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Fertilizer Spreader Buying Guide
Buying a fertilizer spreader helps you distribute grass seed, fertilizer or other lawncare products. Broadcast and drop spreaders are the two main types. Lowe's can help you find the best lawn fertilizer or manure spreader for your needs.
Types of Fertilizer Spreaders
Spreaders
Broadcast spreaders(also called rotary spreaders) cover a lot of acreage quickly. The material drops from the hopper onto a spinning disc that disperses it over the lawn. Overlap the coverage to avoid missing any spots. The further away from the spreader the material is thrown, the lighter the coverage. What you gain in coverage you may sacrifice in control. That same spinning disc can also scatter the material into a neighbor's yard or into the street. If you want complete control, think about getting a drop spreader.
Drop spreaders can easily cover straight lines with little waste, but they must be used with care. Since the material drops straight down in a width equal to that of the hopper, striping can occur if the entire area isn't covered equally. Striping is the distinctive pattern created when you miss or overlap rows.
Handheld spreaders are also available. These spreaders are crank-operated, operate like a broadcast spreader and are great for use in smaller areas.
Lawn Spreader Tips
- Calibrate the spreader according to the manufacturer's specifications and the recommendations from the fertilizer or seed you're using.
- Don't forget to close the spreader when you stop.
- Clean it with a garden hose after each use to prolong the life of your spreader.
- Fertilizer is caustic and can promote rust. An occasional oiling of metal parts in the wheels and spreader mechanism is a good idea.
- Follow the distribution pattern on the product package.
- Move at a steady pace when spreading.
- Wear protective clothing as recommended by the fertilizer manufacturer.