Even with well thought-out garden planning, it is unavoidable that leaves fall on gravel beds. Some people even prefer to accept the reduced optics than to do the tedious work of collecting them. Because anyone who has ever removed leaves from a gravel bed by hand knows how strenuous the clean-up work is. However, on this page you will find tips on how to avoid the trouble.
Leaves on gravel pose a bit of a challenge
Must the foliage be removed
Perhaps you know the advice not to remove the leaves in the garden, but to leave them as frost protection or natural fertilizer. In fact, fallen leaves have an effective use in this regard. However, this refers primarily to garden beds made of earth. In order to thrive in a gravel bed, plants must have special characteristics. While they are comparatively robust in terms of the environment, they are very sensitive to moisture. Under a thick layer of foliage, moisture builds up very quickly. Moreover, plants in a rock garden usually do not require winter protection.
Removal Measures
Under no circumstances should you try to blow the leaves out of the gravel bed with a leaf blower. In doing so, you not only whirl up small stones and possibly destroy the lovingly arranged arrangement, but also drive away useful insects that seek shelter in the gaps.
brush broom
To remove leaves from gravel, use a brush brush instead. This is a broom made of bound willow or birch. Would you like to make such a broom yourself? You can find instructions on this page.
Prevent leaves on the gravel bed
Choose evergreen plants
You can also prevent foliage by planting coniferous trees in the garden. It doesn't even have to be tall firs, pines or spruces. In the following you will find a selection of handsome, small trees.
- Dwarf Balsam Fir
- Dwarf clam cypress
- Dwarf columnar juniper
- Dwarf Blue Cedar Juniper
- porcupine spruce
- Dwarf snakeskin jaws
- Dwarf mountain pine
- Dwarf Hoe Pine
- Dwarf boxwood
nets
Another option is fine-meshed nets. Spread them out over your gravel bed just in time for the leaves to be shed. After a while, you can remove the leaves along with the protective device. However, you must not leave it lying around for too long, as moisture can form here too.