I would never believe it if I hadn’t seen it (or should I say “If we wouldn’t have done it with our own two hands!”) The picture you are looking at is from the project in southern Northfield that I started to describe to you last week, and yes, that is shredded bark covering the brand spanking new driveway with (from left) Matt, Jon, Jason, and Jordan wondering what the heck it is that they’ve just done!

The new driveway to the garage was big and bright because it was new concrete and had not aged. Because the rest of the project was in brown or earth tones (see photo at right), it just was too much of an attention grabber. How could it be toned down?

Spencer came up with a novel idea.If you have ever raked wet leaves off your walk or driveway in the spring after the snow has been on it all winter, you’ve probably noticed the stain it leaves behind. If we covered it with shredded bark, and watered it it down for a week or two, maybe the natural tannins in the bark would wash out of the shredded bark and stain the new concrete. Why not give it a try?

After the owners “watered” their driveway for a week or so, we had the unveiling. The concrete was definitely darker , and had that “aged” look. So, if you’re okay with drivers slowing down to stare and have who-knows-what go through their minds, you might want to think about it, if you ever want that “mature” look on your new driveway!!

Written and posted by Doug Grove, Grove Landscaping, Northfield, MN