Gravel paths are an affordable, good-looking option for driveways and paths. They're easy to maintain and cheap to install, and the crunch of gravel underfoot is even a good security measure.
But gravel has one big disadvantage. It can be hard to shift snow off gravel in winter because, unlike an asphalt driveway, you can't just push it off the surface. If you aren't careful, moving snow off gravel can spray the rocks all over your yard.
Thankfully, it's relatively easy to shovel snow off gravel – you just have to be very careful about how you do it.
1. Shovel, but leave a final layer of snow
The good news is that you can shovel snow off gravel - you just have to adjust your technique a little.
As with shoveling snow from any other surface, start at the top of the snowpack and work your way down in stages. Here, the technique is exactly the same as it would be on asphalt or wooden decking.
However, unlike these smooth surfaces, gravel can't be completely cleared from snow. If you try and scoop snow up off gravel, you'll start scooping up the driveway. Instead, work your way down the snow until there's around half an inch of snow on top of the gravel. This will prevent you from scooping gravel off the drive while removing the worst of the snow.
This also means that you need to use a standard snow shovel like this from Walmart. Push shovels like this from Amazon won't work because they need to skim over smooth surfaces.
2. Use a snow blower - carefully
Alternatively, you can use a snow blower. However, you need to be careful. If you get it wrong, you could spray gravel all over the driveway, and in the worst cases, you could blast it at your car or against windows, causing expensive damage.
The same principle applies here as with shoveling. You won't be able to pick up all the snow but will have to leave a thin layer at the end. This means you need to raise the auger and skid shoes so they're at least an inch above the surface of the gravel. This will ensure you don't scoop up any gravel by accident.
Once you've set the height, make sure the chute is pointed away from cars, windows, or walls, just in case gravel finds its way into the auger. You should also aim it at a slightly lower angle, just in case gravel is picked up - this will prevent it from being thrown too far.
Otherwise, the process is the same as using a snow blower on any other surface. Walk the blower up and down over the surface of the snow to blow it out of the way of the drive. You'll still have a thin layer of snow over the gravel, but this is easy to handle.
3. Rake over the gravel
Once you've shoveled or blown the worst of the snow, you'll be left with a thin layer of snow on top of the gravel. You can deal with this by raking over the snow.
Homes & Gardens content editor and gardening expert Drew Swainston says 'This disperses the snow between the rocks, creating a level surface and preventing big patches of ice from forming during freezing and thawing cycles. It also increases the likelihood that the snow will be absorbed into the soil or evaporate on a sunny day. On top of that, it creates a lot more traction on the gravel by bringing it to the surface above slippery snow and ice.'
You don't need anything fancy, either - a simple metal rake like this from Tractor Supply Co. is all you need.
4. Apply ice melt
Finally, you can finish off this last layer of snow with some ice melt, such as this American-made ice melt on Amazon. However, it's usually not needed, as the raked-over snow quickly disappears.
Ice melt should be used carefully because, just like concrete, it can damage gravel. Over time, ice melt will break up gravel into even smaller pieces. Ice melt is also toxic to pets, and it's harder to see in gravel than on concrete, even if you opt for a colorful ice melt that's easier to see.
FAQs
When should I shovel snow off gravel?
If there's only a couple of inches of snow on a gravel path or driveway, leave it be. This will quickly melt into the gravel. However, if you have a foot or more of snow, you need to clear it off the gravel to make room for cars and stop the gravel from settling unevenly during freezes and thaws.
There are lots of other ways to de-ice paths and patios in the winter, but by far the best method is to act before the snow first falls. Knowing how to winterize a deck or driveway can minimize the impact of snow and ice on your outdoor surfaces.
