How to Border a Gravel Driveway

Walk to one side of the gravel driveway and place a tape measure at the side. Measure out approximately 4 to 5 inches and mark the ground using spray chalk. Make identical marks along the remaining perimeter of the driveway at 2- to 3-foot intervals. This helps you dig a straight line.

Place open plastic tarps on the grass beside the driveway or the gravel itself. When you dig, place the removed dirt on top of the tarps to make cleaning up the area easier.

Walk to one end of the chalk line and dig down to a 4-inch depth using the shovel. Excavate the entire area between the chalk line and the side of the gravel driveway. Continue digging along the perimeter of both sides of the driveway until you have two complete trenches.

Insert a tape measure down into the trench along one side and note the measurement. Repeat the process every 3 to 4 feet along both trenches to ensure they are level. If needed, dig out additional soil with the shovel to eliminate raised areas.

Spread 2 1/2 inches of crushed stone pack in the bottom of the trenches and use a hoe to even out the surface. Insert a hand tamper base into the trenches and hit the crushed stone with force to compact it down.

Insert your desired border material into the trench as close as possible to the gravel driveway. If you are using pavers, place them side by side with no gaps between them. If you are using plastic landscape edging, place it into the trench with the lip facing downward and drive landscape spikes through the lip every 3 to 4 inches. If you are using galvanized steel edging, insert it into the trench, place a piece of scrap wood on top and hit the wood with a hammer to drive it 1 inch into the soil.

Shovel the removed soil back into the trench until it reaches the surface of the ground. Walk along the edge of the border and stomp down on the soil to compact it.