What Kind of Rake to Use for Grass Seed?

Preparing the Soil

• When seeding bare spots in lawns, grass seed works best when deposited on worked-up soil. When seeding unbroken soil, the seed sits on top of the ground, not able to work its way into the dirt. Turn the soil by hoeing it, then rake with a garden rake. The strong tines in the garden rake break clumps of soil, leaving crevices in the dirt. Grass seed falls into the crevices, allowing it to build strong roots inside the earth.

Leaf Rake

• After spreading the grass seed generously over the worked-up dirt, use the back of a leaf rake to help deposit the seed deeper in the dirt. By using the back of the leaf rake, you provide light pressure to work the seeds into the ground without agitating the dirt. The leaf rake smooths the ground cover, allowing the lawn to look uniform.

Difference

• Using the correct rake for seeding grass may mean the difference between lush green growth and patches of new grass growing here and there. Plastic leaf rakes work best when leveling dirt or spreading grass seed, but they do not have the stamina to work the ground. Garden rakes provide the strength to dig into ground cover, loosening clods of dirt so seeds can develop without the difficulty of working through the soil.

Choosing a Rake

• When choosing a garden rake, hold the rake to check the weight. A heavy rake may pull on your back and result in painful spasms after you use it. Check for rust-resistant rakes and make sure the rake has short, thick tines to break and distribute dirt clods. A plastic leaf rake may easily break its tines, so make sure the plastic is thick and not thin. Look for a wide head that can work a larger area of ground.