Jessica ZanderWhen leaves fall in the autumn, you have to figure out how to clear them away from your driveways and sidewalks. But what do you do if they fall on your gravel driveway or path? Removing them can be a bit more difficult because they tend to become lodged in between the stones. Here are a few tips on how to get rid of those pesky leaves.
Contents
You can do these six things to remove leaves from gravel
- Rake the leaves.
- Vacuum the leaves.
- Blow the leaves away.
- Sweep it with a straw broom.
- Hand-rake it if it’s a small area.
Things You Will Need
- Rakes (Long handle rake and hand rake)
- Leaf blower.
- Straw broom.
- Leaf vacuum.
- Basket/trash bag.
Rake the Leaves
The first step is to rake the leaves. You can use a long-handled rake or a hand rake. Be sure to get all the leaves on top of the gravel. If you have a lot of leaves, you may need to do this a few times.
You should get a rake for leaves and gravel surfaces like the Bully Tools 92309 Bow Rake. The Bully Tools rake is seen by many as the best rake for leaf removal because it has unique teeth that are designed to grab leaves without scattering the gravel. The next step is to remove the leaves from the rake. You can do this by shaking the rake or using a leaf blower. Once the leaves are off the rake, you can put them in a bag or compost them.
If you have a lot of leaves, you may need to rake them into a pile of leaves and then bag them. This can be a lot of work, but having a clean gravel driveway/pathway is worth it.
Vacuum or blow the leaves
If you are dealing with many dry leaves, you may want to consider using a leaf vacuum or mulcher. We recommend this process if the leaves aren’t much and may be stuck between the gravels. Your leaf vacuum will also come in handy when the leaf blower cannot handle the task.
You’ll be using your hands from time to time to get the dead leaves where the vacuum or the blower can pick them up.
Use a Straw Broom
The straw broom provides an easy way to remove the leaves without having to get on your hands and knees just yet. It’s suitable for use in the absence of a leaf blower, although it may appear cumbersome to use at first.
Just drag the broom over the leaves, and they will be gently swept away. You may need to go over them a few times to get them all, but a straw broom is an easy way to get the leaves out of your gravel surface.
Clean By Hand Raking
You can clean your gravel driveway by hand raking if you don’t have a leaf blower or straw broom. You will need to rake the leaves into piles and then bag them. This is the most tedious method, but it will get the job done.
This method is best for small areas or if you only have a few leaves to deal with. It is also the best method to use if you have a lot of flowers or other plants in your gravel driveway that you don’t want to damage.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are several ways to clean leaves from a gravel driveway. The best method will depend on the leaves you are dealing with and the size and shape of your driveway. Choose the best method for you, and enjoy a clean gravel driveway this fall!
I've been passionate about gardening since the early 1990s, and in 2022, I launched You Can Do It Gardening to empower individuals to feel more confident in their gardening endeavors.
Following a 30-year career in nonprofit finance and operations, I transitioned out of that field in mid-June of 2023 due to the growing demand for coaching services. Interestingly, my years of presenting financial statements to boards and finance committees proved to be valuable experience for teaching people about gardening! I enjoy sharing skills, providing guidance and suggestions, and collaborating efficiently with clients to make significant improvements to their outdoor spaces, both small and large. I also regularly teach at the Arlington Continuing Education and Cambridge Adult Education.
My approach is direct and practical, akin to Mary Poppins, but tailored to your garden. Clients find satisfaction in saving money and taking pride in their own gardening achievements.
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Hello! I’m Jessica Zander, a garden coach and consultant based in the Boston area (zone 6b), offering virtual consultations across the country and Canada.
I’ve been passionate about gardening since the early 1990s, and in 2022, I launched You Can Do It Gardening to empower individuals to feel more confident in their gardening endeavors.
Following a 30-year career in nonprofit finance and operations, I transitioned out of that field in mid-June of 2023 due to the growing demand for coaching services. Interestingly, my years of presenting financial statements to boards and finance committees proved to be valuable experience for teaching people about gardening! I enjoy sharing skills, providing guidance and suggestions, and collaborating efficiently with clients to make significant improvements to their outdoor spaces, both small and large. I also regularly teach at the Arlington Continuing Education and Cambridge Adult Education.
My approach is direct and practical, akin to Mary Poppins, but tailored to your garden. Clients find satisfaction in saving money and taking pride in their own gardening achievements.
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