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Read More August 12, 2021 | Blain's Farm & FleetThe Ultimate Lawn Spreader Buying Guide
You want your lawn to look the best it can. Choosing the right lawn spreader is a good way to start.
When it comes to maintaining a lush and healthy lawn, having the right tools at your disposal can make all the difference. One of these essential tools is a lawn spreader, which you can use to spread a variety of lawn-care products, such as fertilizer, grass seed, and even ice melt.
Learn about the different types of spreaders available, including handheld spreaders, broadcast spreaders, and drop spreaders. And discover the advantages and best use cases for each.
If you’re in the market for a lawn spreader but aren’t sure where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Choose the perfect spreader for your lawn with Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Handheld Spreaders
This type of lawn spreader is great for use in small lawns or tight spaces. You can quickly distribute whatever you add to the hopper broadcast style by using a hand crank.
Handheld spreaders give you the mobility you need to apply ice melt in the winter. If accuracy is important, these units also give you the ability to treat a small patch of your lawn with seed or fertilizer.
Handheld Spreaders
Scotts Wizz Hand Held Spreader
Price: $24.99
Precision Handheld Spreader
Price: $12.99
Broadcast Spreaders
Broadcast spreaders are by far the most popular type of lawn spreaders available. A rotating disc distributes its contents in an arc-shaped manner. If accuracy is your priority, a broadcast spreader might not be what you need, as speed is the main purpose of these units.
Push Broadcast Spreaders
Push broadcast spreaders are walk-behind devices, similar to lawn mowers. By pushing the spreader, the wheels turn a mixer inside the hopper. And the broadcast device spreads the material over a wide area. They are great for a standard-sized lawn.
Push Broadcast Spreaders
Agri-Fab 110 lb. Push Spreader
Price: $209.99
Agri-Fab 130 lb Push Broadcast Spreader
Price: $285.99
Agri-Fab 85-lb Push Spreader Pro
Price: $194.99
Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Broadcast Spreader
Price: $119.99
Agri-Fab 85-lb Push Spreader Deluxe
Price: $175.99
Scotts Elite Spreader
Price: $169.99
Agri-Fab 50 lb Push Broadcast Spreader
Price: $79.99
Agri-Fab 85 lb Push Ice Melt Spreader
Price: $185.99
Tow Broadcast Spreaders
These spreaders are attachments that you can pull behind a lawn mower or ATV. If you have a medium to very large lawn that you need to seed or fertilize, this type is your best bet.
Tow Broadcast Spreaders
Agri-Fab 130 lb Tow Spreader
Price: $249.99
Agri-Fab 85 lb Tow Broadcast Spreader
Price: $119.99
Craftsman 110 lb Tow Broadcast Spreader
Price: $199.99
Agri-Fab 110# Tow Broadcast Spreader
Price: $214.99
Agri-Fab 130 lb Push Spreader
Price: $249.99
Agri-Fab UTV / ATV Tow Broadcast Spreader
Price: $329.99
Craftsman 85 lb Tow Spreader
Price: $134.99
Drop Spreaders
Drop spreaders apply the material in a line straight down from the hopper. The materials are not spread, but distributed in an even line. This makes drop spreaders the best option for accurate distribution.
The tricky part can be making sure you overlap your rows, avoiding striping when fertilizing your lawn. Striping results in different-colored rows along your fertilizer pattern.
Drop Spreader
Agri-Fab 42″ 175-lb Poly Tow Drop Spreader
Price: $369.99
Other Factors to Consider
Wheel Type
You may want to invest in lawn spreaders that have pneumatic wheels. Standard plastic wheels tend to slide along the grass. This can lead to slipping or uneven distribution of grass seed or fertilizer. Use gripping pneumatic wheels if you use your spreader for ice melting in the winter.
Staying Safe
- Always be sure to calibrate the lawn spreader settings according to the product manual. You want to be sure you’re spreading the product on your lawn at the recommended rate.
- Read the directions on the material you are spreading. Some fertilizers can be harmful to touch or breathe in.
- Wear clothing that will keep harmful materials from reaching your skin.
- Follow the pattern recommended on the product for distribution. Most fertilizers start with the perimeter of your lawn, and then zigzag to cover the rest. The most important factor is pace consistency. This helps to avoid overspreading by walking too slowly or under coverage if you speed up.
- Close the spreader door when you’re done.
- Rinse the spreader completely when you’re finished, especially after spreading fertilizer to avoid rusting.
Products for Your Spreader
You can find more tips on how to make your lawn the envy of the block by reading some of our other Outdoor Equipment & Tools articles.
