![]() ![]() Those large stones proved difficult to navigate, even in sneakers. We eventually removed all of the rest of that concrete, and replaced it with a large scale crushed granite. We removed all of that, save a two track of concrete to the rear. Our original driveway, circa 1995, was concrete. The photograph above clearly illustrates the new gravel, some 4 inches deep, on the right, and the degraded gravel driveway on the left due for excavation and some new stone. This was a big job, requiring both of my crews. LIVING EARTH DECOMPOSED GRANITE FULLThis meant that all of the old gravel had to be loosened and dug out by hand, one pick axe and flat shovel full at a time. ![]() Buried under our degraded gravel were the electrical lines for the lighting in the trees. The linden trees adjacent to the building are 24 years old. As in dig out the old soil and sand contaminated gravel, and replace it with new stone. ![]() Our gravel had become a dust fest on dry days, and a mud fest on wet ones. But over the years, the foot and vehicular traffic drive the small granite pieces down, and bring up the soil and fines from underneath. Those fines help to interlock the very small shards of granite, and harden up the surface. How so? Decomposed granite comes with fines. Our graveled spaces were due for replacement. Add to that dirt spills from countless container plantings. It has been subject to all manner of insults over the years, not the least of which is a near daily dose of heavy trucks going in and out. Our decomposed granite display space and driveway is 24 years old. Crushed granite can be dumped and shoveled around wherever you need a hard surface. A giant granite millstone takes a machine and many people to move. These small shards of stone have endless applications in the garden, not the least of which involve the base and the top layer for a driveway. Crushed stone, including crushed granite, is a material much easier to handle and place, and is commonly known as gravel. Stone is a treasured material in the landscape, as it is a natural material that takes just about forever to degrade. If this millstone is granite, you can be sure that the carving process for this solid mass of stone was lengthy and exhausting. I averted my eyes when I saw the front tires of our loader leave the ground. I have no idea what type of stone this antique English millstone was carved from, but I can attest to the fact that our skid steer could barely lift it. ![]()
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