Buying rakes: what to look for

In autumn almost everyone reaches for the rake, but in spring, when laying out a border or levelling soil, a rake is indispensable too. Yet not all rakes are the same. A leaf rake will not level lumps of soil, and a steel rake damages a lawn if you use it to gather leaves. In this buying guide you will read which types of rake there are, what to look for when buying and how to work safely without straining your back.

The main types of rake

Leaf rake and fan rake

A leaf rake has long, springy tines that fan out. This lets you sweep together leaves, grass clippings and light garden waste without tearing up the lawn.

• A 60 cm leaf rake is wide and therefore quick on large lawns and paths.
• A EXP fan rake or XTR fan rake is handy for everyday autumn work around the house and patio.
• With a adjustable aluminium telescopic rake you adjust the handle length to your height and the job.

Steel rake or soil rake

A steel rake has short, sturdy tines on a straight head. Use it to spread and level soil, sand, compost and gravel, and to remove stones and roots from a border.

• A Traditional rake with 12 tines is manoeuvrable in borders and vegetable beds.
• A Traditional rake with 16 tines or ERGO rake with 16 tines is wider and therefore faster on larger areas of soil.
• A universal rake with 18 tines is a wide, versatile model for soil, gravel and levelling a sand bed.
• A adjustable rake has an adjustable working width, so one rake handles both narrow and wide areas.

Hand rake and cultivator

For planters, narrow borders and work on your knees a short model is more practical.

• With a hand rake you rake around plants without damaging them.
• A hand cultivator or a three-prong cultivator loosens the top layer of soil and helps remove weeds. Read more about weeds between paving in our blog on removing weeds between paving tiles.

What to look for when buying

• Tines: springy tines for leaves and grass, stiff steel tines for soil and gravel. Also look at the spacing: close together for fine leaves, further apart for coarse material.
• Working width: a wide rake works faster on open areas, a narrow rake is better between plants and in corners.
• Handle: a handle that suits your height stops you working bent over. A rake with a telescopic handle is useful when several people use the same rake.
• Fixing: a sturdy connection between head and handle prevents wobbling and coming loose.
• Weight: a light rake is more comfortable for long leaf raking, a heavier rake helps when spreading soil.

💡 With lots of leaves, combine a rake with a cordless blower or a cordless leaf vacuum and blower. Blow or vacuum the leaves off the patio and paths, then rake them together on the lawn. Read more about garden tools in our guide to Stalco Garden tools.

How to rake without straining your back

1. Stand upright with the rake close to your body and work from your legs, not your back.
2. Switch hands and sides regularly.
3. Rake in short strokes towards you and make small heaps instead of one big pile.
4. Take regular breaks, especially at the start of the season.
5. Do not clear leaves when they are soaking wet: they are heavy and stick to the tines.

What to do with the leaves and how to prepare the rest of the garden for winter is in our blog on getting your garden ready for winter.

Working safely

• Wear garden gloves with latex coating or work gloves with nitrile coating against blisters, splinters, thorns and dirt. Read more about garden gloves in our blog on gardening gloves and tools.
• Always put a rake down with the tines facing down, or stand it with the tines towards the wall. A rake lying tines up is a well-known hazard.
• Wear sturdy footwear, such as garden wellington boots or safety shoe, especially when raking gravel and soil.
• When using a leaf blower, wear earmuffs and safety goggles, and never aim it at people or animals.
• With dry, dusty leaves or compost, an FFP2 dust mask can be useful, especially if you are sensitive to dust or mould spores.
• Watch out for hidden pipes and cables when working deep in the soil with a steel rake or cultivator. If in doubt, work shallowly and leave digging around pipes to a professional.

When to call in a professional?

You can easily keep a garden tidy yourself. For a large garden, many trees, laying lawns or levelling large areas of soil, calling in a landscape gardener is never unnecessary. A professional knows which tool works fastest at which moment, levels soil to the right height and fall, and clears large amounts of leaves and pruning waste efficiently.

Common mistakes

• Using a steel rake to clear leaves from the lawn, damaging the grass.
• A handle that is too short, so you work bent over all the time.
• Leaving a rake lying with the tines facing up.
• Trying to move large piles of wet leaves in one go.

Read also: How to trim a hedge: DIY step-by-step, Pruning trees safely: step-by-step guide and How to lay a new lawn: step by step.

Frequently asked questions

Which rake should I use for leaves on the lawn?

A leaf rake or fan rake with springy tines. It gathers the leaves without tearing up the grass.

Which rake should I use to level soil?

A steel rake or soil rake with short, sturdy tines. Use the back to smooth the soil flat.

How do I look after my rake?

Clean the tines after use, let the rake dry and store it dry, tines down or hung up.

Where can you find everything for this job?

At Saniso, the online store for DIYers and professionals, you will find tools, materials and personal protective equipment for your job.

• Browse our construction tools and our workwear and safety.
• Create a customer account and order easily.
• Working on a bigger project or want to hand over the job? Request a project quote.
• Book a showroom visit, at least 24 hours in advance.
• Not sure which material suits your job? Get in touch with us.

In doubt about the approach? Feel free to call in a professional.

Read also: Checking your roof after a storm: how to do it safely

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