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Removing leaves from gravel

Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 155
in Problem solving
Anyone got any advice for removing leaves from gravel.  There aren't enough to warrant buying a leaf blower (I don't think), but getting them up without removing the gravel as well is a bit of a problem.  I've looked online at mini-blowers, but the feedback doesn't seem worth bothering with them.

Posts

  • B3B3 Posts: 27,505
    If there's not  that many I'd wait for a week or so of dry weather and they'll blow away or to somewhere you can collect them more easily but then I'm awful idle😉
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328
    We were wondering the same thing... I have a leaf rake, one of those with blunt plastic springy "teeth" which is excellent on the lawn, and a rubber rake which is ideal for the patio, but nothing works on gravel.  Except... when the wind changes, and blows all the leaves into the next field.   :)
    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • rachelQrtJHBjbrachelQrtJHBjb Posts: 819
    Burgon and Ball do a shrub rake. I have the mid-handled one and find it quite useful on gravel as it doesn't disturb the stones too much.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,487
    ....... except, Liriodendron , not so many folk in the UK have the howling winds we do OR have fields alongside them.  Nice thought though.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    The best way to collect them on gravel is a brush. You can rake the bulk of them, but then use a brush lightly over the surface. It takes a wee while to get the technique, but once mastered, it makes light work of it. 

    It's a tried and tested method, perfected over years when working with horses, and a large expanse of gravel in the yard.  ;)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 155
    Thanks folks.  Liriodendron, we do have howling gales here, but it's the sodden ones left on the stones which are the problem.  Fairygirl, I'll try the brush method.  What kind of brush do you use?  A normal outdoor one or a "witch' broom" type one?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Just a normal one - pull it towards you gently, just skimming the surface of the gravel. As you get the hang of it, you'll be able to use it more firmly. I was just tidying one of my paths yesterday as I've been digging out stuff and moving it, so the path was quite messy   :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Joy*Joy* Posts: 571
    I haven't got a huge amount of gravel but do have a lot of feathery  leaves. What I can't pick up by the handful I brush together with a soft hand brush. Last year I hoped that they would be gathered together by the wind but it just blew them everywhere. 
  • Poly-anthusPoly-anthus Posts: 155
    Thank you.  The forecast here is not good for tomorrow but when it dries up a bit I'll be out there with a brush!
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