Tinyroots Root Rake & Spatula
This is a simple, useful repotting tool with two jobs: loosen soil and help settle fresh soil back into place.
The rake end is used to gently remove old soil from around the roots, open up the root ball, and stir compacted soil during repotting. It is especially helpful for light to medium repotting work where you want more control than force.
The spatula end is what makes this tool different from a standard root rake. After the tree is placed back into the pot, the spatula can be used to tamp soil around the base of the bonsai, work soil into corners, and help settle the tree into position.
This tool is especially useful when repotting smaller bonsai, tropicals, deciduous trees, and trees that do not require heavy root work. It is also handy for tidying the soil surface after repotting.
Professionals may carry several root tools, but for many bonsai owners, this is a practical second tool to pair with a rake and tweezer. The rake helps loosen and comb; the spatula helps finish and settle.
Why We Like It
- Two useful ends: Rake for loosening soil, spatula for tamping and settling soil.
- Great during repotting: Helps remove old soil and finish the surface after repotting.
- Good control: Useful for light to medium root work where gentle handling matters.
- Helpful around the pot edge: The spatula can help work soil into small spaces.
- Good companion tool: Pairs well with a root hook or root rake/tweezer combo.
Best Uses
- Loosening soil during repotting
- Gently working soil away from the root ball
- Stirring compacted surface soil
- Tamping fresh soil around the trunk base
- Settling soil into corners and edges of the pot
- Cleaning and finishing the soil surface after repotting
How to Use
- Use the rake end to loosen old soil from the outer root ball.
- Work gently toward the center, taking care around fine roots.
- Place the tree into fresh soil and adjust the planting angle.
- Use the spatula end to tamp soil lightly around the base and pot edges.
- Water thoroughly to help settle the soil further.
The goal is not to smash the soil down hard. Use the spatula to settle and position the soil, not compact it into a brick.
Which Root Tool Should I Buy?
- Choose this Root Rake & Spatula if you want a tool that helps both loosen soil and finish the repotting surface.
- Choose the Root Rake & Tweezers if you want the most versatile everyday root and cleanup tool.
- Choose the 2-Prong Root Rake if you need more strength for tougher root balls.
- Choose the 1-Prong Root Hook if you need to dig into compacted roots or heavy nursery soil.
Product Details
- Brand: Tinyroots
- Product: Root Rake & Spatula
- Use: Soil loosening, root work, soil tamping, and repotting cleanup
- Design: Root rake with spatula/tamping end
- Available Materials: Stainless steel or carbon steel
- Stainless Steel Dimensions: 9 1/2"
- Carbon Steel Dimensions: 9 3/4"
- Best For: Light to medium root work, repotting, tamping soil, and surface finishing
Learning Resources and Bonsai Tree Care Guides:
Bonsai trees are not all the same - and neither is their care. Read our specific care sheets for individual bonsai species. Read the Bonsai Care Guides
Shipping Bonsai Trees:
Bonsai trees are generally shipped on Mondays & Tuesdays to avoid having them stay in the boxes for any extra time over the weekends.
Shipping Non-Tree Items
All non-bonsai items such as bonsai pots and bonsai supplies are shipped within 48 hours of receiving payment. Most orders are shipped either the same day or the next day, depending on the time of day the order is received.
Important Guidelines:
** We cannot ship to a FPO, APO, P.O. Box or to locations in Alaska, Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Hawaii or anywhere internationally.
** All Bonsai are shipped direct from the nursery and may ship separately from other items purchased via the Bonsai Outlet.
** If extreme weather is expected, we may delay shipping your Bonsai tree to guarantee a healthy arrival; in such a case we will contact you. We are shipping living trees and must be conscious of the temperature conditions to the delivery address, as well as, while in transit. That said, we reserve the right to hold the tree(s) to guarantee a healthy delivery. We will Hold Your Tree Until It is Safe to Ship.
