How do I clear debris from my front yard that has no grass only rocks?

Erin H
by Erin H

I got a notice from our HOA today saying that our front yard is a mess. Now we just moved to Las Vegas from Charleston, SC and as all your Charlestonions know, pinestraw is used in every bit of landscaping. Well, I never gave it a second glance. Well our entire yard is rocks. Little red rocks to be exact. I hate them. I hate the yard. I, quite frankly, hate Vegas and the lack of grass, trees and rain. My question is, how do I get rid of the, what looks like pinestraw from the front yard without displacing the rocks. I thought a rake, but that would get the rocks in a tizzy, maybe a leaf blower? This is our first house (and we are renting it) we have always lived in apartments where the landscaping was done for us. I don't mean to sound stupid, but yardwork just isn't my forte, lawnmowing and weedwhacking is one thing, but actual yardwork is a whole other story!


  6 answers
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Jul 02, 2012
    I would start with the blower. I would also ask the neighbors how the previous renters dealt with it and talk to the landlord too. I hate rocks too! Or you can hire someone to take care of it, here its pretty reasonable. Call around first and get quotes.
  • Douglas Hunt Douglas Hunt on Jul 03, 2012
    A leaf blower is probably the way to go. Ask your neighbors, who probably have the same red rocks.
  • Erin H Erin H on Jul 03, 2012
    Land lord said she use to use a broom. It was a pain in the butt but I guess it worked for her. Looking into a landscaping person might be an option though. Not that landscaping is really he word for what this is.... Vegas = rocks and random plants that thrive on no water. Sadly no grass :(
  • Carroll A Carroll A on Jul 03, 2012
    Shop vac? LOL
  • Carroll is sort of right, but she has the wrong end in mind. You want to use the blower end. The vac will pick up the rocks as well. But the blower end is strong enough to move the straw, but not so strong that it will displace the tiny stones.
  • Erin H Erin H on Nov 27, 2012
    Got a leaf blower and it literally blows everything out. I reallllllly want to make the rocks disappear and put grass in the front yard.