How To Choose Between A Weed And Leaf Rake For Your Yard

Navigating tool names can be tricky. That's why it may seem like weed rakes and leaf rakes are the same tools with varying names at first. This isn't helped by the fact these tools look the same, with wide heads and several prongs. As a result, you may be wondering if a weed or leaf rake is the right choice for you when it comes time to purchase new rakes for your yard. Thankfully, it's easier to decide than you think.

When you think of a weed, you likely think of the crabgrass that pops up when you make the common mowing mistake of cutting your grass too short. Because of this, a weed rake may seem like the perfect tool for tackling annoying plants in your yard. However, despite the name, weed rakes aren't used for the weeds in your yard. In fact, they're not used for your yard at all — weed rakes are for removing vegetation from lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. Leaf rakes are a bit more versatile. When choosing the right one for you, consider what you hope to achieve and where.

If you have a pond or small lake in your backyard, you know vegetation can be quite a problem (it's one reason you may want to reconsider a large water feature on your property). Not only can clusters of algae or unwanted aquatic vegetation alter the aesthetic of your water feature, too much algae can be harmful to your pond's ecosystem. You may want a tool capable of removing excess plants without you needing to take a swim. That's where a weed rake, also called a lake rake, comes in handy.

While the design may change to better accommodate your needs — such as longer handles, features that make it perfect for raking from a boat, and serrated edges for hardier weeds — the overall goal stays the same: Removing algae and vegetation from your water features. In all, this helps restore the visual appeal of your water feature if it's become overrun with unwanted aquatic plants while reducing some of the hassle of cleanup.

If you're deciding whether a weed or leaf rake is best for your yard proper, rest assured: The answer is not a weed rake. Although weed rakes are an invaluable tool on the water, they're not intended for terrestrial use. If you're looking to tackle leaves or grass clippings, look for leaf rakes instead.

For those looking solely to rake their yards, a leaf rake may be best. These are designed for gathering leaves into a single location with typically plastic designs that are better for your grass and more resistant to wear-and-tear conditions such as rusting. Plus, with large fanlike shapes, leaf rakes double as convenient transport for leaves if you plan on turning them into carbon-rich garden fuel (or to simply toss them).

Even among leaf rakes alone, without dipping into other types of rakes such as lawn or leaf scoop, you have a variety of options to choose from. First, consider your yard and personal level of fitness. For example, wider leaf rakes make large areas covered in leaves a breeze, but you may find it takes more effort and elbow grease on your part. On the other hand, smaller rakes may require more time spent in the yard on this chore despite being easier to manage. Overall, leaf rakes are the right choice for your yard if you plan on gathering and removing leaves from terrain, whether that's grass, turf, or sand. Even if you want to complete a different task, such as dethatching your lawn, there are other terrestrial rakes to choose from. Weed rakes are only helpful if your goal is to target a water feature on your property.