Every homeowner eventually buys a lawn rake, to collect leaves and other garden debris. Usually we don't put much thought into it. We look for a good price and a sturdy construction. Some other considerations you'll apprecaite once you start raking are:
- Tines with some spring, to maneuver around plants
- A narrow head, for tight spots
- A wide head to get done faster
- A handle that bends and takes some stress of the back.
You should also consider getting a metal garden rake, break soil clumps and smooth garden beds.
1. Spring Brace Leaf Rake
This is a basic lawn rake and will serve multiple needs. It is landscaper grade with a heavy-duty 24" head with 24 steel tines and steel spring brace. It's a bit heavier than plastic rakes, but the tines and head won't crack or break under a heavy load. The 54" handle is powder-coated aluminum with a foam handle grip for comfort.
2. Ace Wet n' Dry Leaf Rake
Raking wet leaves is an unenjoyable, but sometimes unavoidable chore. The Wet n'Dry Rake has a clever bracket and tension adjuster that lets you make the tines stiffer for resistant wet leaves or more flexible for obliging dry leaves. The head itself is cup shaped and about 26" across. A cushion grip on the handle makes things a little easier on the hands. About $18.50 - $303. Leaf Lock
Now this is clever. For those of us who don't always feel like moving the piles of leaves after we create them, there's Leaf Lock. This is an all natural, non-toxic corn by-product that forms a shell over the leaf pile and keeps the leaves from blowing all over again.A 32 ounce shaker can covers 150 square feet. It's safe around pets and kids, although they might resent you for denying their natural right to jump into the piles and mess them up. It also won’t damage lawn or leaf vacuum equipment. It's supposed to work great on unruly mulch, too. $12.95
4. Swan Neck Garden Rake
The ergonomically-correct handle and curved 'swan neck' of the head mean you won't be bending and straining. The diamond-shaped, curved and pointed tines dig into the soil with less effort. It's still work cultiving the garden, but you'll have less aches the day after. Hand forged and made to last a lifetime or two. 16" head with 8 teeth spaced 1-3/4" apart. $54.95
