Gravel Driveway Do-Over Advice

[jadefox]

We're getting ready to re-nourish our gravel drive, and while we're at at, we want to make some upgrades. First, we want to include edging along one side of the drive to contain the gravel and create a border garden (eventually). We're thinking of using 6"x6"x8" landscape timbers set in a shallow trench along the edge of the drive. We'll set them with spikes or rebar and backfill. Thoughts?

Next, we're wanting thoughts on aggregate. The current drive is hardpack 3/4" crushed limestone with plenty of vegetation growing in it. We're planning to box blade the drive and then add new 3/4" crushed limestone, but I'm wondering after reading several threads here if we should be incorporating a different combination of aggregate. We live in Maine and plowing is a thing in the winter.

We welcome any and all feedback...thanks in advance!

 

[bcp]

Snowplowing, plus timber edging. Will that work?

Bruce

 

[jadefox]

We're getting ready to re-nourish our gravel drive, and while we're at at, we want to make some upgrades. First, we want to include edging along one side of the drive to contain the gravel and create a border garden (eventually). We're thinking of using 6"x6"x8" landscape timbers set in a shallow trench along the edge of the drive. We'll set them with spikes or rebar and backfill. Thoughts?

Next, we're wanting thoughts on aggregate. The current drive is hardpack 3/4" crushed limestone with plenty of vegetation growing in it. We're planning to box blade the drive and then add new 3/4" crushed limestone, but I'm wondering after reading several threads here if we should be incorporating a different combination of aggregate. We live in Maine and plowing is a thing in the winter.

We welcome any and all feedback...thanks in advance!

View attachment 473615

During the summer, our gallery is open and so the driveway is wide enough for parking. During the winter, I won't plow to the timber edge as we don't need the whole width.

 

[joeyd]

I have about 500' of 3/4" gravel drive and parking area and 1-2 applications of roundup or equivalent each year keeps the vegetation to a minimum.

 

[FTG-05]

We're getting ready to re-nourish our gravel drive, and while we're at at, we want to make some upgrades. First, we want to include edging along one side of the drive to contain the gravel and create a border garden (eventually). We're thinking of using 6"x6"x8" landscape timbers set in a shallow trench along the edge of the drive. We'll set them with spikes or rebar and backfill. Thoughts?

Next, we're wanting thoughts on aggregate. The current drive is hardpack 3/4" crushed limestone with plenty of vegetation growing in it. We're planning to box blade the drive and then add new 3/4" crushed limestone, but I'm wondering after reading several threads here if we should be incorporating a different combination of aggregate. We live in Maine and plowing is a thing in the winter.

We welcome any and all feedback...thanks in advance!

View attachment 473615

Looking at that pic, you need to dig a trench all the way from the bush next to the red building to about 250' down the gravel road.

Good luck!

 

[Deere Dude]

Will water back up if timbers create a slight dam?

 

[jadefox]

I have about 500' of 3/4" gravel drive and parking area and 1-2 applications of roundup or equivalent each year keeps the vegetation to a minimum.

The vegetation is less of a concern than getting new gravel down. How much 3/4" do you have?

 

[jadefox]

Looking at that pic, you need to dig a trench all the way from the bush next to the red building to about 250' down the gravel road.

Good luck!

There is a gravel drive that goes off to the right toward the garden and pond, and the edging will follow that drive.

 

[jadefox]

Will water back up if timbers create a slight dam?

We've wondered about that. I don't think so...at least not badly.

 

[aircommuter]

Having done dozens of rock driveways, we always grade the width you want plus 6" past the curb width whether it be wood or concrete . Spray the surface with pre-emergent, then we cover it with fabric like Mirafi 500x then place and compact the new rock on that. I not sure what rock materials or spec. numbers you have where you are located, here we would use class 4 on a residential driveway.