Guide to Clearing Your Yard of Sticks, Rocks, and Other Debris

Cleaning a yard can be an intimidating endeavor. That’s why, for a lot of us, the task tends to get put on the back burner. But tackling it brings a lot of benefits.

“A clean, well-maintained yard doesn’t just look better, it’s easier to manage, safer and healthier for your lawn,” says handy-person Christopher Watson. “Letting debris build up can damage grass, attract pests and create more work for you later.”

The good news is, it doesn’t have to be a monumental undertaking. Here are some practical strategies for clearing yards in the easiest way possible, plus what tools you’ll need and how to reuse all of those materials you’ve just cleaned up.

Basic Cleanup Tools

To clean up yard debris, it’s helpful to have:

• Cut-resistant work gloves, to protect your hands from blisters, cuts and splinters,
• Safety glasses and sturdy footwear,
• A leaf rake, to remove leaves, pine needles and twigs without damaging the soil,
• A heavy-duty metal rake, to remove heavier materials,
• Shovels, for removing soil, rocks and larger debris,
• Branch cutting tools, such as a pruner or chainsaw,
• A push broom,
• A trash grabber,
• A magnet sweeper, for catching nails and small bits of metal,
• A wheelbarrow or garden cart, to haul away debris, and
• A leaf blower, to quickly gather finer debris, like leaves and grass clippings.

Real estate preparation expert Derek Shewmon also recommends using a large drag tarp. “That allows you to haul huge loads of debris across the lawn quickly, instead of making dozens of exhausting trips with a standard wheelbarrow,” he says.

Start With Large Debris

Before you begin clearing a yard, choose a staging area near the driveway or gate, where you can sort branches, rocks and garbage into separate piles. It’s most efficient to remove larger objects first, otherwise those get in the way of cleaning up smaller debris, says landscaper Ross Hulstein. “It also has the biggest impact on how the yard looks,” he says.

• Pry up smaller rocks with a shovel, or use a stiff landscape rake to pull them into piles. From there, use a flat shovel to scoop them into a bucket or wheelbarrow. For less strain, consider using a garden cart, like a Gorilla Cart.
• Use leverage to move large rocks, like a pry bar and block of wood. Using plywood to roll them can also help protect the soil and prevent injuries, says site preparation expert Daniel Crowley.
• Chop up large branches and sort them by size. Then stack them neatly and bundle the stacks together.
• Separate trash and recyclables from yard waste.
• Use caution with brush piles, as wildlife may be nesting inside.
• Use a rigid container for broken glass to prevent punctures.

Safety pro-tip: “Take care with this step, because the first pass is where you’re going to be coming across all of the hidden nails, glass, thorns and sharp metal,” says home improvement expert Josh Eberly.

How to Clear Small Debris Efficiently

Leaf blowers, rakes and push brooms are effective for clearing yards of small, light debris, like leaves, needles and grass clippings. A rake can also help loosen layers of dead grass. “Work in sections to stay organized,” says Watson. “First, rake debris into rows and combine into piles, then remove it using a tarp or shovel.”

Pro-tip: Choose the right weather for clean-up days. Slightly damp leaves are easier to manage, but moisture makes branches heavier and causes gravel and debris to stick to the ground.

Reusing and Recycling Natural Materials

Clearing yards doesn’t have to mean sending a lot of material to the landfill.

• Use leaves for compost and much.
• Branches make good firewood and garden borders. You can also rent a wood chipper to turn them into mulch.
• Grass clippings work well as natural fertilizer.
• Rocks are ideal for landscaping, drainage paths and erosion control.
• Piles of wood, rocks and/or leaves, provide shelter for invertebrates, including native bees and other pollinators, plus harbor insects that feed birds.
• Don’t reuse diseased limbs, invasive vines or those with fungus.

“While buyer preferences for landscaping styles vary, showcasing sustainable practices, like recycling healthy organic yard waste, consistently adds value to the property,” says Shewmon.

Safety pro-tip: Wear a dust mask when reusing mulch or soil. “Dormant mold spores become airborne before you notice odor or discoloration,” says Crowley.

FAQ

How often should I clear yard debris?

For regular maintenance, clear away debris every month or so in the summer, and two weeks in the spring and fall. After a storm, it’s also important to promptly remove debris, to keep everyone safe.

What should I do with large rocks?

Large rocks are great for landscaping borders, pathways and drainage areas. “You can also relocate them to unused areas or create rock piles for practical use,” says Watson. “Or, if they’re excessive or otherwise in your way, your neighbors might be interested in them.”

About the Experts

• Christopher Watson is a handy-person and home expert at American Home Shield.
• Derek Shewmon is founder of HOMEstretch, a company that helps homeowners prepare their properties for the market.
• Daniel Crowley is CEO of Hello Gravel, which specializes in aggregate materials and site preparation for residential and commercial projects.
• Ross Hulstein is owner at Enviroscapes, a full-service landscaping and grounds maintenance company in Denver, Colorado.
• Josh Eberly is a home improvement, outdoor living and site prep specialist, and design lead at Marygrove Awnings, which serves 18 states in the east and Midwest.

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