Outdoor Paver Tile Walkway

First step was to dig out the garden soil to the correct depth.  It is important to leave undisturbed soil at the bottom of the dug out area.   We dug out about 4 inches of dirt and framed it in with wood boards on the outside edge making the top of the board level to the driveway.    We rented a mixer because this small area (approximately 45 sq. ft.) took 1/2 yard of concrete!

Next, I took a board and notched it for the depth of the tile plus a layer of thin set, to go underneath the tiles as a glue.  I used this board as a screed to rod off the excess mortar so that the finished walkway was level to the driveway.  To spread the thin set, I used a deep notched trowel, 3/8 inch AND we back buttered each piece to be sure we got 100 % coverage of thin set on the back of each tile.  Due to the slope and the crisp fall air, we had to throw a few handfuls of speed set into the thinset so that the tiles did not sag downhill.