
Here’s a quick guide on how to use one:
- Take note of any special application information on the back of the bag, as well as the correct dial setting for what you’re spreading.
- Set the dial on the spreader and fill the hopper with product.
- Treat the perimeter of your lawn first, then steadily cover all areas of your yard going back and forth in straight lines.
What is the best way to spread grass seed?
What to Cover New Grass Seed With
- Preparing the Soil Facilitates Planting. Imagine if you were a grass seed and someone threw you on a compacted, dried-out patch of ground. ...
- Covering Grass Seed After Planting. If you took the time to prepare the soil before planting, covering the seed is easy. ...
- Don't Introduce Weeds. If you decide to use straw mulch, make sure it's sterile. ...
How to build your own seed spreader?
Use a small nail with a hammer or a 3 mm (1/8 inch) drill bit for starters. Make a second row of holes offset from the first row. Place the lid on the bottom of the can and fill just enough seed to test the spreader. Test the grass seed spreader over an open newspaper to see the flow of seeds. Adjust accordingly by enlarging or making more holes.
What is the easy way to plant grass seeds?
- Soak the soil 4 to 6 inches deep immediately after seeding. ...
- Depending on weather conditions, follow up with daily or twice daily watering until the seeds are well established.
- It's important to never let the seed dry out as this inhibits germination. ...
Does grass produce its own seeds?
The small flowers in most grass species are known as florets. Florets grow together in small groups called spikelets, which collectively form inflorescences. Flowers produce the spores that pollinate other flowers, which produce seeds. With any luck, some of the seeds will grow new healthy grass plants. (This site explains grass reproduction in detail.)
What is a lawn spreader?
What About A Behind Tow Spreader?
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Your Garden?
How does a broadcast lawn spreader work?
What are the different types of lawn spreaders?
Why is a level impeller important?
How to choose a pattern for a hopper?
See 2 more

What setting should my grass spreader be on?
Place your spreader setting on a low setting (usually one-fourth of the spreader setting range or less). Spread the material over a 50 x 20-foot area (1,000 square feet). If there is material left over, increase your setting. If you come up short, decrease your setting.
What do I set my spreader at?
Set your spreader so that the opening(s) in the bottom are ¾ open when engaged. Put 6.5 pounds or 1/5 of a bag of Milorganite into your spreader. Begin fertilizing your lawn, starting along an edge, and continue until the spreader is empty. Leave the spreader where it was when it ran out of Milorganite.
How do I fertilize my lawn with broadcast spreader?
3:275:35How to use a lawn spreader like a pro - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're going to put down half. Now when you do your fertilization. You're just gonna make those twoMoreYou're going to put down half. Now when you do your fertilization. You're just gonna make those two passes. And you get the exact amount of fertilizer down on your lawn.
How do you fertilize with a spreader?
Place the spreader at one end of the area, 3 feet from the edge. The spreader throws the fertilizer out to the side, so don't stand right on the edge. Squeeze or push the handle to begin dispensing it. Walk at a slow, steady pace, about 3 miles per hour to cover the entire perimeter of the area.
What do numbers on spreader mean?
The numbers stand for an application rate. A bag of commercial fertilizer will usually have numbers for where to set either broadcast or drop spreaders to get the recommended amount of fertilizer laid down. The numbers on the bag may be different for various brands of spreaders.
What do lawn spreader settings mean?
A spreader setting is the rate in which you apply product to your lawn. Each Jonathan Green product has recommended rates of application and coverage based on bag size. The application rate is defined as the amount of material applied per unit area of land.
Should you cut grass before fertilizing?
Ideally, you'll want to mow and rake before fertilizing, so that excess lawn waste is removed and the fertilizer will have an easier time reaching the soil. Aerating your soil before fertilizing can also help; the best times to aerate are when your grass is actively growing, such as in spring or early fall.
How often should you fertilize your lawn?
A full feeding is recommended at least 5-6 times per year. You want to feed your lawn when it's growing most rapidly. However, you should base the frequency on your climate and the type of grass you have. For example, cool season grasses can be fertilized in late spring, but only if necessary.
Why is my lawn stripes after fertilizing?
These strips are caused by the misapplication of fertilizer. More specifically, the stripes are caused by not aligning the spreader as you make each pass. Most spreaders, either drop or broadcast, will have an “edge” where the fertilizer hits the lawn.
Can I just spread fertilizer by hand?
If you have no other way to do it, you can certainly spread it by hand. Just make sure to use gloves and apply it very carefully. Walk backward, throwing fertilizer out as you go in a sweeping motion. Of course, you can use water-soluble or liquid fertilizers with a hose too.
Can you mix grass seed and fertilizer in a spreader?
Applying fertilizer at the same time you seed your lawn is not a recommended idea. Many experts will tell you that doing so you could risk to destroy a large part of your lawn where the soil was heavily fertilized.
Can I spread top soil with Scotts spreader?
A: Andy, the Scotts Elite Spreader should not be used to spread materials like soil or peat moss. It will not spread evenly and could clog up the spreader.
What is the best number to set a spreader for grass seed?
For best coverage, set the spreader at 50 percent, and then spread your seed two ways in a crosshatch pattern. Points to consider with broadcast spreaders include: They suit large lawns and cover wide areas efficiently.
What setting do I put my Scotts spreader for grass seed?
For example, according to Scotts, the Scotts broadcast spreader settings for ryegrass seed should be set at setting 15 for new lawns and setting 5 for reseeding. Fertilizers will require a different setting as well.
Are Scotts spreader settings lbs per 1000 sq ft?
The fertilizer bag states that I should apply 40 lbs. per 5000 sq. ft. or 8 lbs per 1000 sq ft.
How do I calculate lawn spreader?
First, use the following formula to determine how much fertilizer is needed to apply 0.5 pound N per 1,000 square feet to the turf: pounds of N per 1,000 square feet desired for application ÷ percent of N in fertilizer (in decimal form) = pounds of fertilizer per 1,000 square feet.
What is a lawn spreader?
A lawn spreader is an essential piece of gardening equipment you need if your lawn is in need of work. It can make your life much easier by giving you a convenient way to spread fertilizer or plant seeds, and there are various types to choose from. What are the main types of lawn spreaders?
What About A Behind Tow Spreader?
A behind tow spreader basically means that the spreader is attached to the back of a rider or tractor.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Your Garden?
When using fertilizer, you have to make sure you choose the right type that gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow and be healthy .
How does a broadcast lawn spreader work?
How they work is that they have a rotating device placed underneath their container, or hopper as it’s called, and then the fertilizer or seeds get released in a fanlike way over the lawn.
What are the different types of lawn spreaders?
There are two main types of lawn spreaders. These are broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders. They both have pros and cons to consider. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to use a lawn spreader the correct way, depending on the type of spreader that you are interested in purchasing for your lawn.
Why is a level impeller important?
Here’s why a level impeller is important: It ensures that you can spread the product more accurately and evenly, and can also prevent the spreader from bouncing along the ground so you don’t get uneven spreading.
How to choose a pattern for a hopper?
To choose and set a pattern, you first want to check that how the product is being released from the hopper is suitable. So, check that the flow lever is closed, then fill up your hopper, open the flow lever and then push the spreader for three paces of your normal walking speed, if it’s a spreader that you will use by pushing in front of you.
How many square feet can a broadcast spreader cover?
The hopper can hold enough product to cover 20,000 square feet. Broadcast spreaders make lawn care tasks as fast as greased lightning—you may even feel compelled to do a little dance when you’re done (it’s okay to keep that to yourself).
What is broadcast spreader?
Broadcast spreaders are a secret to keeping your grass nice and thick—and a spiffy shade of green. They’re a triple threat, like the John Travolta of lawn tools: You can use it to seed, feed, and even weed your yard, plus pull it out in winter to apply Scotts® Eco-Blend Snow & Ice Melt on your hardscapes.
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What is a Hand Spreader?
Hand spreading seeds or fertilizer without some type of tool isn’t recommended. You won’t be able to space the material very well, which means you’ll end up with clumps of seeds and fertilizer as well as bare patches.
What is the best spreader for a driveway?
A hand spreader is the easiest of all types of spreaders to use. Compared to a drop or broadcast spreader that you push across the yard, a handheld type is lightweight, inexpensive, and simple to use. It’s best for smaller spaces and smaller budgets. You can even use it for distributing salt on your driveway or walkways in the winter.
How to stop a fertilizer spreader from spinning?
If you need to stop walking, simply stop cranking or stop the motor from spinning. Clean and dry the spreader after each use. Printer Friendly Version.
Can you use a hand spreader to spread fertilizer?
Using a hand spreader isn’t difficult. If you can walk the entirety of your yard, you can easily use this device to disperse seeds or fertilizer. First, make sure you read the instructions for using your particular model. In general, though, you can follow these steps and tips:
Do I Need A Spreader For Just Grass Seed?
You don’t necessarily need a separate spreader for grass seed only. Keeping your dual-use spreader clean of buildup from seed husks or fertilizer materials will help you be sure the openings stay clear and can accommodate the different sized materials as you use the spreader throughout the year.
How Do Spreaders Work?
Each performs as their name implies: drop spreaders don’t cast the seed outwards ; instead, they drop seed and fertilizer through the opening in the bottom of the spreader’s hopper.
Can I Fertilize And Overseed At The Same Time?
You should never mix fertilizer and seed since you won’t be able to control the evenness of the seed distribution. These should always be separate applications. Fertilizer is generally made of heavier material than seeds and can disrupt the even spread of seeds when being released from the hopper, usually resulting in uneven growth. Fertilizer should be applied first; then, your grass seed can be sown.
What is a good fertilizer spreader?
A good fertilizer spreader can apply just the right amount of product. The key is to choose a model that has an adjustable spread rate setting to deliver the product uniformly and in accurate amounts to the left, center and right while applying the recommended volume for your lawn size.
What is a broadcast spreader?
Broadcaster spreaders and drop spreaders are push-powered workhorses that share many features in common. At the heart of both is a hopper with adjustable holes in the bottom. A gauge mounted on the spreader’s handlebar allows you to accurately set the size of these holes (following the recommended setting listed on many bags of lawn products), allowing the proper volume of material to uniformly exit the hopper. Alongside the gauge, a flow lever controls when the material drops onto the lawn by opening and closing a plate under the hopper holes. But the two machines have their differences, too.
How do drop spreaders work?
They work best on small lawns and in yards with numerous flowerbeds, sidewalks or patios where you need to carefully control the spread pattern. Unless you’re meticulous about lining up adjacent passes, the payload either is laid too thick or misses portions of the grass, resulting in visible striping.
What is the key to operating a broadcaster spreader?
The key to operating a broadcaster spreader is to achieve even dispersal at the right concentration. To do this:
How to spread a spreader?
Otherwise you’ll have to resort to trial and error. Set the spreader to a light coverage (try a 1/4-in. to 3/16-in. hole in the hopper), apply the product over the recommended square footage, and check how much product you have left in the hopper. Adjust the dial to spread the remaining material over the same area, going perpendicular to the first pattern.
How much product can a hopper hold?
Hopper capacity of at least 25 to 30 lbs. of product so you’ll spend less time refilling the spreader.
What to use after broadcasting?
After the broadcaster is dry, periodically use a light lubricant spray like WD-40 to protect all moving parts, the axle bushings on the wheels and the gear-box. Avoid lubricants that contain Teflon or silicone. They may seal in certain chemicals from the fertilizers and speed up corrosion.
1. Identify Your Spreader
There are two types of spreaders: drop spreaders and rotary spreaders. Drop spreaders are most commonly used on smaller lawns and areas where you want to have a more localized application. Rotary spreaders have a circular, fan-like feature that allows the product to be dispersed across larger areas of grass.
2. Check your Spreader Settings
Spreader settings can be found on the back of most grass seed bags. Visit our spreader settings page to find the setting that corresponds to the specific Jonathan Green product you’ve selected. Spin the dial on your spreader to the correct setting.
3. Close the Hopper
Before you begin to use your spreader tool, make sure the port at the bottom of the tool is closed to avoid excess product spilling out onto the ground.
4. Fill the Spreader
Ensure that your spreader is closed before filling it and pour the correct amount of product into the spreader, being careful not to overfill it. Always make sure you are filling your spreader in a driveway or on the sidewalk to avoid spilling excess product onto your lawn.
5. Apply the Product
It’s all in the technique! Walk at a steady pace while using your spreader to apply the product evenly to the entire lawn. We recommend first applying product around the perimeter of your lawn as a buffer zone and then making passes back and forth until the entire lawn is covered.
What is a lawn spreader?
A lawn spreader is an essential piece of gardening equipment you need if your lawn is in need of work. It can make your life much easier by giving you a convenient way to spread fertilizer or plant seeds, and there are various types to choose from. What are the main types of lawn spreaders?
What About A Behind Tow Spreader?
A behind tow spreader basically means that the spreader is attached to the back of a rider or tractor.
What Is The Best Fertilizer For Your Garden?
When using fertilizer, you have to make sure you choose the right type that gives your lawn the nutrients it needs to grow and be healthy .
How does a broadcast lawn spreader work?
How they work is that they have a rotating device placed underneath their container, or hopper as it’s called, and then the fertilizer or seeds get released in a fanlike way over the lawn.
What are the different types of lawn spreaders?
There are two main types of lawn spreaders. These are broadcast spreaders and drop spreaders. They both have pros and cons to consider. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how to use a lawn spreader the correct way, depending on the type of spreader that you are interested in purchasing for your lawn.
Why is a level impeller important?
Here’s why a level impeller is important: It ensures that you can spread the product more accurately and evenly, and can also prevent the spreader from bouncing along the ground so you don’t get uneven spreading.
How to choose a pattern for a hopper?
To choose and set a pattern, you first want to check that how the product is being released from the hopper is suitable. So, check that the flow lever is closed, then fill up your hopper, open the flow lever and then push the spreader for three paces of your normal walking speed, if it’s a spreader that you will use by pushing in front of you.
