Quotes

Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.Henry David Thoreau

5 Best Fertilizer Spreaders


Most recommended
Tow Broadcast Spreader
  • 26″ Sweeper Width
  • 9.75″ x 2.25″ Plastic Wheels
  • 4 tough

A good choice too
Turf Builder EdgeGuard
  • ScotchBlue
  • Brand: Scotts
  • Calibrated

A good choice too
Hand-Powered Spreader
  • Scotts Whirl
  • Color: Brown/A
  • Scotts

Broadcast Fertilizer
  • Item Weight 25.5 pounds
  • EarthWay
  • 25.5 pounds

Estate 80-Pound Walk
  • BROADCAST SPREADER
  • Item Weight 14 pounds
  • Earthway


Choose the Best Fertilizer Spreader

Customer’s Choice: the Best Rated Fertilizer Spreaders

16 users answered this survey. Please help us improve this review!

37.5% of users selected Tow Broadcast Spreader, 6.25% selected Turf Builder EdgeGuard, 12.5% selected Hand-Powered Spreader, 18.75% selected Broadcast Fertilizer and 25% selected Estate 80-Pound Walk. Every month we analyze your answers and change our rating.

Fertilizing a lawn in the early spring is the most effective method to ensure that your garden grows well throughout the summer. You may anticipate thicker, stronger, lush grass that looks great if you feed it. Fertilizing your lawn eliminates all of the poor spots and boosts everything to grow faster in the growth season.

Fertilizing a lawn by hand, on the other hand, is a time-consuming process that may take hours. It’s a waste of time and effort to lug an 18-pound bag around your garden and scatter handfuls of granules throughout the yard.

Why not to buy a fertilizer spreader instead of trying to feed your lawn manually? These machines assist you in spreading an even and equal layer of fertilizer throughout the area, minimizing the risk of fertilizer scorching your lawn.

Benefits of fertilizer spreaders: 

  • Accuracy of application;
  • Many functions;
  • Simple to use;
  • Durable build;
  • Easy maintenance;
  • Protects from contamination;

This list of the top 5 fertilizer spreaders was compiled by professional gardeners who looked at capacity, functionality, and operation while evaluating the top models available to determine the greatest fit for your lawn care requirements.

The comparison table, buying guide and product reviews are included to give you highlights about some of the best fertilizer spreaders out there. Hopefully, the guide will help you to find the best spreader for your garden. 

Agri-Fab 45-0530 Tow Broadcast Spreader – the best for easy assembly!

In the spring season, the Agri-Fab 45-0530 spreader may be the ideal spreader for you. Distribute grass seed over barren areas as required for best results. Fertilize and feed as needed throughout the summer to promote growth.

The 10-inch pneumatic tires allow for smooth movement throughout the job site. Applying grass seed/fertilizer is prevented from interrupting activity by an enclosed gearbox. Depending on the material and application speed, the 85 lb.

With a spread width of up to 120 inches and an 83-pound capacity, it can cover 14,200 sq. ft. in one pass. A rustproof hopper and plate, as well as 10 inch x 4 inch pneumatic tyres for smoother operation, are included.

Most ride-on mowers, lawn tractors, and ATVs are compatible with the Agri-Fab 45-0530 spreader. For additional convenience, the on/off control is easy to use even from the tractor seat.

Pros
  • Maneuverable;
  • Suitable for sand, seed and fertilizer;
  • Rustproof poly spreader;
  • Good coverage;
  • Good assembly;
  • On/off control;
  • 3-year limited warranty;
Cons
  • Heavy;
  • The seed flow handle is flimsy;
  • The spread rate is not controlled;

This superb garden spreader is built to make spreading fertilizer, sand, and seed simpler.


Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Spreader – the best for salting!

Scotts Turf Builder spreader delivers grass seed and fertilizer treatments more efficiently. With EdgeGuard tech, you may keep product off your landscape, roads, and sidewalks while knowing that it will be distributed evenly.

More precise coverage is provided by the control panel. The Scotts spreader comes pre-calibrated and assembled, with a fold-down handle for convenient storage. It may also be used to do the salting.

This has a spread width of 5 ft. and a covering area of up to 5,000 sq. ft. Scott’s unique EdgeGuard is also included, which is a guard that stops the right side of the unit to stop the product from spilling into places you don’t want it to, such as pathways or flower beds.

This is an excellent all-around fertilizer spreader that does a good job in most places but falls short in others. It’s simple to use, has a lot of options, is quick to load, and has a nice spread pattern.

Pros
  • A good spread pattern;
  • Good price;
  • Easy to maintain;
  • Easy to push;
  • Good for salting;
  • A comfy foldable handle;
  • Supplied fully assembled;
Cons
  • The fertilizer can accumulate inside;
  • The plastic wheels may crack;

If you don’t want to use a hand spreader but don’t want to spend a lot of money, this is a wonderful option – particularly since it’s priced similarly to many handheld spreaders. Despite this, it has adequate space for moderately large tasks and is compact enough to fold and store conveniently.


Scotts Whirl Hand-Powered Spreader – the best for small yards!

Small lawns are the focus of this Scotts portable spreader. The machine is designed to distribute feed and seed across limited regions. It is portable and lightweight, weighing around 1.5 pounds.

The spreader can cover up to 1,500 sq. ft. when filled completely. It’s not only good for seed and feed, but it’s also good for ice melting during the harsh winter months.

With movable arm support for optimum comfort, this device is designed to provide smooth and uniform product coverage. This Scotts spreader is pre-assembled, so you can start treating your lawn right away after buying it.

Pros
  • Great for small yards;
  • Good for year-round use to seed, weed, fertilize;
  • Good to apply ice melt;
  • Smooth and even coverage;
  • Portable and lightweight;
  • Good arm/wrist support;
  • No assembly;
Cons
  • Too small for large areas;
  • The coverage is below average;
  • Needs walking and cranking manually;
  • Some parts are flimsy;
  • Spillage is possible;

This Scotts spreader is your best choice if you’re on a tight budget and need anything for a small yard or something lightweight and simple to operate.


Earthway Even Spread 2150 Commercial Spreader – the best for design!

The Earthway 2150 spreader is designed to withstand the elements. It’s also quite easy to apply and has a lot of useful features.

It features a frame that can carry a load of up to 175 pounds as a 50-pound capacity hopper. It features a two-position adjustable handle and can extend up to 9 feet wide. It includes a 5-year warranty and sturdy 13-inch diameter tires.

It’s extremely simple to roll since it appears to absorb the bumps, allowing you to travel up and down hills and over uneven terrain while always being in control and without fear of tipping over.

When you push it, the design and construction quality contributes to a sense of complete steadiness. The drum is centered on a large axis – plastic is applied where necessary, but the essential components (such as the frame, grips, control, and axis) are all made of metal.

Pros
  • Large wheels;
  • Sturdy frame;
  • Smart walk-behind design;
  • Comfortable to use;
  • Precise and even spread;
  • Quiet;
  • Easy to maintain;
  • No clogged chutes;
  • An adjustable handle;
  • 5-year warranty;
Cons
  • Bad instructions;
  • No precise spreader rates;

The Earthway 2150 may be the answer if you require a spreader for a golf course or another business enterprise. This device features a 50-pound hopper capacity and a three-hole falling shut-off system. As you stroll and push it from behind, the Earthway’s patented “EVN-Spred” tech guarantees an equal distribution of fertilizer granules.


Earthway 2050P Estate Walk-Behind Spreader – the best for even spreading!

The Earthway 2050P spreader has wide, durable tires that make it simple to operate no matter what terrain you’re on. The tires, which are 10 inches in diameter and have deep treads and excellent flotation, have been classified as Light Truck tires and can easily handle even the most difficult, uneven lawns.

The spreader’s frame is made of a durable steel, and its polymer hopper can hold up to 80 pounds of material. This spreader also has a 3-hole proprietary Ev-N-Spred drop system that ensures an even spread. It may also distribute fertilizer, lime, salt, and other materials.

Anyone with hills, slopes, or rocky areas in their yard will benefit from this spreader’s ability to navigate across any terrain. The pneumatic tires excel in navigating rough, uneven soil. The hopper can handle both big and small loads, and it always throws the goods forward, not backward, into the user’s shoes.

Pros
  • Smooth and even spread;
  • Easy to assemble;
  • Compact;
  • Can be used to spread lime, salt, etc.;
  • Compatible with pelletized and granular products;
  • Heavy-duty frame;
  • Multiple openings are wide;
Cons
  • The handle height is short;
  • No edge guard for patios, flowerbeds, sidewalks;
  • No screen to prevent clogging;

The Earthway 2050P spreader was excellent, particularly the mechanism that enables fertilizer to be regulated and prevented overspreading into sidewalks and garden areas. This spreader can be recommended to anybody who needs consistent, precise fertilizer and grass seed delivery.


The Buyer’s Guide

Major types of fertilizer spreaders:

1) Broadcast/rotary spreaders

A rotary spreader disperses seeds or grains that gently flow from a hopper using a revolving base plate. Broadcast spreaders get their name from the fact that they fling the product many feet in front and to the sides of the spreader.

On each pass, rotary spreaders range in size three times their width or more. These are the quickest instruments for distributing dry materials, although their spreading accuracy is less than that of drop spreaders. Rotary spreaders come in a variety of sizes, so you may choose one that will work for a little garden, a huge estate lawn, or anything in between.

2) Drop spreaders

When accuracy is crucial, a drop spreader is your choice. These units drop a swath of products immediately underneath the spreader via a large, narrow opening. They offer precise coverage, but this feature increases the likelihood of missing or covering an area twice.

This tool is excellent if you need to cover a specific region. Because the product only falls between the wheels of a drop spreader, you can simply control where it is distributed. The disadvantage is that using a drop spreader rather than a rotary spreader takes longer to cover a lawn.

3) Spray/liquid spreaders

A hose-end chemical spreader/sprayer is the most effective method to distribute liquid fertilizer and similar liquid lawn treatments. The proper amount of concentrated chemicals is automatically mixed with the flowing stream of water that passes through the spreader and out the nozzle by these devices.

Liquid spreaders are particularly helpful as secondary instruments in emergencies like insect infestations. They enable you to apply for coverage more rapidly than the other two kinds of spreaders, but they are less precise. Also, keep in mind that liquid lawn treatments provide rapid effects, but since liquids evaporate faster than granules, they are more expensive to apply on a daily basis.

Design and durability

Before you purchase anything, always check the brand and consider the device’s build quality. If the item has fragile components and a cheap price tag, it’s an indication of flimsy build quality to stay away from. Look for carts that are made of metal and have a sturdy structure. The reservoir should be made of tough plastic, and the wheels have to be tough.

Holding capacity

The holding capacity of the spreader is important since it will decide how frequently you need to refill it depending on the area size you apply it on. Ideally, you should just load the spreader with the therapy and apply it to the whole region.

The size of the lawn and the spreader’s capacity matter. For small lawns up to 1,500 sq. ft. a portable spreader will do just fine. A compact walk-behind spreader can be great for medium lawns up to 5,000 sq. ft. For yards up to 20,000 sq. ft. large walk-behind spreaders can work. If your yard is bigger than half an acre, consider investing into a tow-behind spreader.

Spreading capacity

The kinds of materials that a spreader can accept are referred to as spreading capability. Pelletized chemicals and grass seeds are spreadable by all fertilizer spreaders, while sand, powdered lime, and compost are spreadable by much fewer.

Precision

All lawn spreaders provide more accuracy than hand-spreading fertilizer. Even yet, some spreaders are more accurate than others. In the case of spreaders, accuracy and speed are diametrically opposed. Drop spreaders are more accurate, but they are also slower. Broadcast spreaders are less precise, but they are quicker. Liquid spreaders are not precise, but they are quick.

The most accurate spreaders are drop spreaders, which are calibrated for a constant flow rate and only distribute a narrow band immediately underneath the hopper, between the wheels. A broadcast spreader may be calibrated to provide a constant flow rate, but for even coverage, you should walk at a steady pace. Liquid spreaders are calibrated by manufacturers to precisely combine the quantity of concentrate per gallon of water, but you have control over the coverage.

Useful Video: TOP 4: Best Fertilizer and Lawn Spreaders

Final thoughts 

You should now have a good understanding of how fertilizer spreaders function, how they may help your garden, and which type is right for you. If you’re still having difficulty deciding, one of the top five options is a good place to start. Make use of your newfound information to choose the fertilizer spreader that is ideal for your lawn.