In 2015, I posted about converting a standard residential parking spot into a green driveway. It’s a pictorial, part of our Project portfolio. Three months later (from mid-May to August), I’d gotten used to the results and I was quite happy!

I’m still pleased, having seen the results over seven seasons (spring through winter, then next spring through to now). It’s like an extra yard with cobblestone wheel paths, and after I got rid of my car, a space for my Adirondack chair.

Now the driveway is under a foot and a half of snow. With no car, I have little need to shovel it out. But if I did, the effort of shovelling a green driveway is different than that of a standard one. For example, you cannot use salt, but neither do you have to clear it right down to the pavement. You shovel out the right-of-way on the street, the wheel tracks, and access to the car doors. When the snow packs and turns to ice, you put down sand, crushed cinders/grit (which I actually collect in the spring from leftovers on the sidewalk and street gutter), or sawdust.

There are two problems I have to mention: If one parks for too long on the green driveway, without sun, the plants under the car die back. As soon as you move the car elsewhere for a day or two and water the driveway, the green comes back. So, if you use the car several times a week during the day: no problem!

The other issue I had was when someone else parked in my driveway and they had an oil leak (which would be a problem anyway). It kills the plants. But oil does biodegrade, so the vegetation came back only a little worse for wear in about two weeks. It still beats seeing an oil stain on your driveway! And if this occurs: just like with winter ice, throw down some sand and/or wood shavings on the oil. That will help get it gone.

Green driveways do the birds good

Last summer when I came home from a run, I had the satisfaction of more proof that this was a great thing to do. As I walked past the driveway on the way in, I startled a small flock of chipping sparrows who were foraging near the garage door. Success! They wouldn’t have been there if the driveway was asphalt or pavers. They felt at home.

Since 2012, when I really started paying attention to the birds here in Little Burgundy, the Chipping Sparrow seems to be increasing in numbers. It will fluctuate, but increases are good. At first I was confused about whether the birds were Chipping or American Tree Sparrows. I haven’t heard the distinct call of the Tree Sparrow, but I often hear the distinct call of the Chipping Sparrow in spring. This persuaded me which one it was. (You can easily see different photos and hear calls the birds make at the All About Birds links here, above and in the photo caption below).

So it’s not just that the driveway provides me all these physical and psychological benefits, from a cooler property with more leisure space, to retaining rainwater and helping prevent flood surges at the municipal level. The green space adds to green space. Cities need and homeowners can provide native habitat for the birds and animals that use it. More birds will then benefit from cities. There’s already ecological census data indicating that cities are beginning to be beneficial environments for many species, and not just skunks and raccoons!

If you have a driveway that could stand converting over from hot and ugly old asphalt to something a little more cool and welcoming, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help!