Skip Standard Gravel — The Sand-Like Alternative To Consider For Your Driveway

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Like finding the right exterior paint from your home, selecting the best gravel for your driveway can make or break your curb appeal. But instead of paint color and sheen, the choices are rock type, size, and, yes, color. And as any peek into your home improvement store's gravel section will tell you, there are options aplenty ... prompting many homeowners to pick standard gravel and call it a day. But if you do, you might be missing out on one of the most glamorous options around: Jersey Shore gravel.

Excavated from South Jersey's waterways, this gravel is distinctive for its stunning sand-like colors, feel, and even the occasional shell. Its round shape, like its cousin, pea gravel, is tire-friendly and offers a clean, consistent appearance. Plus, it can withstand weathering, drains well, and isn't easily moved by the wind or rain when properly installed with edging. But, still, there are a few drawbacks of gravel driveways to be aware of. Because it is only found in South Jersey, it can be more expensive, depending on where you're located in the world and how much of it you need. Its warm yellow-beige tones work wonderfully on beachy homes or those with coastal-inspired decor, but may not blend with other styles. However, its color is similar to that of Cotswold chippings (aka Cotswold gravel), and may lend a cottagecore-meets-beach vibe to your home.

Want to give Jersey Shore gravel a try in your driveway? The good news is the installation is essentially the same as any other gravel with one major change: edging, or creating a barrier between your driveway and the rest of your yard. This helps keep the gravel in your driveway instead of spreading across your property. There are probably a lot of edging options at your local home improvement store, but make sure to find ones that can handle the wear and tear of driveways. There are two popular options that can keep Jersey Shore gravel neat and tidy: Belgian blocks and steel edging. Which one should you use? It depends on the look you're going for. The rectangular granite of Belgian blocks lends a sleek, classic look while steel edging, such as Stirlingear Corrugated Metal Landscape Edging, has more of a modern, even minimalist look.

Once you install Jersey Shore gravel in your driveway, how do you keep it in top shape? There are a few pointers to maintain your gravel driveway and, luckily, they're simple to do. First, use a gravel rake, like Lilyvane 63" Bow Rake, to even it out when you're wrapping up your weekly (or biweekly) yard work to keep it looking pristine. Don't forget to add more gravel as needed. Then during your annual fall and spring cleaning, examine the stones themselves for damage from the winter or summer seasons so your driveway looks stunning for years to come.