How Do You Protect Your Gravel And Hoggin Surface In Winter?

During most of the year, a graded hoggin surface is a perfect addition to a historic or traditional-looking home and garden.

Much like gravel, its biggest practical benefit is its versatility, as it can be very easily taken care of, keeping its shape and aesthetic appeal without requiring specialist maintenance.

However, one consideration that a homeowner needs to make in winter is that both gravel and hoggin are particularly vulnerable to the effects of rain, snow and the freeze-thaw cycle, and this can cause erosion, pools of standing water and displacement of the surface.

Thankfully, it can also be protected through preventative maintenance, and with that in mind, here are some top tips to keep your surface protected this winter.

Clear Away Debris

Gravel and hoggin can sometimes accumulate more garden waste and debris than concrete or tarmac, in part because it is a loose surface that small leaves and twigs can worm their way into.

These are common points for snow and ice to accumulate, which can cause issues with black ice and uneven surfaces.

Thankfully, if you maintain a regular raking schedule, this is less of an issue, and your surface will be far less troublesome when the weather makes it impossible to clear.

Fill Potholes

If you notice any divots or uneven areas even after raking the surface, this might mean that a pothole has developed that needs to be repaired or potentially that the surface needs to be regraded.

Depending on how deep these holes are, this could be as simple as adding extra gravel or hoggin material, or it could require more substantial repair work from an expert in the field.

Use Sand Rather Than Salt

As salt can damage gravel and cause issues for your garden if applied wrongly, it is better to lay sand on an iced-over or snowed-under gravel or hoggin path.

This helps to improve traction whilst the ice naturally melts.