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Gardening Tools of the Trade – 5 Rakes For Every Garden – By Vincent J. Zuzow

“Rake Me, Shake Me”

While not one of the Four Tops (popular Motown singing group from Detroit, MI) top 10 songs, the rake is a basic staple in the garden. Many things can be done with automated machines, but then again, some things just require good ol’ fashioned muscle power and elbow grease.  Getting dead leaves and other debris from under bushes, spreading and leveling dirt before re-seeding and de-thatching small areas of your lawn all require the use of different types of rakes.

 

Here are a list of some popular and useful garden rakes to have on hand around your Earthen Garden:

Leaf rake
Commonly used for gathering leaves in the spring and fall.  Used for giving a light combing of your lawn or anywhere you need to collect and pick up lighter, topical debris. This rake is a wider ‘fan’ style of rake with the tines (fingers) spread out over a 48″ to 56″ or wider grabbing area. The idea here is to grab or gather as much debris as possible in each sweep of the rake.  Since the debris is usually dried leaves or pine cones etc., the rake (and your arms, shoulders and back), are put under less strain.

De-thatching rake - also called a thatching rake for some reason
A metal rake with pointed angular tines designed to lift dead thatch for removal from a lawn. The thatch is then gathered usually with a leaf rake, then picked up and put into a recycling bin for lawn waste or put into a compost bin or compost pile. This rake is only used occasionally, and can give you a workout so drink plenty of water and wear gloves. Make sure you are patient and practice the angle of the de-thatching rake to get the most out of the tool and your efforts.

Landscape rake – sometimes called a ‘Beach rake’ (if you can justify the periodic use verses the cost of it)
This specialty rake is usually flat on one side and has teeth on the other. It is very useful for preparing ground before planting grass seed or the laying of sod.  The toothy side of the rake is good for gathering stones and other debris for collection and removal.  The flat side is best for smoothing the earth and grading soil.  A smooth, well graded surface is key before laying sod or planting.  

Shrub rake
This type of rake comes in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all fall under the same category and serve a similar purpose – to service, access and address hard to reach areas in the yard.  This may be under shrubs and bushes to remove leaves and other waste or for light cultivation and general sprucing up of wood chips, stones or loose soil.  Some of these tools are on small 4 foot handles and some are sold as handle-less hand tools for ease of use in tight quarters and small areas.  The best use of these rakes is where mobility and ease of use on small areas is needed. I have also seen shrub rakes uses for ‘combing’ the tops of shrubs after trimming the shrub – to remove small cuttings or trimmings from the bush.  Need to get a stray ball out from under the porch?  This guy is your go-to rake of choice for that job as well!

Bow rake (hard rake)
Possibly the second most useful rake in the shed is the Bow rake – sometimes called the hard rake in some parts of the world. This rake is similar in some ways to the landscape rake in that it has a toothed side and a flat side.   It is also a very useful tool for preparing ground before planting grass seed or the laying of sod.  This rake is seen in many homes and may be the predecessor to the larger landscape rake.  One difference between the two is that the bow rake is made of steel and is very rugged.  The landscape rake is generally made of aluminum with a hollow aluminum handle, and is lighter in weight than it looks – but less sturdy than the Bow rake.  The toothy side of the rake is good for gathering stones and other debris for collection and removal.  The flat side is best for smoothing the earth and grading soil.  A smooth, well graded surface is key before laying sod or planting.  

Well there you have it. Rakes are simple but very useful tools and when treated with respect and care will last a very long time in your Earthen Garden!

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