Remove Snow From Garden Gravel With A Tool You Most Likely Already Have

If you have a long gravel driveway and other garden gravel, you know that a snowstorm can mean more trouble for you than for those with more solid surfaces. The last thing you want to do is try to shovel snow, but end up gouging out half your gravel instead. But don't worry, there's a tool in your arsenal that you might be able to use in a pinch: Your garden rake.

That's right, add snow removal to your list of uses for a garden rake. Of course, hardware stores in some regions actually sell snow rakes, but they're typically designed to remove snow from roofs. They're often made of solid metal and act more like shovels. And shovels, as any gravel driveway owner knows, can wind up removing just as much gravel as snow. In fact, using a shovel can create ruts in your driveway that you'll need to fix come spring.

If you want to help preserve your garden gravel but clear snow at the same time, grab that leaf rake from your shed or garage. Just like the side quest of fighting weeds in your gravel driveway, the tines will help you push the snow without displacing rock. It also helps you stay on the surface and not go too deep, so you keep more of the gravel where it belongs — in your driveway.

To use your leaf rake, flip it over. Push and walk, making a long, cleared aisle. If the snow is solid, wet, and compacted, you can flip the rake right side down to scrape and try to break it up first. Or you might even think about leaving a layer of compacted snow right where it is for better traction. 

The one thing to keep in mind when removing snow from gravel is that you don't want to get rid of all of it. If you sweep off every last bit of snow from the rocks, then chances are, you're probably taking a layer of pebble with it as well. Instead, make several passes, taking off just a little layer of snow as you go. For especially long driveways, this can feel very time-consuming, so you might want to ditch the handheld rake and opt for a rake accessory on your riding lawn mower or small tractor to help speed up the snow removal.  

Another decent option for snow removal for gravel driveways is using a leaf blower. Of course, this probably will work best with minimal snow. With large snowfalls, a leaf blower might end up making a mess. If you've got a lot of icy build-up, try a DIY solution that can melt snow and ice, which also happens to be safe for the garden and won't hurt your gravel, either. It's dish soap, rubbing alcohol, and hot water.