Maintaining gravel pathways is already a bit of work, but dealing with them on a slope can be an even bigger task. It can be hard to keep your slope pathways safe and secure when you’ve got a gravel mess all over. Oftentimes, a standard leaf rake just can’t handle the workload, so the best option is to get a stone rake. A type of landscape rake, these tools are made specifically for moving rocks and gravel. Unlike a flimsy garden rake that will catch on stones or push gravel unevenly, stone rakes have more weight to them and wider spaces between tines to clean up debris and level the gravel more effectively, even when working on a slope.

What makes stone rakes effective for gravel is their ability to distribute the gravel without creating bare spots. The steel used for the head provides enough weight to pull materials back when needed, especially when working uphill. The gaps between tines allow smaller stones to sift through, leaving the larger ones on top. Many stone rakes offer adjustable head angles, which is helpful when working on an incline.

Before diving into raking, check around your gravel pathways for any stray weeds. There are some good tricks to prevent weeds from growing in your gravel, and if you don’t take care of them it will make your raking job much more difficult than it needs to be. Start by raking perpendicular to the slope from top to bottom, using short pulling motions to help move the gravel. Your goal is to spread the rock evenly while grabbing any leaves or debris that may be mixed into your gravel. Occasionally, flip the rake to its smoother side to help level out the rocks. If needed, you can add some new gravel into spots that are a little bare.

Giving the gravel a light misting will also help the stones stay in place when being raked, but don’t add too much water. Dry rocks can easily slide on an incline, but soaked ones can become too heavy to move effectively. It’s also important to rake your gravel regularly, small monthly touch-ups are much easier and more manageable than dealing with a full fix every six months.