Rick...if it's durability you're after, I'd stick with a high-density, latex modified concrete mix. And if they are going to on the ground and getting stepped on, you might even add a ring of rebar. I put rebar in all my stepping stones and you can drive a tank over them without fear of breaking them. If you combine two grades of sand, one a fine and another VERY fine with a pozzalan like flyash, you'll have a product that will record delicate detail, but be extremely strong and water/freeze resistant. I'd even toss in some air entranement admix for additional freeze/thaw protection....but then, remember...I'm the guy that likes to over-do everything. And, if you're up for doing things to the max...what the h---, make the gin Bombay Sapphire while you're at it! Cheers from the Tropics laddie!

Hi...More questions! I'm working on a large memorial garden for my church. I'm planning to have families make a personalized step stone for one of the paths. I'm hoping it will help give more people ownership of the project and also create a very pretty path. We hire our lawn mowed, so I want to have the stones laid in well so they can mow right over them. I'm planning to use concrete - Tango, I don't know what some of that stuff is! I want people to be able to make impressions and add tile or other items. My main question is....can I have people make them right into the spot they will go....rather than using molds? I thought if I dig out about 3" of the soil to the right shape; put some sand in the bottom and pour the concrete right into the hole; then they can enhance them as much as they want. I know I need to moisten the sand to prevent wicking of the water in the concrete mix and I'll need to cover them with plastic for a day or 2, and spray with water. Do you think this will work? Thanks in advance!

Hi Lauren --- Yes, "pour-in-place" stepping stones have been around as long as concrete. One trick to prevent wicking, even on the sides, is to lay some Saran Wrap loosely across the hole and then dump the concrete in. The wrap will form to the hole and you just rip or cut it below grade after the concrete sets. And an inch of damp sand under the wrap is still a very good idea.

I see you are up in Wisconson which means it is somewhat less than tropical during the winter. If you are going to using a power mixer, adding a pinch of "air entrainment admix" is recommended. You'd only find that through a concrete specialty company or maybe a pre-mix outfit. It will help prevent freeze/thaw damage but doesn't really help if you are only hand mixing. Another suggestion would be to pre-cut some pieces of heavy hardware cloth(a galvanized steel mesh, avail at the Big Box stores) as reinforcing to fit into the holes. Make them about an inch smaller all around. Pour in half the concrete, lay in the mesh, then pour the rest. That way, even if they do ever crack, they will stay together. And finally...if you can locate some latex "modifier" or even "bonding agent" (also fairly common at the big improvement centers)...use a 50/50 mix of either one with water instead of using plain water. That really helps prevent cold damage and also prevents water from penetrating.

Hope this helps a bit. Sounds like a fun project, be sure to take & post some pix.

All my best --- Tango

Thank you, Tango! I was planning on the reinforcement - what about chicken wire? Thanks for the tip on bonding.

Chicken wire is mostly used to simply give a mix something to hang onto (as in stucco work). I'd go with something much stiffer like a heavy weight mesh.