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Fertilizer spreaders can help turn your not so good looking lawn to the lush green grass of your dreams. These useful gadgets are a dime in a dozen in the market and if you are out for one, picking the right one can be a bit intimidating if you are a newbie in the spreader filed.
There are generally two types of spreaders;
- Broadcast spreaders
These are also known as rotary spreaders and work effectively on large lawns. While they can cover lots of space at a go the disc inside them has no uniform way of spreading your fertilizer. - Drop spreaders
These are a favorite choice for many gardeners because they tend to spread the fertilizer more evenly because they drop it through a hopper. They also will spread around shrubs and trees perfectly and get a better edging around your flower beds and patios. They resemble buckets on wheels.
Each has its own advantage, and their designs differ but they primarily so the same job but at different speeds and efficiency levels. The drop spreaders are perfect for minimal lawns, but for vast swathes of land, you will need broadcast spreaders. Fertilizers spreaders have dual use in your home because they can be used as seed spreaders and ice melters depending on the season you are in. So buying one that can serve all three purposes is vital. Before making a purchase, it is essential to read the manufactures specifications and find out if your spreader can serve all three purposes to save on money.
Factors to keep in mind when buying a fertilizer spreader for your lawn
- How large or small is your yard?
If your lawn is not expansive, a budget-friendly option would be a handheld crank operated fertilizer spreader. These are slow and since most are broadcast spreaders, might now work well for precise spreading. - Do parts of your lawn require precise fertilization?
Large lawns will do well with a walk behind spreader. They save time, effort and money and spread the fertilizer evenly and where necessary precisely.
Styles of lawn fertilizers
- Push spreaders
They are commonly known as walk behind spreaders and often have two or four wheels for mobility. They spread the fertilizer through a mechanism that activates as the wheels turn. - Handheld spreaders
These dispense the fertilizer via a hand crank, and you have to walk around your lawn as evenly as you can to get a proper distribution. They can be mighty tiring to your arms though. - Tow behind spreaders
They have wheels and are usually pulled by a lawn tractor. They drop the fertilizer once their levers are engaged.
Reviewing the best fertilizer spreader for lawns
Comparison Table
| Name | Capacity | Type | Check on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|
| Earthway 2150 Commercial 50-Pound Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader, Garden Seeder, Salt Spreader (Editor’s Choice) | 50lb | Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader | check price here |
| Scotts Elite Broadcast Spreader with EdgeGuard | 20,000 sq. ft. | Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader | check price here |
| Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard Deluxe Broadcast Spreader | 15,000 sq. ft. | Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader | check price here |
| Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push Broadcast Spreader | 130 lb | Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader | check price here |
| Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader | 2,500 sq. ft. | Hand-Held Broadcast Spreader | check price here |
Earthway 2150 Commercial 50-Pound Walk-Behind Broadcast Spreader, Garden Seeder, Salt Spreader
This 50-pound Earthway spreader does not only accord you ample space but is built to last too. If you are tired of replacing spreaders every other time, then this is the Humvee of spreaders. It is built tough and has a “Diamond” chassis coated with epoxy powder. It has a super duty long life gearbox, and at only 25 pounds of weight and with 13-inch pneumatic tires it is effortless to push around your lawn without straining your back. With a 175 pounds load-bearing capacity, the 2150 can take loads of fertilizer for your sizeable sized lawn without breaking a sweat.
What is perhaps the most outstanding feature on this spreader is its innovative “Ev-N-Spred” system for even fertilization. This 3-hole shut off feature gives three different methods to disperse your fertilizer for an even, splotch free lawn. Its two-position adjustable height handle can also be used to control your fertilizer’s distribution rate. And to make it more convenient for you, the 2150 has a mechanism that releases more fertilizer onto your lawn depending on your walking speed. When you walk fast, the spreader will release its contents more quickly.
Pros
- Height adjustable handle
- Heavy duty construction
- Large 50 pounds carrying capacity
- Innovative “Ev-N-Spred” system
Cons
- Costly
The Earthway 2150 does cost a pretty penny for a spreader, but it is most probably the only spreader your lawn will need for a long time, due to its hardy yet efficient nature.
View price on Amazon
Scotts Elite Broadcast Spreader with EdgeGuard
Coming from a great company whose focus is the well being of your lawn, the Scotts Elite spreader is fantastic at what it does. It has Scott’s “EdgeGuard” innovative technology to ensure an even spread of your fertilizer. This feature allows you to block off the spreader’s sides so you that your fertilizer can go to the precise spot you’d like to go on your lawn or flowerbed. Scott’s Elite spreader is also purchased almost ready to go. No extensive assembly here, just buy load it and go green your lawn!
Holding at least 20,000 sq feet of lawn product, it will keep going for a long time once loaded. Its 6 feet spread pattern combined with dual rotors work like a charm spreading your fertilizer evenly across your lawn. It has a sufficient high ergonomic handle to prevent backaches and the people at Scott’s have gone a step further and added a Smartphone holder on it. How cool is that? You will love too its large never flat design of tires that ensure that you will have no downtime with this baby. A few users though have complained that the inner part of these wheels collect too much fertilizer as you spread causing fertilizer burns. To be on the safe side rinse them out with your hose after use.
Pros
- Dual rotors for even spread of fertilizer
- EdgeGuard technology to provide precision when spreading
- All-terrain ‘never flat’ large tires
- Light in weight
- Ergonomic handle with Smartphone holder
Cons
- The spreader’s wheel hold on to product causing burns on lawns
This lawn spreader has a lot of useful features on it that ensure that your fertilizer is precisely and even spread. Its wheels are not a big hit and may need a design improvement.
View price on Amazon
Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard Deluxe Broadcast Spreader
For a lawn spreader that’s assembled, calibrated and ready to go on the purchase, this Scotts Turf Builder is a fantastic option. Manufactured by an equally fantastic company this spreader can efficiently cover up to 15,000 sq. Ft of lawn. This spreader assures you of accurate fertilizer spreading through its control panel that has precision settings. It also has Scotts innovative EdgeGuard technology that blocks off the sides of the spreader to ensure precise spreading of your fertilizer to your lawn only.
Weighing 10.9 pounds the Turf Builder Pro is light enough not cause strain while pushing it around. Whats more, it has large all-terrain wheels that makes your lawn, and you time a breeze. It has a handle that high enough to ensure too that you do not have to bend while you spread that fertilizer on your lawn.
Pros
- Lightweight at only 10.9 pounds
- Uses Scotts EdgeGuard innovation for precision spreading
- Big all terrain wheels
- Can carry fertilizer that can cover up to 15000 sq.ft of lawn
- Sold ready to use
Cons
- The wheels tend to collect fertilizer as you spread causing burn spots on the lawn
This fertilizer spreader is light and comes assembled and calibrated to use. It’s efficient and sold at a reasonable price.
View price on Amazon
Agri-Fab 45-0462 Push Broadcast Spreader
This spreader is built like a tank. We are talking a rustproof powder coated metal frame replete with large easy to maneuver pneumatic tires. It does weigh like a tank too for a spreader totaling a massive 35 pounds, which sounds like a disadvantage, but it’s not. Its weight gives its stability on uneven or bumpy terrain with ease. Made of quality material it will not dent with hard usage and it has a spreader plate to ensure that it lasts you a long time. Its gearbox is enclosed too to ensure the longevity of use.
This spreader will comfortably cover at least 25,000 sq.ft of lawn which is perfect for your large lawn. Its 130 lbs carrying capacity enables it to spread fertilizer over large swaths of lawn at a time, meaning that your work will be done much faster with this spreader. To control just how much fertilizer you’d like on your lawn, there are easy set controls on and to make caring for your lawn even more comfortable there are optional accessories you can purchase to use with this spreader. There is, for example, a hopper cover to make it an all-weather fertilizer spreader as well as a grate kit and a deflector shield to prevent overspreading of fertilizer.
Pros
- Large 130 lbs carrying capacity
- Heavy duty rust free build
- Extra accessories like shield available
- Very stable on rough terrain
Cons
- Needs some time and tools to assemble
If your lawn is large, this is the perfect fertilizer spreader for you. It is also sturdily built, and its accessories will make your gardening life a breeze.
View price on Amazon
Scotts Wizz Hand-Held Spreader
This Scotts Wizz Hand spreader is probably the most innovative fertilizer spreader on this list and the lightest too. Unlike walk behind spreaders, this one is handheld and battery powered. Running on four AA batteries, its way superior to your usual handheld crank spreaders. Why? It only requires one hand to operate, so you do not strain your arms as much. Held like a suitcase you can switch between your hands to eliminate strain.
It can cover up to 2,500 sq. Ft of lawn once filled with fertilizer, which is perfect for any small to medium sized lawn. It has an easy to use orange colored dial whose settings are well laid out on the machine’s label. It also has Scotts’s EdgeGuard technology whose lever works to prevent fertilizer from spreading out on its side, so that you can apply the fertilizer where you precisely want it. The spreader comes assembled and ready to get working, and all that’s expected of you is to pull out the battery isolator paper guard and get working on your lawn.
Pros
- Battery powered spreader
- Very easy to use
- Has Edge Guard technology for the precise spreading of fertilizer
- Very light and comfortable to use for the arms
Cons
- The motor is a bit weak
This technologically advanced handheld spreader will make your gardening work easy as it is precise and easy to use.
View price on Amazon
The winner is….
The best fertilizer spreader for your lawn is one that will not only efficiently spread that fertilizer but also withstand constant use without breaking down. The Earthway 2150 is built to last and works like a charm. For a lush green lawn, this fertilizer is just what the doctor ordered!
