Does anyone have to deal with raking leaves off from gravel or mulch?

[Poiuyt]

There's a section in my yard where I can't grow any grass because of deep shade. I've considered putting down some pea gravel or mulch for a path to go around beds of ferns and hostas. The only problem is that I have a huge amount of leaves that fall every year. I'm concerned that it would be very difficult to rake the leaves off from the path. I've tried inexpensive yard vacs in the past, but they kept jamming from all the twigs that also fall.

Any ideas?

[TygrBright]

1. Use a broom, not a rake!

Sweep them onto a tarp, pick up the corners, and take out to the compost heap. Here in New Mexico gravel is an integral part of landscaping, since we xeriscape so much. People keep brooms for dealing with the leaves, etc., in the tool rack right along with the rakes and shovels, etc.

helpfully,
Bright

[Poiuyt]

2. A broom works for sweeping leaves off from gravel?

I'd think that you'd be sweeping gravel too. I'm not sure how well that would work here in Wisconsin, since we can have a lot of rain in the fall. The leaves from my trees (maple, horse chestnut, and cottonwood) tend to mat down, especially if they're wet.

[TygrBright]

3. Depends on the size of the gravel, and how hard you sweep!

Here most gravel is 3/4" to 1", so it's too heavy to pick up with light broom strokes. Also, it's very dry here, so the leaves are light and dry. Might be a problem in cheeseland with the heavy autumn dew, though...

diffidently,
Bright