Lawn fertilizer spreaders are a great way to ensure that the grass in your yard gets all the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and green. But there are many different types of lawn fertilizer spreaders, so how do you know which is best?
This article will take you through some of the most popular types of lawn fertilizer spreaders and explain what sets them apart. You’ll also learn about important factors you should consider before purchasing.
What is a Fertilizer Spreader?
A fertilizer spreader is a piece of equipment designed to evenly distribute fertilizer on a lawn or other area of ground. It can spread both granular and liquid fertilizers, and it’s an essential tool for any homeowner or professional landscaper who wants to ensure the health and beauty of their lawns.
Spreaders are typically sold in two main types: those that use a spinning basket to throw the fertilizer onto the ground and those that use a rotating plate to distribute it. Both types are effective at applying fertilizer evenly, but each has its own pros and cons. The spinning basket type is generally less expensive than the rotating plate type. Still, it can be harder to adjust the spinning basket model settings. The rotating plate type is more expensive than its counterpart. Still, it offers greater flexibility when it comes to customizing spread patterns.
Types of Lawn Fertilizer Spreaders
There are many different types of lawn fertilizer spreaders to choose from, and each type has its unique purpose and advantages. So how do you know which one is right for you?
Well, we’re here to help! Here are just a few of the most popular types:
Broadcast Spreader
The best choice for your lawn depends on its size, the amount of time you have to spread fertilizer, and the type of fertilizer you want. A broadcast spreader is a good choice for most homeowners.
A broadcast spreader works by spreading fertilizer in a wide pattern across your lawn. It will cover an area about 75 feet wide and 25 feet deep. This is one of the most common types of spreaders because it’s easy to use for people who don’t want to spend time figuring out how much fertilizer they should apply to their lawns.
Broadcast spreaders are also useful when applying granular fertilizer because they can be adjusted, so they don’t throw too much on any spot. This helps prevent over-fertilizing areas that have already received enough nutrients or under-fertilizing areas that need more nutrients than normal.
The downside is that broadcast spreaders are not as accurate as other spreaders; if you’re trying to apply a specific amount per square foot, this may not be your best choice.
Drop Spreader
There’s no shortage of fertilizer spreaders on the market, but when it comes to making the right choice for your lawn, you want one that will help your grass grow like crazy. A drop spreader is a great option for small-scale applications.
Drop spreaders are commonly used for commercial applications; they’re perfect for spreading fertilizer or lime over large areas quickly and efficiently. They come in many different sizes and styles. Still, they all have one thing in common: they distribute fertilizer in smaller amounts over a larger area.
Drop spreaders work by allowing you to control how much fertilizer you’re distributing at any given time. You can set the amount of fertilizer you want to move with each machine pass by simply adjusting a lever on the side of it.
Drop spreaders are available in several different sizes and styles depending on what kind of job you need them for. Some drop spreaders are designed specifically for small-scale jobs like gardens and flowerbeds; others are made for bigger jobs like lawns or farms.
Handheld Spreader
Lawn fertilizer spreaders are a great way to get your lawn looking its best and come in many different shapes and sizes. Handheld spreaders are one type of fertilizer spreader that you can use to evenly distribute fertilizer over your lawn.
Handheld spreaders are small, lightweight machines that help you apply fertilizer to your lawn without carrying it around in buckets or bags. They usually have wheels for easy movement across the yard and a handle for easy carrying. Some models even have built-in stands, so you can set them up on a table or other elevated surface for easy filling and use.
The main thing that makes handhelds different from other spreaders is their size: they’re small enough to be held by a hand but large enough to have enough fertilizer for large areas of your yard (up to 10 square feet). They’re also very lightweight—some models weigh just 6 pounds! This makes them easy for anyone, even children, who want to help around the house.
What is the Difference Between a Drop Spreader and Broadcast Spreader?
By this time, you might wonder if broadcast and drop spreaders are the same. While they might have similarities in their use, their parts are different.
A drop spreader helps you apply fertilizer, seeds, and sand to your lawn as you walk or tow it. This handheld device is the right choice if you want to be precise in your spread because you can control which area of the yard you cover.
A broadcast spreader, on the other hand, spreads the material differently. These spreaders tend to be bigger and scatter the material over a wider area. If you want to cover a large area quickly with minimal waste, you should opt for a broadcast spreader. The downside of this type of spreader is that it tends to waste more product than a drop spreader does.
Choosing which one to use depends on how accurate you need to be and how much time you’re willing to spend.
Things to Consider When Choosing the Right Lawn Fertilizer Spreader
Lawn fertilizer spreaders are a great way to keep your grass looking green and healthy. But there are so many spreaders that it can be hard to find the right one.
Here are some things you should keep in mind when choosing a lawn fertilizer spreader:
Size of Your Lawn
One of the first considerations when choosing a lawn fertilizer spreader is the size of your lawn. Most lawn fertilizers will recommend how much product you need to use per thousand square feet, so if you don’t know how big your yard is, this is an easy way to find out.
If you have a small yard, say 1000 square feet or less, you’ll likely be able to get away with using a handheld spreader. These are smaller and easier to manage than larger models; however, they can be challenging for people with limited strength or mobility issues.
Consider getting a walk-behind spreader if your lawn is larger than 1000 square feet but smaller than 5000 square feet. These offer greater accuracy and control over where fertilizer goes in your yard (compared to handheld models). However, they’re still relatively lightweight and easy to maneuver around the yard.
If your lawn is between 5000 and 10000 square feet, consider getting a riding model instead of a handheld or walk-behind model. Riding models are much more powerful than other options available today—they’re also more expensive!
Your Budget
If you’re looking for a new way to fertilize your lawn, the first thing you should think about is your budget. Lawn Fertilizer Spreaders can range in price from $100 to $2,000+, depending on what features are important to you.
If you’re on a tight budget, many options are still high quality but won’t break the bank. If money isn’t an issue, consider looking into more expensive models with more features and higher build quality.
You’ll need to decide how much maintenance your new spreader will require and whether or not that cost will be worth it over time; this will help you narrow down options when choosing between models.
Durability
There are many factors to consider when looking for a lawn fertilizer spreader. One that’s often overlooked is durability.
A lawn fertilizer spreader should be durable enough to last through many seasons of use. Still, it’s also important that the product doesn’t weigh too much. If your lawn spreader is too heavy, you might be unable to move it around easily. And if it’s too light, the unit might not be able to hold up against the force of pushing down on it while filling bags with pellets or granules of fertilizer.
Build Quality
It’s best if you also considered how well-built each component of the lawn spreader is: whether the handles are made of sturdy material, whether there’s good tension on the springs that make sure nothing jams when turning over and dumping out fertilizer from bags into bins below where you’re walking around on your lawn.
Benefits of Using Lawn Fertilizer Spreader
Lawn fertilizer spreaders are a great way to save money and ensure your lawn gets the nutrients it needs. Here are some of the benefits of using a lawn fertilizer spreader:
- Lawns fertilized with a spreader have better soil structure, which means they’re less likely to be damaged by foot traffic or erosion.
- The fertilizer is evenly distributed, so it doesn’t clump in one spot or another. This allows for better absorption into the soil.
- You can use less fertilizer than you would if you were applying it by hand, saving money on both the purchase price and waste product disposal fees.
- Can help protect your lawn from weeds and pests by putting down weed killer and insecticide as you spread fertilizer
Conclusion
Lawn fertilizer spreaders are a great way to get the job done. They can be used for everything from spreading grass seed in the spring to spreading fertilizer after that, and they can make it so much easier to do both!
The best part is, if you’re not sure which one you want, there’s a variety to choose from. You can get ones that work with an electric motor or ones that work manually by hand. No matter what kind of lawn you have or how much time you want to spend on your lawn care duties, there’s a lawn spreader out there for you—and we hope this article has helped you find it!