The Best Way to Spread Gravel

Prepare the ground where the gravel will be spread. For small areas, use a shovel to dig up any grass or other plants. Remove stones and other obstructions. Fill in any holes. For a driveway, you can rent a small bulldozer. Because a gravel driveway must support the weight of heavy vehicles, you need several layers of gravel. Remove the top 8 to 12 inches of topsoil as topsoil is soft and won’t support heavy loads. In addition, by removing the topsoil you create a bed that is deep enough to hold the gravel.

Lay a layer of geotextile fabric over the ground where the gravel will be spread. The fabric forms a barrier to keep dirt from working its way into the gravel.

Move the gravel into the gravel bed. For smaller projects, use a shovel to fill a wheelbarrow. Dump each wheelbarrow load into the central area of the gravel bed or along the center line of a walkway. Spread out the loads so you won’t have to rake the gravel very far. Use the same process for moving the gravel into place in a driveway. Due to the large amount of gravel required for a driveway, use a bulldozer to transport the gravel from its dump location to the driveway bed, if desired.

Put down three successive layers of gravel to build a driveway. Use gravel composed of larger stones for the first layer. Spread each layer out evenly, using the bulldozer. Pack each layer with a roller before starting the next. Use medium-sized gravel for the second layer and smaller stones for the top layer. As you lay down the layers, build up the center of the driveway so it is a few inches higher than the edges. This creates a hump in the middle that helps water to drain.

Spread the gravel for small beds, walkways and driveways, using a rake. Rake from the center of the area out to the edges.