I am installing a rock paver walkway in my backyard. It won't be walked on frequently except by my dog. Approximate dimensions will be 9 x 4 feet. A base of about 4 inches of sand will be needed based on the size of the rocks I'm using.
Do I need a crushed rock base under the sand? I'm trying to do this as inexpensively as I can, because I'm only renting the house. I live in South East Pennsylvania if it matters.
Do you need? No. You could technically lay them down on grass and they'd probably be OK for a short period of time. But the next person who rents the house will be annoyed, and so might the landlord when the pavers settle.
A 30kg of gravel is about $5 at my local HD - so how much money are you really saving here? And lets say you save $50 - if they settle while you are still living there, it will cost you more than $50 to fix after-the-fact.
Do it right the first time.
The main reason for using gravel is to allow drainage, which prevents frost from heaving your pavers. Just replace 3 of the 4 inches of sand with gravel (crushed, with fines).
A hand tamper or even a chunk of 4x4 with handles (should be about chest height) will allow you to tamp and compact the gravel.
