Best Garden Rakes for 2024 | Australian Buying Guide

Main Types of Rakes 

Leaf Rakes

Leaf rakes are the go-to garden item in the autumn seasons as leaves begin to cover lawns. These are generally light weight and have a very broad head for easy leaf collection. Most leaf rakes will be plastic as the movability of the tines helps to gather leaves. 

Lawn Rakes

Lawn rakes are also popular backyard items as they are a little more versatile. These you can use for your conventional leaf raking but are usually used to remove dead grass from lawns.  Lawn rakes will have a far heavier head and will have a solid join between the head and handle. It’s strong but flexible tines can help gather grass, leaves, gravel, sand and soil. 

Garden Rakes

The most common use for garden rakes is to help move or level out soil. These rakes will have far fewer prongs and are usually made of metal or other solid materials. Even though it has shorter, sharper-angled tines, it is still a multi-purpose tool.

Are Metal or Plastic Rakes Better?

When it comes to what material to choose, it again depends on your use. The most common manufactured rakes include: 

• Plastic: Plastic rakes are by far the cheapest options on market and offer mostly light-weight which allows for easy use.
  
  Still, this material is not always the most durable, especially when exposed to a lot of sunlight or very cold temperatures.
  
  
• Wood/Bamboo: Wood or bamboo rakes are usually a reasonably priced and light-weight option. Plus, they’re environmentally friendly.
  
  Wood rakes also have a long lifespan when stored properly. If left in the elements, the wood can warp or deteriorate.
  
  
• Metal: Most heavy-duty garden rakes will be made from a type of metal. Many manufacturers of metal rakes have started using aluminum for the handle as it offers a lightweight alternative

Either way you will want to look for a quality rake that can last. 

The Features of a Good Rake

While certain specifications, like head size and tine material, will differ, there are certain things you’ll want to check before buying. You’ll want to check: 

1. Head Size. You’ll want a bigger rake head size for your leaf and lawn rakes. A good size is generally between 20-24” wide. 
2. Tines. You’ll want to ensure that your tines are sturdy. Thicker tines are far better for garden rakes. The best kind have a slight curvature to the tine which assists in raking. 
3. Handle. You’ll want a solid handle to make sure it doesn’t warp or bend as you work. Some modern rakes even have grips on the handle to prevent strain on the hand.
   
   You should also check that the rake head is solidly attached to the handle. 

1. GARDENA combisystem Spring-Wire Rake

2. SGerste 22 Teeth Heavy Duty Steel Metal Rake

Our choice as the best garden rake comes from a top manufacturer in the industry – the GARDENA combisystem Spring-Wire Rake! This rake is a great choice for general garden use, especially when you’re cleaning or aerating mossy or grassy areas. 

It has a large working width of 50cm to help the job go faster, and the rake system fits onto the handles of all other items in the Gardena combisystem range for convenience.

For peace of mind, it comes with a great 25-year warranty.

How to Use A Garden Rake

If you’re still wondering what a garden rake is used for, or if you’re wanting to know the ways you can make the most out of your rake, here are the most common ways that garden rakes are used: 

• Removing Weeds. By pressing tines over the soil in your garden, you can easily remove shallow rooted weeds. This is a great way to avoid getting on your hands and knees around bushes and shrubs. 
• Turning Soil. With time and weather conditions soil can harden. Its best to loosen the soil and break up clumps to allow for easier plantation and root growth. 
• Spreading Soil Covering. Metal rakes are great to help spread, gather, mount or level soil. A heavy-duty garden rake can also help even out heavier materials like gravel or pebbles. 
• Gathering Debris. Rakes help to gather up dried leaves, twig, off-cuts, debris and dead plants from your lawn or around your garden. It is recommended to rake on a not-so windy day, so you don’t loose your neatly raked heap in sudden gust of wind.

Tips When Using A Garden Rake 

It is  recommended to make use of some gardening gloves when raking to avoid strain or blistering on the hands. Especially for those working in bigger gardens, there can be a lot of pressure on the hands. 

When raking, try to accumulate debris into a set pile. From there you can easily pop leaves and debris into a wheelbarrow or bin. 

You can also keep all your leaves and use them to add to your compost heap. Dead leaves are high in carbon and form a great base for the ‘Brown materials’ in your compost.

It is advised to keep your garden rake in a tool shed or garage, so as not to expose it to the elements. This will minimize damage on your rake and ensure it lasts longer.