Cleaning leaves out of flower beds?

I have flower beds that are layered with lava rock. The shrubs have shed a lot of their leaves during the cold weather and now I need to remove them.





I thought the best way would be to blow them out with the yard blower, but even on low power, that blows the lava rock out too.





Any ideas on how to easily get rid of the leaves?





Thanks in advance.

Cleaning leaves out of flower beds?
Well, there's the bend and pick up method that works. Great ab workout too. Last year my hubby made me a great tool. He took an old broomstick and put a long nail in one end. I pick up the leaves by stabbing with the nail. When I get a bunch of leaves on the nail I put the leaves in a bag then i step on the bag to mulch the leaves and put in compost bin. It works great!
Reply:A yard blower is probably the answer, even tho it may blow some lava rocks out to, maybe stand farther back from area so force isn,t as great. Might also help if you cover area before leaves start to fall in area next time
Reply:oh no don't say that work....leaves....imagine two big oak trees....starting to shed ever single leaf ....that means all over the lawn....garden...driveway....sidewalk......





...so I can understand your problem...so I have found using the hose with a spray attachment...used the right way.....it removes the leaves without the ground cover(I use tree bark not mulch.....or lava rock....)
Reply:I have been in this business for 30+ years and when it comes to lava rock and leaves I say good luck... Your options are heavy gloves and lots of time picking out the leaves individually, using an electric leaf blower( which seems to have lower power abilities than gas ones) - hold it on a flatter angle and higher above the lava rock , or simply replacing the lava rock with another choice of "mulch".
Reply:with a rake
Reply:I would use a rake and my hands.I know this will take time,but you have to do it this way.

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