Sometimes you come across a tool that solves so many problems you wonder how you went so long without hearing about it. The Clarington Forge rubber rake is one of those tools.
I’ll forgive you for asking, because if you remember our review of the rubber rake from last year, Amy Stewart had the exact same reaction on first glance.
As a homeowner with gravel paths, patios or driveways, keeping leaves and debris cleared off these surfaces can be a tedious chore However, having the right rake makes quick work of cleaning gravel areas and keeping them looking pristine
Through trial and error with various rake types and brands, I’ve discovered the key features to look for when selecting the best rake for removing leaves from gravel. Based on my experience here are my top recommendations for fast, effective debris removal from gravel expanses.
Key Considerations for Gravel Rakes
Tine Material
Look for rakes with sturdy steel or rigid plastic tines. Flexible wire tines can struggle to sweep debris out from between gravel crevices. Durable steel tines provide the rigidity needed to extract leaves and debris without flexing.
Tine Spacing
Wider spaced tines with a slight flex can wedge between gravel to lift out leaves and detritus. Narrow, rigid tines tend just push debris around rather than lifting it up. Look for some spacing between tines to allow gravel penetration.
Head Width
A wider rake head will allow you to cover more ground area on each pass. But very wide heads can be unwieldy. I find 18”-24” rake heads provide the best balance of coverage versus control.
Handle Length
Long handles around 60” reduce back strain from continual bending. Shorter handles provide more control and maneuverability. Choose based on your height and gravel area size.
Weight
Heavier steel rakes excel at removing heavier debris and for larger areas. Lightweight options are ideal for quick touch-ups. Consider your strength and project scope when deciding on rake weight.
My Top Pick: Groundskeeper II Rake
My personal favorite for gravel raking is the Groundskeeper II Rake. Key features include:
- 24-inch wide head with 18 steel tines
- Lightweight aluminum handle (just 2.2 lbs)
- Cushioned grip for comfort
I’ve found the Groundskeeper II to be the ideal rake for most gravel cleaning tasks. The steel tines stand up to heavy debris while the head width allows quick work of larger areas.
The angled tines are rigid enough to remove leaves, yet flexible enough to glide over the gravel without disturbing stones. And the aluminum handle reduces fatigue without adding much weight.
For easy, effective sweeping up of leaves and debris from gravel, the Groundskeeper II is my top recommendation.
Runner Up: Rocky Mountain Twisted Aluminum Rake
A great second option is the Rocky Mountain Twisted Aluminum Rake. Key features:
- 22-inch wide head
- Lightweight twisted aluminum tines
- 58-inch long handle
With its extra-long handle and twisted tines, this Rocky Mountain rake allows you to stand fully upright while raking – no back strain!
The durable yet lightweight aluminum tines provide a gentle raking action that’s perfect for gravel areas. And the tines flex just enough to cradle leaves without damaging gravel beds or stone walkways.
For large gravel zones, the 58-inch handle is a real asset, enabling you to rake comfortably without excessive bending and fatigue.
Honorable Mention: Ames True Temper Poly Leaf Rake
Also worth considering is the Ames True Temper Kodiak Poly Leaf Rake. Notable features:
- 22-inch wide head
- Plastic tines reinforced with steel
- Cushioned grip
With its plastic tines reinforced with steel, this rake offers great durability and debris removal power.
The semi-flexible tines have just the right amount of give to lift leaves without jostling gravel. And the comfy cushioned grip helps reduce hand strain.
For all-day raking comfort, the Kodiak Poly Leaf rake is an excellent choice. The plastic/steel tine combo makes it super lightweight yet surprisingly resilient.
Tips for Effectively Raking Gravel Areas
Here are some handy tips I’ve discovered for fast, easy debris removal from gravel zones:
- Rake slowly using an angled sweeping motion to dislodge debris. Avoid vigorous raking that can displace gravel.
- Apply gentle downward pressure as you rake to lift leaves while keeping gravel undisturbed.
- Rake the perimeter first, then work systematically in strips across the gravel.
- For heavy debris, go over an area 3-4 times from different angles to ensure full debris removal.
- Dislodge stuck leaves with a gentle kick or brush sweep, then rake up.
- Use a flicking wrist motion while raking to sweep leaves into a pile for easy collection.
- Work quickly after leaf drop before wind/rain redistributes debris back into gravel.
Give Your Gravel Area the Care it Deserves
Keeping gravel free of fallen leaves and debris takes the right rake and technique. With my recommendations and tips, you can maintain your gravel looking freshly raked and cared for.
The Groundskeeper II is my top pick for its durability, gentle raking action, and time-saving wide head. But the Rocky Mountain and Ames True Temper models are great alternatives.
Invest in a quality gravel rake, and you’ll find that keeping gravel debris-free and beautiful is a much easier task. Your back and gravel will thank you!
I’ll explain the advantages for the uninitiated:
Neighborly relations. Have you ever had a neighbor who wakes up the entire-freaking-neighborhood at 6AM on Sunday morning because they cannot wait to get out the rake and be industrious about the leaves coating their sidewalk? SCREEE! SCREEEE! I mean, all that activity comes from a nice place in their heart, but if anyone in the neighborhood has a hangover, or worse, a baby that has just gotten to sleep, that poor hardworking soul is in mortal danger of being impaled upon the very tool they are using to bring order to their world. If you are that person, I beg you, get yourself a rubber rake and you can enjoy raking at whisper-soft volume any time of day or night.
Decks and patios. What do you do if you have a beautifully-stained deck, or a flagstone patio with a clear coating on it to keep the color looking bright? Even plastic leaf rakes will scratch the stain off a deck when used with vigor. A rubber rake, by contrast, rakes just what it’s supposed to and leaves your hardscape alone.
Ornamental grasses. You know all those icky dead leaves that start to clog blue oat grass and others, and keep them from looking their best? You could spend for-freaking-ever running your hands through each individual grass to pull out all the dead blades, but some of us have Project Runway episodes to watch. I’d rather run the rubber rake over the grasses and get back to stalking Christian Siriano on Twitter that much faster.
Groundcovers. Whether they’re herbaceous or woody, groundcovers can be a challenge to rake. Every time I run a traditional rake over them, the tines catch on the stems and I end up ripping or displacing my plants. Yet if you’ve ever picked clumps of leaves off your groundcovers by hand, you know what an arduous task that is. Necessary so your groundcovers don’t smother, yes, but if I’m going to spend time outdoors in that fall chill, I’d rather be planting bulbs or harvesting apples or something. The rubber rake once again shines at removing the leaves quickly without hurting your plants.
Raking on mulch. The rubber rake is also good for more pedestrian raking tasks. Ever tried to rake trimmings or leaves off an area that’s got wood mulch on top? It’s kind of challenging to rake up all the detritus without raking up all your lovely mulch as well. The rubber rake’s a lot easier to control than the usual stiff leaf rakes, and makes cleanup a snap. It’s also extra-grippy on things like pine needles which like to stick to pavement.
No more whomping yourself on the ears. Have you ever pulled a smooth move in the garden by stepping on your rake when it’s sitting face-up and having it whack you in the head?
Every new employee likes to try this maneuver a few times in their first weeks, and it’s embarrassing for all involved. I mean, it really hurts. But it’s also really funny, and it’s very hard not to laugh when it happens, which creates poor relations between crew members. Save yourself the worry and stock your toolbox with a rubber rake. I personally tested this by jumping up and down on my rubber rake and was unable to make it hit me in the face. Score!
What Is The Best Yard Rake For Your Clean Up Needs? | Weekend Handy Woman
FAQ
What is the best rake to remove leaves from gravel?
Equipment to collect leaves from gravel
The best way is to use a spring tine fan rake, because the problem with leaf blowers and garden vacuums is that, the more powerful ones will blow or suck the gravel up, not only ruining your gardens look, but ruining your leaf blower / vacuum too.
What is the easiest way to remove leaves from gravel?
You could remove the surface leaves with a leaf blower, then use a steel rake to remove the ones that are stuck in the gravel afterwards. Or just rake them out. Obviously you’ll need to tidy up the gravel a bit afterwards if you’ve shifted it too much.
What kind of rake is best for gravel?
Bow rakes are also ideal for raking and spreading loose material like mulch, stone, gravel, asphalt, and dirt. The head of a bow rake has a row of curved, indented teeth that can latch onto chunks of materials with ease, while the other side is flat for leveling the surface.
What is the best type of rake for raking leaves?
For raking up leaves go for a leaf rake. These have a metal, rubber or plastic fan-shaped head with wide flexible tines that curve down at the ends to grab debris. The wide tines mean they collect leaves without stabbing them and causing blockages.