So I have a section of the garden layered with small-ish stones which I want to clear for veg growing. What kind of ideas are there which are cheap and not too tasking. I'm thinking of some kind of sieve or sifter method. The images are of the top layer and what it looks like after digging a couple inches 
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2 Answers
Just scrape off the layer of stones before you dig with a rake or a shovel and put them in something to either use elsewhere or dispose of. When you want to dig an area that's not been cultivated for a while, there's usually debris sitting on the top, even if there's no layer of stones, so its usual to scrape that off prior to digging. There's no easy way to get the stones off other than a bit of physical labour - if there are some larger pebbles mixed into the soil, then pick those out as you dig. One or two left in the soil here and there won't be a problem. This is still easier than turning the pebbles into the soil and then having to sieve it, although if you miss a lot of them, some sieving may be necessary.
There are very large machines used for extracting stone from soil, but they are massive and only used by contractors in large areas, say on building sites or sports grounds as part of the preparation for building something, but there's nothing small enough to use in a home garden.
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1A plastic milk crate (holding 4 one gallon jugs, or 4 four liter jugs) can ne used as a sieve over a trash can etc. Bolt a couple wooden 2X4's (50X100 mm), 3 feet or a meter long to two sides. Dump your dirt/rock mix in and shake. You will develop strong arms and an aching back. Oct 12, 2019 at 17:25
After removing the top layer, you try one of these nut gatherers (note: this is a commercial site). Since it can pick up black walnuts in their husks, it could certainly take care of your river rock. You would, however, have to spend a lot time going over and over your site with the tool, so it may not be time well spent. It could save your back and knees, though.
