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Landscape Design

How do you keep gravel clean?

18 years ago

I'm considering using gravel for paths, but I want to get some idea of the maintenance involved before I go ahead with it. My main concern is how difficult it will be to keep the area clean. The neighbors have some semi-deciduous weedy oaks on their property and the willow-like leaves blow in almost constantly. Can gravel be cleaned in some way, or is the only solution to top it off whenever it gets too messy looking? How much gravel is needed for top offs, on average?

I've been reading posts on gravel on this and other forums, and I've seen that crushed gravel packs down well and so is easy to clean. Is this true? Does crushed gravel track badly?

I've never dealt with gravel before, so if any one has any information on how to keep it neat, I'd appreciate it. Thanks,

Bill

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Comments (3)

gardengal48 (PNW Z8/9)
18 years ago
Periodic raking is required. Not all that difficult and it serves to clean up the debris relatively easily as well as smoothing out any unevenness that may occur in the gravel pathway. I don't find that crushed gravel tracks any more readily than any other loose pathway material and lot less than most.
Cady
18 years ago
Fine gravel may be easier to keep neat with a rake, but I have a lot of trouble with large (1/4" or bigger) pea stone. Debris - twigs, clumps of dead leaves, maple samaras, birch seeds, all that - get stuck between the stones and must be removed hand. I've found that leaf blowers set to "vacuum" will suck up the stones, so that's out.

I rake the gravel, but also spend hours in spring, summer and fall picking out "junk." Fortunately, it's therapeutic. lol
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accordian
18 years ago
You don't mention if you are thinking of this but it is also a good idea to have some kind of border or edging for the gravel path. Gravel doesn't track very much but it does tend to get kicked around a bit and can migrate out of the areas you want it which can look a bit messy.

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