The Main Types of Garden Rake
Steel Garden Rake (Soil Rake)
A rigid steel head with 10–14 tines, 40–50 cm wide. Used for levelling soil, breaking up clods after digging, clearing stones and rough debris, and creating a fine tilth before sowing. The back of the head is flat — it's used both directions: tines to break and level, flat back to smooth and firm. Not for use on lawns — the rigid steel tines tear grass.
Lawn Rake / Fan Rake
A wide fan of flexible spring-steel or polypropylene tines, 50–80 cm wide. The flexible tines gather leaf litter and surface debris from grass without snagging or tearing. The fan expands to cover wide areas efficiently. Not effective for soil work — too flexible to break clods or level earth.
Spring-Tine Grass Rake (Scarifying Rake)
Similar to a lawn rake but with stiffer, closer-set tines designed to drag out thatch (dead organic material that builds up at the base of the grass). Used in autumn to remove thatch before overseeding. Hard physical work on a large lawn — a mechanical scarifier is more practical for areas over 200 m².
Shrub Rake (Narrow Rake)
A narrow version (20–30 cm) of the lawn fan rake. Fits between plant stems in densely planted borders to collect leaves and surface debris without damaging plants. The task that's impossible with a full-size rake but trivial with a shrub rake.
Which Rake for Which Job
| Task | Correct Rake |
|---|---|
| Level soil after digging | Steel garden rake |
| Prepare seedbed | Steel garden rake |
| Collect autumn leaves from lawn | Fan lawn rake |
| Remove thatch from lawn | Spring-tine scarifying rake |
| Clean up border between plants | Shrub rake |
FAQ
Should I buy a metal or plastic lawn rake?
Metal spring-tine lawn rakes are more durable and perform better on slightly damp leaves. Plastic fan rakes are lighter (better for large areas), but the tines break on hidden stones or roots. For most users, a metal spring-tine rake is the better long-term investment.