There are so many types of rakes available that it can be challenging to figure out which rakes are for what, the differences between them, and, most importantly, which rakes you need.
Regularly raking your lawn in the spring and in the fall can help significantly reduce a number of lawn problems. Mainly, it will help reduce the layer of thatch build-up throughout your grass. Thatch is the excess of debris left over from the winter months and lawn clippings that build up over time. While it is okay to have a thin layer that protects the crown of the grass and the soil, the thicker the thatch layer is, the more it will retain excess moisture, fungus’ and a variety of diseases that can harm your lawn over time.
While the list of different types of rakes out there number in the dozens, in terms of lawn maintenance and care, there are five main rakes you should be considering.
Here are the five main types of rakes you should consider and some tips on how to use them:
Leaf Rake
It’s probably the most traditional type of rake. As the name suggests, this is a rake to pick up and gather fallen leaves. The tines on this rake are long and thin and are spread out to collect as many leaves (and other light material) as possible while not causing the lawn itself any damage.
Bow Rake
A more robust rake, the bow rake, has short, thick tines. This type of rake is for dealing with soil, whether spreading and evening it out or breaking it up and moving it.
Shrub Rake
It looks like a more delicate leaf rake but more slender. It has the same use – gathering leaves and other light debris – but due to its narrower frame, it can be used in tighter spaces, like beneath shrubbery.
Thatch Rake
A heavy-duty rake that’s even more intimidating than the bow rake, this type isn’t meant for leaves or soil; it’s for dealing with thatch, a layer of organic matter that builds up on your lawn. Having blades on either side of its head, the thatch rake uses these to break up the thatch and remove it.
Hand Rake
The hand rake is much like a smaller version of a bow rake and looks closer to a garden tool than a rake. The benefit of using this rake is the maneuverability and control you get out of it. Thus, it should be used for more delicate jobs, like dealing with soil in limited spaces and around flowers.
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