Choosing a Garden Rake
There are many tools you will need to work in your yard and garden, and one of the most indispensable tools is a garden rake. There are types of rakes that help you clean up debris from your yard to keep it looking neat. Other types are used to smooth garden soil to get ready for planting.
What Materials are Garden Rakes Made Of?
There are a number of different considerations you should make when choosing your new garden rake. Historically, steel rakes have been considered the best choice. Steel rakes are made to hold up under pressure and be very functional and durable. However, they are also quite heavy to lift and maneuver. People with medical conditions, such as arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome, will need to choose rakes made of lighter materials so that they will be less stressful to use.
You can buy garden rakes made from a variety of different materials. The sturdiest and most reliable are metal rakes made of steel or aluminum. They work best to quickly break up dirt clods and smooth the soil. If metal is too heavy for you, the plastics can be a good choice provided you select a strong enough plastic that it won’t break during normal use.
You’ll find that garden rakes come with both wide and narrow heads. The wider models work well in covering a lot of territory in a short time, while the narrow ones can get at areas where the wide one won’t fit. It is advisable that you have both sizes available in your tool shed.
For as far back as there have been garden rakes, they have all been made with long, straight handles. You can still purchase models with these handles. However, more and more ergonomic rakes are appearing in store displays. These rakes have curved handles and adjustable heads which allow you to configure the rake in a way that is most comfortable for you to use.
The Ergonomic Pivot Rake was designed to help people do raking chores without placing so much stress on hands, shoulders, and backs. It has a push-pull feature which can be changed back and forth by a twist of a level. You use the push feature to do general raking. Then, just by moving the lever, you’re in pull mode which is used to raking alongside buildings, fences, and other stationary objects. The pivoting rake head adjusts to a position which is most comfortable for you, and the handle compacts or telescopes up to four feet.
As you can see, garden rakes are essential parts of any gardening tool kit. You will use them all-season long to prepare your garden soil, maintain your garden, and keep your lawn and garden looking neat. Because of their importance, you need to choose the ones you buy carefully. Look at the features discussed in this article, and you’ll have tools you can use for many years to come.
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Print Article | Download PDF | 32 views | May 07 2008
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