Keep your garden or yard healthy each season by using a fertilizer spreader to distribute fertilizer evenly. Different types of fertilizer spreaders ensure that the fertilizer is dispersed over the lawn or garden in a certain pattern. This gardening tool can make fertilizing and maintaining your lawn an efficient process and there are several things to consider before making your investment. When you’ve decided which spreader to buy, or need help choosing one, you can find a local dealer here.

Types

Three main types of fertilizer spreaders are available for residential and commercial use. Broadcast spreaders, also known as rotary spreaders, work by dropping fertilizer from a hopper over a large lot. Drop spreaders provide you with more control because they drop fertilizer in neat rows and straight lines of equal width. Hand-held fertilizer spreaders shoot out fertilizer from a small spout and are best used to spread fertilizer over small plots of land and gardens.

Key Features

Look for the following features when investing in a fertilizer spreader: cushioned grip or handles, sturdy pneumatic wheels, lightweight design, lever controls, rustproof hopper, automatic shutoff system, precision depth gauge, row marker and seed plates. Some models are designed with flip-up handles for ease of use, while others may be designed with extra-large hoppers to handle large volumes of fertilizer or seed, and oversized wheels to cover hilly terrain.

Types of Accessories

Purchase fertilizer spreader accessories to improve the performance of your lawn care equipment and protect your investment. Purchase a rain cover to protect your fertilizer from contamination. Invest in a side deflector kit to keep sand, rock salt and ice melt from being thrown onto the sidewalk or driveway. Buy a mounting kit to attach the fertilizer spreader to a lawn tractor or mower.

Warnings

Wear protective clothing as recommended by the manufacturer when using the fertilizer spreader. You may need to purchase goggles, gardening gloves and a thick vest to prevent fertilizer from coming into contact with your skin. Learn about all the maintenance and cleaning requirements of your fertilizer spreader to ensure all the parts and motors are performing at their optimal level. You may need to oil or lubricate certain parts on a regular basis, and wipe down the unit using a soft cloth and cleaning solution.

Considerations

Calibrate the fertilizer spreader according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Different types of spreaders must be calibrated according to the type of fertilizer you are using. Review warranty information when comparing brands of fertilizer spreaders to ensure your investment is covered for any problems with the spinning discs, the hopper and the motor.

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