A very helpful tool for sufferers of bad backs or painful joints
When I heard about this multipurpose rake, it seemed like a godsend, but how was it in action? Here’s my Clear ‘N’ Collect garden tool review...
Clear ‘N’ Collect is no ordinary garden rake. The large capacity hinged scoops effortlessly pull together to trap material. Open the hinged rake over a wheelbarrow or bin to collect leaves or clippings! There’s no need for bending down or shovelling the rubbish. The rake only weighs 1,100g, so it’s not tough on your back. As well as clearing dead leaves easily and without bending, it will also deal with moss, twigs, prunings, brambles and thorns.
Clear ‘N’ Collect garden tool review – Before… a mess of soaking, slippery leaves
Now that the snow and ice have let us back into the garden, it’s apparent that a lot of debris needs to be cleaned up before spring. In my case, the worst area is under the whitebeam tree, which has covered the beds and gravel paths around it with dead (now soggy) leaves. It’s a job I hate. I have a bad back, plus joint and balance problems. There’s nothing quite like using an ordinary rake and short shovel to cause back pain or leave me lying in a flower bed!
After… how did the rake perform?
I can give this tool a full thumbs up! It does take a bit of practice (it did on my narrow, sodden gravel paths), but once I got the knack, it was great. No more bending or shuffling along on my little gardening seat to pick up leaves! The only bits I had to use other implements for were where the path, steps and raised beds meet, which are awkward little corners. That’s to be expected.
I was concerned that it might be too cumbersome or heavy when full of wet leaves for my weak wrists, but that’s something you have control over. Instead of fully loading the Clear ‘N’ Collect, I took dainty mouthfuls!
Probably the greatest endorsement any tool can have is from Mr MandyCanUDigIt. Gary dislikes gardening, especially the filthy/heavy/unseasonal jobs I give him! He loved it, as with his stronger arms, it made short work of the squashed leaves in the compost area. I even heard him remark he couldn’t wait to try it on the beech/hawthorn hedge cuttings in the summer, but he may deny that!
Other tasks Clear ‘N’ Collect can tackle
- Lawns: I don’t have any turf, but Clear ‘N’ Collect will spruce your grass up, too. It will remove leaves and take care of light scarification and moss overgrowth.
- Thorny plants: Hate cutting back and clearing up brambles, pyracantha, holly, mahonia and roses? With Clear ‘N’ Collect, you can keep these aggressive prickles further than arm’s length while you’re gathering them up.
- Allergy-causing plants: It’s the same principle when dealing with plants like nettles and Euphorbia, which can irritate sensitive skin – scoop them up with the double-headed rake.
- Hedges: I’m looking forward to testing the rake on our 9ft beech and hawthorn hedge. The latter makes it a pain to pick up clippings!
- An end to leaf blowers: Clear ‘N’ Collect offers an eco-friendly alternative to noisy leaf blowers, which disturb the peace. Wildlife can also see their homes displaced by these powerful tools.
Clear ‘N’ Collect garden tool review – Green UK success story
Clear ‘N’ Collect was invented by James Coneron, a landscape gardener, in 2019, and it has been designed and manufactured in the UK by his independent family business. Each rake is made from incredibly robust recycled plastics, which include former car dashboards. It can be recycled at the end of its life.
Hope you enjoyed my Clear ‘N’ Collect garden tool review. Each rake costs £25.99. For more gardening advice, stockists (you can buy it directly), visit www.clearncollect.com.
