Cleaning leaves out from between rocks can be a tedious chore, especially if you have a large rock garden or landscaped area with lots of crevices for debris to get trapped in. However, with some simple tools and techniques, you can easily remove leaves from rocks and keep your hardscape looking fresh and debris-free.
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Why it’s Important to Remove Leaves from Rocks
Here are some of the top reasons you’ll want to keep leaves from accumulating around your rocks:
- Prevent rot and decay – Wet, decomposing leaves can cause moisture damage and encourage mold, mildew, and rotting if left to sit on and around rocks.
- Avoid staining and discoloration – Certain types of leaves, like oak leaves, can stain rocks if allowed to remain in place over time.
- Improve aesthetics – Obviously you want your beautifully designed rock garden or landscaping to look its best, not covered in unsightly leaves and debris.
- Encourage proper drainage – Leaves and debris prevent water from draining properly between rocks, which can lead to pooling or flooding issues.
- Make it easier to spot weeds – Removing leaves helps you see where weeds may be sprouting up so you can quickly pull them.
- Reduce risk of pests – Leaf clutter provides shelter for slugs, snails, and other garden pests you don’t want living in your rocks.
Tools You’ll Need
Equipping yourself with the right tools will make leaf removal much easier. Here are some must-have supplies:
- Rake – A standard fan rake or garden rake will allow you to sweep leaves off the tops of rocks and pull out leaves from rock crevices.
- Broom – A sturdy broom is great for sweeping up leaf debris from the nooks and crannies between rocks.
- Leaf blower – A gas or electric powered leaf blower is very useful for blowing out leaves that get lodged deep between rocks.
- Garden hose – Use a forceful spray of water to dislodge stuck-on leaves and wash debris down drains or off to the side.
- Trowel or hand shovel – A small digging tool helps scoop and scrape out leaves that get really packed into rock crevices.
- Gloves – Wear protective gloves to avoid hand irritation when reaching into prickly spaces between rocks.
Techniques for Removing Leaves from Rocks
When tackling debris-filled rocks, use these techniques:
Rake
Use a rake to loosen and sweep out leaves resting on top of rocks and in the crevices between them. Work your way systematically across the area, raking from one side to the other. Use short strokes and small movements to lift leaves out without damaging plants or dislodging rocks.
Blow
A leaf blower is very effective for forcing out leaves wedged deep between rocks. Concentrate the blower nozzle at different angles to dislodge the leaf debris. Caution: Do not aim directly at planted areas as the blower can damage plants.
Spray
Attach a nozzle to your garden hose and use a strong stream of water to wash away leaves caught in rock crevices. The force of the water will help dislodge leaves and also wash the debris away down drains or into ground cover areas.
Scoop and Scrape
For stubborn debris that remains stuck after raking, blowing, and spraying, use a small trowel, hand shovel, or garden spoon to carefully scoop and scrape out the leaf litter packed between rocks. A stiff bristled broom can also work.
Remove Rocks
If there are loose rocks you can easily remove, lift these out one by one to clear away all the leaves underneath the rocks. Use a trowel to also dig out any leaves underneath fixed rocks that you can’t lift up. Replace the removable rocks once the area is clear.
When to Clean Leaves from Rocks
Aim to remove leaves from your stone features:
- During regular yard maintenance
- After high winds or stormy weather
- When you notice leaf buildup getting excessive
- At the end of fall leaf drop season
Clean leaves from rocks as often as needed to prevent rotting, staining, and excessive buildup. At minimum, plan to do a thorough leaf clearing at the end of fall.
Tips for Preventing Leaves in Rock Features
To proactively stop leaves from collecting in rock crevices, try these preventive measures:
- Cover up rocks with landscape fabric during peak leaf fall. Weigh down the fabric edges with rocks.
- Plant natural barriers around the rocks, like shrubs and grasses, to help block leaves.
- Put up small fencing or netting to catch leaves before they reach the rocks.
- Use your leaf blower periodically to prevent leaves from building up.
- Apply anti-stick sprays that make leaves slide off instead of sticking to the rocks.
Avoid Damaging Rocks
When digging and scraping leaves from between rocks, take care not to inadvertently damage or mark the rock surfaces. Use plastic tools instead of metal, and don’t scrape too rigorously.
Proper Leaf Disposal
Once you’ve removed the leaves from around your rocks, dispose of the debris properly by:
- Raking leaves into an organics collection bin
- Blowing or raking leaves into a natural wooded area
- Bagging leaves in paper lawn bags and placing at the curb for collection
- Composting leaves to enrich your garden soil
Never blow or rake leaves into storm drains where they can clog waterways. And don’t dump leaves in the street where they can block drainage.
Hire Help for Large Jobs
If you have an exceptionally large rock garden or stone landscape area, you may wish to hire a professional landscape company to handle the leaf removal task. Companies have powerful blowers and vacuum systems to make quick work of clearing tons of leaves from around rocks and other landscaping elements.
Keep Your Rocks Leaf-Free
Allowing leaves to remain around rocks can lead to some unsightly problems in your yard and garden. Stop leaves in their tracks by regularly cleaning out rock crevices using rakes, blowers, hoses and your own muscle power. Or prevent leaves from piling up in the first place with fencing, fabric covers, and leaf-repelling sprays. Keep your prized rocks free of rot, stains, and clutter for a pristine landscape all year long.