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How To

How to Select the Perfect Rake

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(5 Ratings)

Rakes are one of the staples of the toolshed, but the well-equipped gardener will have several to choose from. How do you know which rake you need? Here are some guidelines for choosing the right rake for the job.

Difficulty: Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  • Bow Rake
  • Fan Rake
  • Steel Fan Rakes
  1. Step 1

    Select a small, short-handled fan rake to clean under shrubs and in tight areas of the garden. Fan rakes resemble folding fans.

  2. Step 2

    Use a larger fan rakes for fallen leaves. Some types of fan rakes have replaceable tines.

  3. Step 3

    Buy an expanding stainless steel fan rake if you love gadgets. These are not especially useful for anything other than pine needles but are darned pretty!

  4. Step 4

    Select a metal bow rake for moving soil and leveling a new planting bed. Or choose the modern, plastic version of the old-fashioned bow rake, which has a closed set of tines on the back to be use used for picking up and moving mulch or leaves.

Tips & Warnings
  • Look for lightweight tools with aluminum handles and plastic heads. Maintenance for these types of tools is easy - just wash them off before you put them away.
  • Wooden handles need some type of oil treatment, and metal rake heads need a spray of lubricating oil several times a year.
  • Using a small, metal Shrub Rake you can clear leaves from those hard-to-reach places around flowers, shrubs and trees.
  • If you have to step away from your raking for a moment, always lay rakes with the tines facing down.
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