How to Choose Rakes for Different Soils?​ Rakes, a common part of Gardening Cultivating Tools, vary widely in tine design to suit soil types. For clay soil (dense, sticky when wet), opt for rakes with thick, curved steel tines spaced 1–2 inches apart. The curved shape helps pry clods apart without bending, while wide spacing prevents clay from clumping between tines—ideal for...