Raking the soil in a plant bed with a metal rake is a skill, an art to be mastered. I learned this, years ago, when I was a newbie in the world of professional horticulture. My boss was Alain Grumberg, a French gardener who had worked in the formal gardens of Versailles. He was a true professional and had little patience with my lack of raking ability. He would not let me touch a rake until I had watched him for weeks on end preparing the numerous flower beds in the expansive display garden at Mohonk Mountain House in New Paltz, New York. Like a chef handling a carving knife, he told me, you must learn how to use the tool properly.
In the early spring, we added a layer of aged horse manure and straw from a nearby barn to the existing beds. We turned over the soil using a rototiller. Then Alain raked the soil in each of the beds—first rough grading to take out larger stones and clods, then fine grading to smooth it out and remove smaller pebbles. Finally, he turned the rake over and used it, upside down, to press down on the edges around the perimeter of the plant bed. The rhythm of the strokes he made as he raked exhibited his command of the tool, holding it low to remove large stones, then raising it high to rake out smaller pebbles. It opened my eyes to the art of raking. I said to him, “You are a rake master.”
I use that term now to impress upon others the importance of the rake in preparing plant beds. I suggest you aim to become a rake master. It takes a while. Practice makes perfect. And by the way, raking is a great form of exercise! Studies show that raking in the garden can burn between 200 and 224 calories per hour!
If you’re only going to have one rake, choose a good-quality metal bow rake. It is shaped differently from a leaf rake. It has a curved bow that extends from both sides of the head, which gives the rake some spring action. The sturdiness of the head makes the bow rake the best tool for leveling and removing small stones from the soil. The metal tines are short and thick and can pull and mold the soil well. Get a professional-grade bow rake that will not come apart under pulling pressure.
If you have the wrong rake for your task, raking can be a chore. Do not use a leaf rake to grade the soil. It is designed to pick up lightweight leaves. A metal bow rake, as shown, is a workhorse tool and perfect for pulling heavy or damp soil. Another kind of grading rake is a lightweight aluminum rake. It has a wide head and a long handle. It is suitable for spreading loose soil and fine grading, but it will bend if used for heavier tasks.