Getting black dirt out of good rock

[Schneeky]

Hey fellas. We bought a foreclosure last October that had sat empty and neglected for a good bit. Got the house standing tall, now I'm workin on the outside stuff. Mainly about 200 yards of driveway that loops around the house and has been overgrown with grass to the point that I could barely see the #57 stone and the whole driveway was basically 2 hard packed shallow ruts that wouldn't drain with a grass-n-dirt hump in the middle. I read the destructions in the box blade for beginners thread and applied them. Worked nicely (Thanks all!).
It turned out even and smooth. But my question is, is there a trick to get the black dirt/centipede separated from the rock? Any helpful advice or points to an applicable thread greatly appreciated. d:^) Schneeks..

 

[Egon]

Pressure washer.

 

[Schneeky]

Thought about that. Kindofa controlled "frog strangler". Which I'm sure would be a huge mess!:laughing: d:^) Schneeks.

 

[s219]

I'd just bring in more crusher run and top dress the existing stone. May end up being cheaper and faster overall.

 

[Schneeky]

I agree it would be faster. But prior expenditures on the house & property have left the coffers a l'il stressed.

I got after it with the straight rake and pitchfork this morning to try and get the grass/root clumps outta there.
Works good, but very labor intensive and slow. C'mon rain!! :cool2: d:^) Schneeks..

 

[JRobyn]

In my experience, 3 things:
1) Drive on it. Then do it some more. Will pack the dirt down nicely into the gravel and help kill any remaining grass.
2) A few squirts of Roundup on any stubborn grass.
3) Condition yourself to actually enjoy the "natural" look of a gravel/grass/dirt drive.

- Jay

 

[Egon]

For some reason I had the impression it was stone paving?

Now that I know better I'd suggest one of, roundup/ builders lime/ lots of nitrogen fertilizer spread on the drive to kill what're is growing. Wait for several weeks and it again. This should kill the green stuff and the roots will dry out. Next grade it. A drag or some such tool should work.

Please don't mention the pressure washer.