Decks, Patios, Porches and Docks - What underneath box step from deck to lawn?

I built my deck this summer, but I left the single box step from the deck to the lawn until I had the landscaping done. In retrospect, I should have done it first..., but anyway.

I am trying to figure out what to put under the step so that the box is not sitting on soil. I had been thinking about pavers, but had not given it much thought. I realize now that I would have to dig out some material to put a gravel/sand base in for the pavers, but we just put in new sod, and I don't want to do a bunch of digging in/around it right now. Here is what it looks like:

http://xhm21a.blu.livefilestore.com/y1pOGFDijjLrZEyhiiorkAb6YPFrWAGG3qrIoVMyTJAENlI-qXvR43RiQEDSXHiRWnIOB1B957ynbk

I sized the deck so that I only need a single step down to the ground. I am just going to build a simple box step for this. Whatever I put under, is going to come out only about 4 - 6" so that it is easy to mow up to the step.

Any ideas?
Thanks!
~john

Safety first. 4" is awfully narrow for a step. After two or three Pepsi Lites, someone could take a serious fall.

You should set the step base on a solid foundation such as precast concrete. Otherwise during the wet seasons as well as frost heave time, the step will weaken by not having a good base.

The 4-6" I was referring to is just how much of the material will peek out from under the step. The step itself is going to be the same 11" run as the other steps between the deck levels. The last step is down to ground level. It will be a step down on to grass.

I still haven't gotten around to this as I have still not determined what material I am going to use.

Anyone?

thanks,
~john