It’s June in Vermont! Which typically means the temps range from extremely hotto relatively cool depending on your elevation. Flowers are also in bloom! And even
though we can appreciate this time of year, with winter securely behind us, you may be noticing a few areas on your property that needs some attention. You may have a routine lawn maintenance plan in place and great plans to bring your flower beds to life, but have you taken the time to inspect your dirt driveway? Maintaining your dirt driveway is just as important as maintaining your lawn. We have found that budgeting a few hundred dollars each year will ensure your dirt driveway is looking fresh while maintaining its integrity.
In order to keep your driveway looking fresh we highly recommend obliterating those pesky weeds. We avoid products with roundup, so we use Green Gobbler Weed Killer, made of 20% vinegar to keep driveways from looking like an extension of your lawn. If you have a lot of weeds in your driveway it may take more than one application to do the trick, but once, the weeds are gone, a once-a-month application should only be necessary.
Next, inspect the shape of your driveway. You want the driveway to have a slight hump in the middle to ensure water runs off the driveway rather than down it. If during a rainstorm you see water running down your driveway, this could pose a threat to your driveway’s integrity as water erodes the shurpak,( and/ or gravel) and creates channels, that only get bigger over time. If you notice channels, your driveway should be repaired right away.
Winters in Vermont are rough and cause a lot of wear and tear on your driveway, which is why we recommend adding some fresh material in the spring. Adding new material each year will keep your driveway looking new. We hope these little morsels of information will help you properly care for your dirt driveway. As always if you are unsure of where to begin, you can always give us a call and we would be happy to help!
Cheers,
Lauren Severy
