His & her rakes

From left:

Yardworks bowhead

I really enjoyed testing this rake; it’s beautifully lightweight and sports 14 sturdy tines, which are double-soldered onto a 1.5-metre shaft. Ideal for spring preparation of seedbeds, levelling and smoothing the surfaces of new beds and for general garden cleanup. $17

Gardena bowhead

The interchangeable handle on this rake is both sturdy and comfortable, as well as ample in its proportions—acquiring a comfortable rake is very much like selecting the right hockey stick! It’s a lightweight, well-constructed tool; the 14 tines are covered with rust-resistant paint. $18

Garant flathead

This rake is the model most similar to the one I’ve used in my own garden for the past 20 years and demonstrates (to me at least) how hard it is to improve upon a good, classic design. Sturdy construction makes breaking up soil clods a breeze and, when used in a “tines-up” position, it smoothed soil surfaces very well. If you treat this 14-tined, long-handled rake with care, it should last you a lifetime. $25

Eagle welded bowhead

Most garden rakes are fairly similar in design, the main difference being that bowhead rakes are often lighter and easier to manipulate than the more heavy-duty flathead types. The Eagle has a 1.5-metre shaft, which is standard but a shade short for me (I’m five feet 11 inches tall, almost two metres). You should always avoid bending your back while raking. $10

Lee Valley flathead

Without a doubt, this is the most elegant garden rake you’ll ever own. Lightweight and rustproof, the 12 extra-thick, stainless-steel tines crown a handsome, 1.5-metre hardwood shaft. My only quibble is that the gooseneck link between the shaft and the head will make smoothing soil surfaces (with the rake in a “tines-up” position) more difficult. $37