Novice; garden full of stones

[maldivemoment]

I’m totally new to gardening but trying to spruce up our front garden. I’ve purchased some plant to put in. So far I’ve planted some impatiens, also called Busy Lizzie, I believe (?)
When digging up parts of the garden I’ve found loads & loads of stones. Not big boulders, just loads of little ones, like the kind people may have in their drive. My question is; should I remove as many as possible before planting or are they okay to stay in the soil?
Many thanks

I’d try and remove as many as you can. Stones will make it difficult for small plants like Busy Lizzies to put down their delicate roots.

Don’t make it really hard work, do small patches at a time. The best way would be to use a garden sieve.

Are you in a new build by any chance? It's a nightmare, soil quality is that of a brick yard...I tried sieving stones out but that's basically impossible for the whole garden. Plants are still growing. I plan on adding a layer of compost to the whole thing.

Thanks for your replies. Not a new build. Victorian terrace. The gardens full of bloody stones underneath the lawn! D’you reckon I should try sieving? (Now off to look online for garden sieve!)

Our garden is full of stones too. We've been here six years and every year I remove more, but I never tried to do it all in one go. If your front garden is full of gravel, I'd guess that at some point someone has turned a gravel driveway into a front garden. Do it bit by bit OP.

We had stones, got rid of them all! It's hard work but worth it

I don’t believe in making more work than necessary. I would clear just small areas for the plants like Busy Lizzie. The rest I would use for Gravel Garden plants and grasses. If you look At Beth Chatto and Piet Oudolf you will hopefully be inspired.

Thank you all. Very helpful. 👍