Reclaiming the gravel drive and lot

[MattEverest]

Hang with me here, it’s a long one

My main driveway from road to house is paved with a small turnaround in front of the garage, then a gravel driveway goes up (hill) to my barn with large gravel turnaround.

Over the last couple years we’ve lived here, the weeds have become well established and royal pet peeve of mine. I’m against chemical sprays due to being upstream from my well. Is it likely it matters? Probably not but I just don’t like the idea. Also we’ve had a couple washouts that leads me to believe I need to re-establish the base. Last, the French drain around the barn covered in riprap has begun to be filled in my eroding dirt from the bank behind the barn. I’ve basically not done any maintenance in the 4 years I’ve lived here beside patching the washed out areas. I now have a tractor but can’t afford to get every implement possible so looking for best advice for both getting things back to a good spot and maintaining them.

I think I need to get a box blade to break up what’s there and help get the weed bed out. Mix in more gravel (¾?) and possibly do some sort of grade that helps against washouts. The gravel driveway is already sloped towards the woods. It’s CT so it snows too.

Seems like the arsenal would include box blade, rake and back blade but I could do 80%+ with two of them.

Happy to get this groups input. My paved driveway is starting to fail as it’s high centered with the sides sinking like ruts but that’s another days worry.

 

[Egon]

Back blade with gauge wheels should be all you need. Probably no need for more gravel.

It would be nice if the areas in question could be ripped up prior to grading but not essential.

 

[MattEverest]

Back blade with gauge wheels should be all you need. Probably no need for more gravel.

It would be nice if the areas in question could be ripped up prior to grading but not essential.

Interesting - I don’t think I’ve come across a blade with gauge wheels - just a tail wheel. I was think it’d be nice to rip it up too but after seeing the washout, it sure seems like the top layer is pretty thin. I’ve got another area I need to dig up some hard pack and re-grade next to my wood shed which makes the box blade seem like a good fit for my projects.

 

[mikester]

What a pretty lot!

If you want a perfect driveway then Id suggest digging out about 4-6 inches, lay down landscape fabric and go with 4-6 inches of new 3/4 crusher run crushed limestone and pack down. Wait a year then add another 1 inch of 1/4 crusher run limestone.

If it was my driveway Id probably embrace the grass and keep cutting it really low on the driveway. Nature will always take over so to keep it clear you will need to either keep working it or use chemicals. If I was experiencing issues with drainage and pot holes Id dig it out and regrade.

For maintenance I use a modified blade with tail wheels and side wings, sort of like a modified box blade. I use it every spring after the ground has thawed and firmed up to regrade as needed. Its impossible to keep the grass from re-growing without a lot of work.

 

[LouNY]

weed / grass control without chemicals is simpler then you think,
propane weed burners;
Propane Torch with Push Button Igniter
the weeds don't need to be incinerated just singed and they will be dead in a couple of days.

Pyroweeder | Farmers Friend

They are also avilible with larger tractor mounted tanks and 10-16 ft wide.

 

[MattEverest]

I have the propane burner, it takes FOREVER for that square footage haha. I have tried lighter fluid and a quick singe that seems effective

 

[deezler]

Great thread, as I now have the same problem at my place. I have a good 3-6" of clean limestone 21A on my 3-4 year old driveway. But with way less guest traffic this year (darn you, covid), and great grass growing weather, I've watched my gravel disappear below a carpet of grass and weeds in many spots. Also not going to put chemicals on my driveway near my well, yard, gardens, etc.

Thanks for the link, Lou. I just printed a few HF coupons for other tool/camper needs right now, so I'll pick one of those up soon and go to town! I should have done this sooner, as now I'll have dead thatch and the dirty root ball clods to contend with. Oh well. After I kill it all, I will probably use my box blade ripper to scratch it up a bit, then switch to my rear blade to pull it out smooth again. If my budget agrees, another thin top layer of clean limestone would be awesome. TBD.

 

[deezler]

Another trick I've heard is to spread out rock salt; that grass/weeds dont want to grow in salty gravel. Anyone tried this?

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have no shortage of equipment (Harley Rock Rake for One), but this is a battle that is almost impossible to win.

Farmers use Evil chemicals on our place already. I was thinking of Roundup for the driveeay vegetation issue.

I still have a picture in my mind of an 80 something year old friend on her knees removing the growth from her gravel driveway. That level of dedication and time, seemed to work.

 

[MattEverest]

If the short answer is get a box blade or rake and work the gravel once a month, I’d be all over that.