depth of your koi pond, you may be able to use large rocks or stone slabs set directly in the pond.  However, they can shift dangerously if the stepping stones are not perfectly flat on the bottom.  Embedding them in a nest of concrete will help.  In a deeper pond, a layer of mortared flat rocks can be built up, or you can construct piers of poured concrete, brick, or block to support the stones.  Instead of using a mold you can also purchase cardboard tubes for making concrete piers which are just as easy to use, especially for amateurs.

If your pond is a flexible liner or a preformed shell, you will need to provide a suitable concrete footing to support the stones and piers.  Garden stepping stones will need a foundation that is firm under a liner or shell, especially if the combined weight of the stone and its support if more than 100 pounds.  The best solution is a poured-concrete footing as large or slightly larger than your supporting pier for your stepping stone. 

If you are not adding garden stepping stones initially as part of your overall koi pond design, you can risk adding them later without the footing if you are sure the soil under your liner or shell is firm.  Protect your liner by using an extra liner piece between it and the stepping stones, and be sure to use the lightest stones possible.   You can use the underlayment material shown at right for this.  It is a durable, safe, and clean material to use underneath your stepping-stones.  Also, make sure each stone is large enough to provide a stable footing, and place the stones close enough together so that people can walk across the pond without hopping.  Use a gap of between 12 to 15 inches which is comfortable for most people.  The stone's surface should be high enough above the water so that they stay dry.  Wet rocks are not only slippery, but can be dangerous if constantly wet as algae or moss can develop making them even more slippery.  You should avoid placing any garden stepping stones near a waterfall or fountain where they are likely to have water splashing on them continuously.  Check your rocks regularly for any slcik buildup and scrub it of with a stiff brush.  If you walk across the stepping stones from both directions on a regular basis, you will be alerted to any looseness or stone movement that could contribute to someone's fall.