Building a Gravel Driveway – Fairfield County

Now is the ideal time to analyze and evaluate the appearance and health of your landscape environment in Fairfield County. What kind of shape are your trees in? How would adding a spring flowering tree affect your mood? Check out Garden Listings or Garden Guides for some landscape ideas.

GRAVEL DRIVEWAYS: A BIG STEP TOWARD GOING GREEN.

One of the principal concepts of green landscaping is reducing impervious space to increase infiltration of storm water. Old asphalt driveways are no longer desirable or preferred for our landscape environment. Especially true after they have been repeatedly topped and resurfaced. Installing a gravel driveway is a great opportunity to start over and Go Green!

REMOVING OLD ASPHALT

Asphalt should be removed and recycled at an approved facility in Fairfield County.

SELECTING THE GRAVEL

A proper base of course gravel and item #4 should be laid as base material compacted at 2” intervals. This will allow for optimum drainage and performance. In this case a 3/8” native gravel (locally sourced) was selected from samples provided to the client for a final surface/appearance.

This material and construction method meets with current sustainability standards observed in Fairfield County (Sustainable Site Initiative). This is a component of green design and development. Looking at the big picture we may draw on other valuable resources such as Low Impact Development or the NY State Stormwater Management Design Manual.

 

 

 

MAINTAINING YOUR GRAVEL DRIVEWAY

It is important to remember that all landscape features including driveways require maintenance. In the case of gravel driveways, care should be taken during snow plowing so as not to greatly disturb the gravel surface. There should be a maintenance/management plan and budget that allows for refurbishment including additional gravel and labor to spread and grade.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Water is one of the most essential elements to life on earth. T. Boone Pickens in the NY Times was quoted as saying “wars in the future will be fought not over oil but over water.” Drinking water is precious and in danger. In the east, we take an abundance of fresh drinking water for granted. What if it changes? Maybe it has already begun. We should do everything possible in our sustainable landscape design and management practices to conserve and preserve our water resources in Fairfield County.

Jay Archer, President