Pea gravel does not compact because each rock is round.
Pea gravel is an accumulation of multiple small round pebbles approximately 3/8-inch in diameter. When combined together in one area they can create a path or driveway that will eventually need maintenance to repair the dips and ruts. In most cases, it will be necessary to add more pea gravel to refill the area. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Examine the area where the pea gravel is installed. In some cases, it will be necessary to repair the border holding the pea gravel inside. In other cases, the pea gravel will only need to be raked and smoothed back into place.
2. Push the pea gravel away from the border around the pea gravel. If a wooden border is used, the wood may be rotten and need to be replaced. If this is the case, remove the stakes holding it in place. Pull the wood out of the ground. Measure the piece and cut a new one to replace it. Position the new wood in the same location where the old one was removed. Replace the stakes to hold it in place. For sunken stone borders, pull up the stones, and place new soil in the trench. Compact the soil with a hand tamper, and replace the stones. Position a level on top of each stone to ensure that the stone is level.
3. Rake the pea gravel until it is smooth and covers the entire designated area. The gravel should fill the area to one inch below the height of the border. If it does not, fill the area with new gravel and rake smooth. For larger areas like long pathways and driveways, it may be necessary to rent a grader and pull it behind a riding lawn mower or tractor. The weight of the tractor will create ruts in the grave, but the grader will smooth them.
4. Smooth out the gravel in garden beds using a garden rake. Ensure that the rocks are not piled up against the base of plants. This can suffocate the plant and prevent them from growing to their full potential. Pull weeds from the garden bed, and smooth gravel back over the hole where the weed was pulled. Add new pea gravel, if needed.
Tags: cases will, cases will necessary, fill area, will necessary
