Geo-Grid Gravel Drive with Retaining Wall and Indian Stone Patio

Category: Driveways, Patio, Paving & Walls

Garden Design Project: DWSJHP001

This project shows a step-by-step approach to creating a Gravel Drive using the latest technology - Geo-Grid Tiles.

This shows the front garden as it was before we started work on it. We had to remove around 60 tons of soil from the drive, so that we could start work on the Gravel Drive. We dug the foundation for the Retaining Wall; this had to be around 225mm deep and 400mm wide, this was to take the weight of the 9 inch Retaining Wall. This Retaining Wall was an added feature of the front garden as this became a raised area where we planted a mixture of shrubs and flowers that would give interest all year round.

Here the Retaining Wall is under way. To make sure that everything would be level we used a laser level, this is especially necessary when it is slightly curved and as the Wall gradually drops down with the drive. Having this feature to the front garden has given the customer more Space in the driveway, compared to before we started, yet they can still have an area for Plants and Shrubs.

We are putting down a Patio by the front door, we did this in Indian Stone, and it is randomly placed as this is how the customer wanted it. This creates another aspect to the front garden instead of having the drive all in Gravel. In keeping with the theme of the Patio and the feature in the Gravel Drive we added these Stone Cobbles that are in the same style. This created a neat border for where the drive met the pavement. This too added interest to the front garden but was consistent with the rest of the front garden.

We had to lay 100 mm of hard core down to give the drive way a strong foundation. We then added Geo-Grid tiles this gave extra strength, which helps to prevent the usual ruts that you get once you have driven on the gravel. When the gravel is driven on it compacts it down into the Geo-Grid tiles honeycomb holes, this is how it helps to prevent the ruts. However to stop you losing a nice even covering over the drive we usually add an extra 10-15mm of gravel on top of the Geo-Grid tiles.

Here we have the finished Driveway as you can see it is quite a large expanse of gravel, so to add a feature and to break the expanse we placed the Indian Stone randomly throughout the Gravel Drive. This too was in keeping with the gardens theme.

This is the completed Indian Stone Patio at the front of the house. It has been pointed with a resin which is frost proof and if ever you power washed the flags it is also resistant power washing.

This was taken two weeks later when we were doing some garden maintenance for a customer next door. As you can see there are no ruts in the gravel where the vehicle has been. We not only do Landscaping but we also maintain gardens whether they are small, medium or large. If you want us on a regular basis or for just a one off tidy up we are more than happy to help.

Submitted By: Jason Harker RHS Diploma in Horticulture

Website: www.jhps-gardens.co.uk

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