Rakes

About Rakes

Rakes are essential gardening and landscaping tools designed for gathering, levelling, and preparing soil and debris across various outdoor tasks. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of rakes suited to both professional groundskeepers and DIY gardeners, from traditional garden rakes with sturdy metal tines to lightweight leaf rakes with flexible fan heads. Whether you're preparing seed beds, collecting autumn leaves, removing moss from lawns, or spreading gravel, having the right rake makes these repetitive tasks significantly easier and more efficient.

The rake selection at MyToolShed.co.uk includes specialised designs for specific applications: adjustable rakes for versatile use, fan rakes and leaf rakes for lightweight debris collection, soil rakes for ground preparation, moss rakes for lawn maintenance, and hand rakes for close work in borders and containers. Each type features distinct head designs, tine configurations, and handle lengths optimised for particular gardening and landscaping scenarios.

Applications

• Professional Landscapers: Ground preparation, site clearance, lawn installation, and gravel spreading
• Gardeners and Horticulturists: Seed bed preparation, soil levelling, composting, and border maintenance
• Groundskeepers and Estate Managers: Leaf collection, lawn care, moss removal, and grounds maintenance
• Agricultural Workers: Paddock maintenance, hay spreading, and yard tidying
• DIY Enthusiasts: Garden clearance, autumn leaf collection, lawn renovation, and general garden upkeep
• Parks and Recreation Teams: Large-scale grounds maintenance and seasonal debris management

Choosing The Right Rakes

Head Type: Garden rakes feature rigid metal tines ideal for soil work, whilst fan rakes and leaf rakes have flexible plastic or bamboo tines perfect for gathering lightweight materials without damaging grass. Moss rakes include spring-steel tines for scarifying lawns.

Head Width: Wider heads (600-800mm) cover more ground quickly on open areas, whilst narrower heads (200-400mm) and hand rakes provide precision in borders and confined spaces. Adjustable rakes offer versatile width options for different tasks.

Handle Length and Material: Standard handles range from 1.2-1.8 metres—choose longer handles for reduced bending and better leverage. Wooden handles offer traditional feel and shock absorption, whilst fibreglass provides lightweight durability and weather resistance.

Tine Configuration: Heavy-duty forged steel tines suit breaking up compacted soil, whilst closely-spaced tines are better for fine soil preparation. Plastic or bamboo tines on leaf rakes prevent lawn damage during collection work.

Build Quality: MyToolShed stocks professional-grade rakes with reinforced connections between head and handle—crucial for withstanding the leverage forces during heavy soil work and regular use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a garden rake and a leaf rake?

Garden rakes feature rigid metal tines in a straight row, designed for soil preparation, levelling, and breaking up clumps. Leaf rakes have flexible fan-shaped heads with plastic or bamboo tines that gather lightweight debris without damaging grass or plants underneath.

How do I maintain my rake for long-term use?

Clean soil and debris from tines after each use, especially before it dries and hardens. Store rakes hanging or with tines facing upward to prevent handle warping and maintain tine shape. Periodically check and tighten the head-to-handle connection, and treat wooden handles with linseed oil annually.

Can adjustable rakes replace multiple specialist rakes?

Adjustable rakes offer excellent versatility for general gardening tasks and are ideal where storage space is limited. However, specialist rakes like moss rakes with spring-steel tines or heavy-duty soil rakes still outperform adjustable models for intensive, specific applications.