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Where would we be without the humble rake? Leaves and garden debris would go ungathered and soil would remain lumpy and difficult to sow in — all in all, garden chores would be a lot more difficult. Take a look at the rakes below and you’ll probably see some that look familiar and maybe some that don’t. It turns out, there are many types, and choosing the right rake for the task at hand will make things a lot easier on you. Let’s take a look at a few rakes you can use to make your lawn and borders look beautiful!

What to look for in a shrub rake

A plastic head and lightweight aluminum handle make a shrub rake like this lightweight and easy to haul around with your hand tools. Hand held shrub rake models can also be handy in the garden.

How to use a shrub rake

The 8-inch head on this rake is narrower than others so it gets in between plants without a problem. The long handle reaches into the backs of borders that are hard to reach otherwise. Once you’ve gotten rid of all the debris, use this handy rake to help spread mulch or compost on the beds and around your plants without tearing leaves or breaking stems.

Thatch rake

Thatch, the accumulated debris that builds up at the base of your turf grass, is a problem. It can harbor pests and disease, doesn’t have much nutrition and won’t hold water or protect roots from the cold in winter. So removing this accumulated debris is the job of the thatch rake.

What to look for in a thatch rake
How to use a thatch rake

Thatch ? inch deep or more needs raking. In large areas you may want to use a power dethatcher. But in small spaces put the tip of the razorlike tines just barely into the soil and pull toward you to remove the thatch and push it away to get the debris out of the teeth. Repeat across your lawn.

Plastic leaf rake

You can cover a lot of ground relatively quickly in the fall when you use a wide-headed plastic leaf rake—this one is 30 inches across!

What to look for in a plastic leaf rake

Because of the repetitive nature of leaf raking, comfort is key when you’re choosing one of these tools. There are actually lots of different features and widths available — try several out at the store before you buy.

Check out those with curved handles and assess the weight and balance. The one in these photos has another interesting feature — the tines are joined together so the head won’t get clogged with leaves.

How to use a plastic leaf rake

With a sweeping motion gather any leaves or debris in your lawn. Be sure to take frequent breaks so you can avoid repetitive motion-related injury.

Metal leaf rake

5 Different Types of Chain Saws

A chain saw is a portable, mechanical tool that has the ability to cut through tree trunks, branches, and other woods with its rotating sharp-edged metal teeth. It is typically used for limbing, pruning, cutting firebreaks in wildland fire suppression, harvesting firewood, bucking, and felling. This powerful tool consists of two main parts. One of the parts is the saw blade that is built in the chain and has a long metal guide bar wrapped around it. The other part is the small cylinder for gasoline or petroleum, but sometimes it has a battery pack or cord, depending on what kind of chain saw it is.

The difference between a chain saw and a hand saw is that a hand saw functions when it is being pulled back and forth manually to cut the wood, whereas a chain saw is powered by a metal chain that keeps rotating to cut through the wood. A chainsaw is portable and –most of the times- it can be used anywhere.

Although the first chain saw was created during the 1920s, a lot has changed since there. Purchasing the right kind of chain saw can be a difficult task for individuals, especially those who lack the experience. This is why it is important to be aware of the different types of chain saws before spending on one.