Yeah, how about raised beds with weed-free gravel paths in between? :-]

If it bothers you, user a pick to punch some holes through the gravel.

The issue with old driveways isn't the gravel, but soil compaction from having heavy cars driving over it for potentially decades. Removing the gravel does nothing to loosen the soil beneath it.

That might be a good opportunity to decompact with a broadfork. You'd likely need a good one.

Thanks guys

drmear berry, I think most larger plants, like pole beans, have that major taproot, but with your comment I'm thinking you're right to trust the plants. They seem to find a way, right? The soil is good. Normally, I would only rip out a 6-8" wide bed for pole beans, but I took out the grass and weed very dilligently for more than 2' wide. My thinking was; if they're stuck with the good topsoil instead of being able to go down, I'll give em more room in that
6".

Now, I'm also thinking to remove gravel right where the seed will germinate to allow the little plant to grow strong before it needs to fight the gravel.

and tox,

I'm thinking all that gravel would be nice for so many things! Sift it out a little at a time.... Meh. Man, I already have too many long arduous tasks. I think I'll just let it grow back after this season or maybe winter sow some perennial, like lavender, that might thrive in this spot. It's a good idea, but I can just find another spot and remember it's there for later.

mad, @the parsley (lol) I hear ya. Knew the people who lived here before us. My husband says the guy used to park his Jaguar inside the fence at that spot when they left town. Fortunately, it's not compacted. Indeed, when we moved in, our cars got stuck from the soft soil. Now that I'm remembering this, I can see why he put the gravel down.

bon