How to Groom a Driveway

Make your driveway the highlight of your home.

Your driveway often is the first thing people see when they visit your home. If your driveway is not properly landscaped and well groomed, that first impression will be a bad one. Taking the time to groom and clean your driveway on a regular basis is one of the best ways to keep it looking its best and ensure those first impressions will be good ones. Maintaining the gravel or asphalt in your driveway properly helps it last longer and gives the entire home a better overall appearance. The space in front of your home also gives you a chance to show off your landscaping skills, and that can create a more memorable impression for those who visit your home.

Things You'll Need

• Broom
• Hose or power washer
• Flowers
• Rocks

Instructions

1. Sweep the driveway clean on a weekly basis, or whenever debris accumulates. Use a push broom to sweep away mud, dirt and debris. Use a power washer or garden hose to give the driveway a more thorough cleansing.

2. Check the driveway for low spots by watching it closely after a heavy rain. Note the areas where water tends to puddle and accumulate, then fill in those low spots with new asphalt or gravel after the water has gone.

3. Check your driveway for cracks and holes on a regular basis. Fill in those cracks and holes with asphalt sealer and driveway repair preparations. Use a roller to smooth down the gravel or asphalt if you can. Renting a roller can make the process of repairing your driveway a lot easier.

4. Watch for erosion along the side of your driveway where the gravel or asphalt gives way to dirt and lawn. Use new topsoil to build up the area surrounding the driveway. Keeping the driveway as level as possible helps to reduce erosion in the surrounding soil, as well as runoff from the driveway itself.

5. Plant a variety of colorful flowers along the sides of your driveway. Add an assortment of shrubs and dwarf trees to dress up the driveway further.

6. Create a rock garden alongside your driveway. Use a variety of rocks and stones to create a varied look and make the driveway look more interesting.

References

• Sunset: Reinvent Your Driveway