How to Use a Rake for Gardening

You own a Garden and have long decided to establish a rite: that of raking. But there are different types of rakes. Standing in the aisle of the DIY or hardware store, and we doubt what style of tool to invest in.

The rake, why use it?

Yes, there are many different types of rakes. And unless you have a landscaping business, you may not know or own them all. Which one should you choose? Rakes can be used for many different jobs. Some rakes are used to collect hay, grass clippings, leaves and other similar lightweight materials. Rakes can also be used to spread and level various floor coverings. Some rakes can be used to turn the soil allowing the removal of weeds.

The rake to level the ground

A classic rake is undoubtedly the best option for leveling the ground, whether it is earth, sand or any other material heavier than dead leaves, for which a specific rake will be more suitable (see below). For example, if you have a gravel path in the garden, the classic rake will be very useful. If you have projects to do yourself or if every season you cover your garden with mulch, here also the classic rake is the option you should choose. To take advantage of a rake to level the coatings you've added, stand and hold the rake with both hands. Rake the area you just filled until it is level with the rest of the soil. Then use the flat edge of the rake to smooth the area.

The rake for picking leaves

If you rake the leaves, you need a leaf rake, so far everything is logical! The leaf rake is also called a lawn rake. Sold in variable widths, it has a long handle with teeth that extend in the shape of a triangle. Teeth are usually made of metal or plastic. Metal is the strongest, but also heaviest and may not be as effective as plastic teeth at moving large amounts of leaves, especially if they are wet. These give more flexibility to a "fan" rake. In addition to catching dead leaves, this lawn rake allows you to collect debris after the passage of the mower or dry grass that can accumulate on the lawn.

Some smaller rakes are called bush rakes. A rake for bushes is built as a rake for leaves. However, it has a smaller tooth fan, allowing it better access to the ground under shrubs, around fences, and in other narrow areas of your garden. Depending on your exterior and your needs, a bush rake can be a good addition to your tool collection.

The rake for small gardening jobs

A hand rake is what you need to maintain a rockery or flowerbed or simply to care for potted plants on a balcony. It is a smaller version of a classic rake or a leaf rake. It has a short handle and is about the same size as a trowel. A manual rake will be perfect for working around your flowers and small plants. Its short handle will give you better control in those tight spaces.

The rake, the little story

The rake is a tool used in agriculture, horticulture, gardening and landscaping. It consists of a long handle attached to a head. The head contains several teeth. Rakes come in a variety of models and sizes and are designed for many different tasks.

Although in the industry, the manual rake is now usually replaced by a mechanical version, it is still a common tool. The history of rakes is intertwined with the stories of gardens, agriculture and landscaping.

It is generally believed that the first rakes, to scrape the ground or move the leaves, would have been human hands and branches of trees and shrubs. As humans developed, so did their tools. Rakes have been found resembling modern rakes, with wooden teeth attached to a head through holes, dating from before Christ.

Garden rakes and leaf rakes are ordinary household items, once considered valuable possessions, but the Industrial Revolution helped make tools cheaper. Before the industrial revolution, all tools were made by hand and usually tailor-made.

Because of the work involved in making tools, rakes and other tools were important possessions for the people who owned them. Garden tools, such as rakes, were important items that saved time. Today, we often think of tools like rakes as common household items that are easy to obtain and replace.