Sustaining a healthy and attractive lawn requires regular maintenance and applying fertilizer on the lawn is one of the commonly done practices. If you have a large lawn, spreading the fertilizer by hand can be a daunting task. That’s why you need a gardening tool called fertilizer spreader to make your work easier and enjoyable. Fertilizer spreaders have gained a lot of popularity and they a very effective.
What is a Fertilizer Spreader?
A fertilizer spreader is a gardening tool that is used to spread lawn products such as fertilizer and grass seeds on lawn uniformly. They are effective and get the job done faster compared to manual spread. There are different types of fertilizer spreaders on the market today each with different functionality and design to suit their intended use.
If you are wondering which type of fertilizer spreader is ideal for you, ask yourself the following questions;
- What is your lawn size/shape?
- What is the intensity of wind in your locality?
- Do you have more or less time to spend on your lawn?
Answering the above questions will help you select the ideal fertilizer spreader that meets your lawn requirements.
Types of Fertilizer Lawn Spreaders
There are different types of fertilizer lawn spreaders. They can be categorized as either broadcast spreaders or drop spreaders.
Let’s look at them in details. They can be summarized as;
- Broadcast fertilizer spreaders
- Drop fertilizer spreaders
- Tow-behind fertilizer lawn spreaders
- Handheld fertilizer spreaders
- Walk behind fertilizer lawn spreaders
Best Lawn Fertilizer Spreaders Comparison Table
| Product Name | Capacity | Fit for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard Deluxe Broadcast Spreader | 15,000 sq. ft. | Medium Lawns | View on Amazon |
| Agri-Fab 45-0288 175-Pound Max Tow Behind Drop Spreader, Black | 40,000 sq. ft. | Large | View on Amazon |
| Scotts Elite Broadcast Spreader with EdgeGuard | 20,000 Sq. ft. | Medium lawns | View on Amazon |
| Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader | 2,500 sq. ft. | Small Lawns | View on Amazon |
| Titan 50 lb Professional Broadcast Spreader for Lawn Fertilizer Seed | 50 Pounds | Medium-Large | View on Amazon |
| Agri-Fab 45-0463 130-Pound Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader | 130 Pounds (25,000 sq. ft.) | Medium-Large | View on Amazon |
| Scotts Handy Green II Hand-Held Broadcast Spreader | 1,000 sq. ft. | Small Lawns | View on Amazon |
| Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader | 10,000 sq. ft. | Medium | View on Amazon |
| Lesco Drop Spreader | 120 lbs | Medium-Large | View on Amazon |
Broadcast Spreaders
Broadcast spreaders are mostly used to spread fertilizer on large lawns. Broadcast fertilizer spreader has a large hopper where fertilizer is put and uses a horizontal spinning disk to scatter the fertilizer on your lawn.
You can adjust the settings of your spreader holes to control the amount of fertilizer to be released and the distance of the spread.
Broadcast lawn spreaders are fast compared to the drop spreaders and they get the job done within a short period of time.
Broadcast fertilizer spreaders are also known as rotary spreaders and they are either; tow-behind, handheld or walk-behind.
Drop Spreaders
Drop spreaders are used when you want more accurate and uniformed spreading. They have medium hopper where you place your lawn products and they use gravity to drop the fertilizer to your desired areas.
Due to their high level of accuracy, you can comfortably use them in any area of your lawn without worrying about spreading the lawn products to other undesired areas.
When using drop lawn spreaders, ensure that you have overlapped the wheels so as to avoid strips on your lawn that are not spread.
Drop spreaders are slow and they are ideal for use in small lawns.
- Large capacity hopper holds up to 10,000 sq. ft. of Scotts lawn product, including grass seed and fertilizer
- Heavy-duty frame for optimum stability
- 22-inch spread pattern delivers maximum coverage and accuracy
- Fully assembled
- Ready to use and pre-calibrated
Last update on 2025-03-07 at 18:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Tow-Behind Spreaders
Tow-behind spreaders are designed with a hitch that can be attached to a tractor or ATVs. Check out some of the best lawn spreaders for ATV here.
They are heavy-duty and they are used to spread lawn products on larger lawns. They are bigger compared to other models of broadcast spreaders.
They also have a large hopper and they can spread at a longer distance compared to others.
Tow-behind spreaders are faster and don’t require frequent fertilizer refills.
Hand-Held Fertilizer Lawn Spreaders
Hand-held fertilizer spreaders are the easiest broadcast spreaders to use even for beginners.
They have a small hopper where you put your fertilizer, adjust the settings and rotate the crank to start spreading the fertilizer.
Hand-held spreaders are lightweight therefore, you don’t get tired when carrying them around.
On the other hand, they have smaller hopper compared to other versions of broadcast spreaders something that demands regular refill.
They also consume a lot of time and they are good for use in small lawns.
Walk-Behind Lawn Spreaders
Walk-behind broadcast spreaders are bigger than hand-held spreaders and they are pushed forward by the operator so as to spread the fertilizer to the designated areas.
They have large capacity area and you can use them for medium-large lawns.
They can be used even in tough-terrains and you can adjust the settings to control the amount of fertilizer that is released.
Walk-behind spreaders are easy to use and refill.
- Patented EVEN-SPREAD 3-Hole Drop Shut-Off System provides a feathered spreading edge for accurate fertilizer or seeding applications. Distributing 50% of your material to each side of your spreader.
- This medium-duty spreader can hold up to 40 pounds (18 kg) of material in its rust-proof polypropylene hopper. The spreader has professional features but can operate in tight corners and be easily stored in your shed or garage.
- This seeder/spreader is built with a strong powder coated steel frame and sturdy T-handle. Designed with reliable solid linkage which ensures a positive shut off, excellent rate control, and long-term durability.
- High flotation 9 inch pneumatic tires will glide right across your turf. In the winter, these tires will grip rough terrain or wintry conditions instead of getting packed with snow and ice.
- EarthWay’s 2600A-Plus is designed and manufactured locally in Bristol, Indiana USA. Competitors import overseas components or complete spreaders. Help our local economy by investing in a spreader made locally by your fellow Americans.
Last update on 2025-03-07 at 18:55 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
We believe that after assessing the above features of different types of fertilizer lawn spreaders, you will have an easy time selecting the perfect spreader for your lawn. When using a fertilizer lawn spreader, ensure that you turned it off before adding the lawn products.
In addition, use a hard surface when adding the lawn products to make it easier to collect any spillage.