Gravel driveway upkeep?

s219 · Sep 24, 2014

If the base is firm, properly shaped, and acceptably smooth, I would not use any ground engaging implements just because of weeds. Don't mess with that established base if you can help it. My crusher-run surfaces driveway has setup like concrete now, and there's no way I plan to mess with that unless it needs reshaping or smoothing.

JimS · Sep 24, 2014

clemsonfor said:
What is the problem with the grass growing on the lesser used road? it will firm it up and keep the fines in place better.

You also if you dont want weeds you can use herbicide with Imazapyur in it and it will keep everything from coming back for a few months. There are several long term acting herbicides.

I'm not saying anything is wrong with the grass. Just trying to figure out which would be easier to maintain - grass or gravel. the grass is getting pretty thick in spots so I am at the point where if I am going to remove the grass I should probably do it before it gets worse. It has a good base. At some point the road will get more use but I expect it will be at least a few years so I could just let it go until then. I suppose the trade off is the grass needs to be mowed - something that needs to be done more ofter but is less work than blading out the gravel. If I was to do gravel I would need to add a few inches too - the existing road has fairly big rock close to the surface. It's smooth enough.

The main road is pretty firm too and not too bad for weeds and grass - just a few spots in the center and along the edges.

Probably will go with the "don't mess with it" plan and just mow the grass...

Location is southern Illinois. Rock here is mostly limestone. But not much rock in the ground where I am - ground is mostly clay.

2manyrocks · Sep 28, 2014

Once grsss gets established, you'd pretty much have to destroy the gravel bed to get the grass out. It would be easier and work better to kill the grass by spraying it with glyphospate than trying to scrape it out.