How do I put down loose brick to form a small patio?

I just laid a small brick patio last spring using leftover bricks. I leveled the ground (dirt) as I set each row using a square blade shovel, adding dirt or digging out as needed. I butted each brick in the pattern I chose, no mortar, but making sure each brick was level and not moving. When the laying was completed, I poured play sand over the whole patio and swept it with an old broom into all the joints and cracks. You can buy special sand that will turn into concrete when hosed with water, or let the rain do the job. The sand helps keep weeds from coming through so you don't really need to lay down a plastic barrier. There are many interesting brick patterns to choose from. Just do what you like. It is a back-straining job, so use a gardener's kneeling pad or a cushion for your knees.

That are about 59 ways to do it depending on the size and kind of bricks, the area you want done, etc. I’d read extensively online- Google online or look on Pinterest. There is more to it than plastic. Digging, leveling, sand, etc. it’s all do-able by you but not a 2 hour job.

Hello again Prilmer! I helped my Dad do his patio in Virginia one year .He bought some black plastic at a garden center. It came in huge roll.

He also used sand in between the bricks and under them ( They wanted a more natural look and feel)

I seem to remember him doing like a cross cross pattern with the bricks

Now I don’t know if that was best or easiest or if that’s just they decided on. Lol

I was just the helper!

☘️

You don't need plastic or anything. it will trap water. You need to dig down the thickness of the brick plus three inches for sand. Pour paver sand down to three inches and level to three inch thick. Then lay your brick on top of the sand. Once it's all down pour sand over the brick and sweep it into the joints. Mist the brick surface for the sand to settle in between the joits. Add more as needed. Lay a few brick patterns on your lawn and see what you like.