Fertilizer Spreader Types

In his diary post earlier today Rob mentioned two types of fertilizer spreaders, hand-held and drop. Are there also other types, and which is preferable?

Essentially, there are three types: hand-held, drop, and broadcast.

Hand-held spreaders are just what the name suggests, a hand-held spreader. These are useful for smaller areas, but don't have the capacity to cover an entire lawn. If you have a hillside you need coverage on that may be too steep for a drop spreader, these would be the ticket.

Drop spreaders are ones you push. They 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 is not covered equally. Striping is the distinctive pattern created when you miss or overlap rows.

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 have a small yard, a hand-held spreader may be all you need. If you want complete control, think about getting a drop spreader. If you have a large area to cover, a broadcast spreader may do the trick.