Are you in the market for a lawn spreader? This lawn product is a super handy tool to have as a part of your lawn care arsenal, alongside your lawn mower and other gardening tools.
Lawn spreaders make distributing things like fertiliser, grass seed, and lawn feed a breeze. Whether you have a large lawn or a small lawn, there are all kinds of lawn spreaders out there suited to your specific lawn care needs.
In this guide, we’re going to teach you everything you need to know about the lawn spreader and help you pick the best lawn spreader for you.
You may also want to check out our guide on other grass seed planter tools to give you the very best chance of a gloriously green and healthy lawn! Now let’s get started!
The Best Lawn Spreaders
Table of Contents
- The Best Lawn Spreaders
- Lawn Spreader Buying Guide
- Our Top Lawn Spreader Recommendations
- Best Overall: EverGreen Scotts EasyGreen Rotary Spreader
- Best Handheld Spreader: Gardena Hand Spreader
- Best Drop Spreader: Wolf-Garten “WE 330” Spreader
- Best Spreader For Small Lawns: Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
- Best Tow Behind Spreader : Agri-Fab 85 lb. Tow Broadcast Spreader
- Best Lawn Spreader FAQ
We recommend the following lawn spreaders, which we review in-depth below:
- Best Overall: EverGreen Scotts EasyGreen Rotary Spreader
- Best Handheld Spreader: Gardena Hand Spreader
- Best Tow Behind Spreader: Agri-Fab 85 lb. Tow Broadcast Spreader
- Best Drop Spreader: Wolf-Garten “WE 330” Spreader
- Best For Small Lawns: Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
Lawn Spreader Buying Guide
Before you invest in a lawn spreader, it’s important to make sure you know exactly what you’re looking for. Let’s explore everything you need to know before you buy a lawn spreader.
What is a Lawn Spreader?
A lawn spreader is a device that can be used to evenly distribute lawn seed and lawn care products such as fertiliser, weed killer, seed or grass food.
These devices come by many different names on the market, because of the many ways you can use them. You may see a lawn spreader also be called a fertiliser spreader, grass seed spreader or lawn feed spreader.
Lawn Spreader Types
It’s important to note that there are different kinds of lawn spreaders, each spreading fertiliser and lawn feed in different ways depending on their design. They can also be suited to different lawn sizes, and the type of lawn care you’re planning to do.
The most common kinds of lawn spreaders you’ll find are as follows:
Rotary Spreader
The rotary spreader, sometimes called a broadcast spreader, is the most common type of lawn spreader you’ll find.
These spreaders have a large hopper with a spinning disc at the base. To work it, you push the spreader and the material in the hopper (lawn seed, fertiliser, lawn food, weed & feed, etc.) will be dispersed from the base over your lawn, flung out with the spinning disc.
This spreader type is best if you want to cover a large area with lawn products evenly. However, since seed and fertiliser are flung out so far from the device, it’s not suited for specific, precise placements of products.
Drop Spreader
A drop spreader is similar to rotary spreaders, but they have much greater accuracy. These devices also have a large hopper, and you push the device to disperse the product.
Unlike rotary spreaders, a drop spreader will have materials in the hopper drop straight down, not flung out. This makes it easier to control where you are planting seeds or placing lawn care products.
Since the distribution area for a drop spreader is small, they are a great choice for smaller lawns or for reseeding a patchy lawn. However, they can still be used in large areas that need precise planting.
Handheld Spreader
For even better precision, you can use a handheld spreader for your lawn care. These are small, handheld devices that use a hand crank to disperse seed or product held in the hopper.
While we don’t recommend a handheld spreader to seed an entire lawn, they are a handy tool for small lawn care repairs. If a larger lawn has bare spots that need filling, these devices can dispense a small amount of product with better accuracy that a larger lawn spreader.
Lawn Spreader Styles
Both rotary spreaders and drop spreaders can come in different styles for different methods of use. For most products on the market today, a lawn spreader will either be a push spreader, or a tow behind spreader.
A push spreader works in the way we described above, with users pushing the spreader in front of them as they go.
With a tow behind spreader, the spreader can be attached to another form of transport, usually, a ride-on mower or ATV, to be pulled behind the machine.
For the average homeowner, a manually operated push spreader should do the trick, able to handle lawns from 5,000-20,000 square feet. However, if you are looking to cover acres of land, a tow behind spreader hooked up to a form of transport can be much more efficient.
Hopper Capacity
You’ll also want to consider the holding capacity of the hopper, depending on lawn size and the amount of product used.
A lawn spreader for the average homeowner can typically fit a 5-10 bag of product. If you have a larger estate with a larger lawn, you can find a lawn spreader with a capacity of up to 40 pounds of product.
For those doing farm work, covering acres of land, you’ll need industrial sized equipment. In these cases, look for lawn spreaders with a capacity of 80+ pounds.
Our Top Lawn Spreader Recommendations
Here we’ve rounded up our top picks for the best lawn spreaders on the market today. Take a look!
Best Overall: EverGreen Scotts EasyGreen Rotary Spreader
- Variable settings to apply lawn food or grass seed
- Spreading width is 122-340 cm
- Adjustable handle bar for comfortable use and storage
Product Review
Those looking for their first lawn spreader will find a lot to love with this rotary spreader from Scotts!
This is a classic rotary spreader, perfect for spreading lawn food, fertiliser, or grass seed on both small lawns and large lawns. It’s an easy-to-use push spreader, with a spreading width of up to ten feet wide.
All you need to do is load up the plastic hopper with your preferred product, set the handle upright, and start pushing! The handlebar has an easy toggle to open and close the hopper for better product placement control.
We also love that the handlebar on this is adjustable for your own comfort, and can even be folded down for easy storage. If you want to get your lawn green, this is one great tool for the job.
Pros
- Simple to set up and use
- Adjustable for easy storage
- 10 feet in width product distribution suited to large lawns
- Can easily distribute grass seed, lawn food, and fertiliser
- On/off trigger, and ability to control spreader rate
Cons
- Designed for use with Miracle-Gro EverGreen Products
Best Handheld Spreader: Gardena Hand Spreader
- Throughout the year used: In warm seasons spreads effortlessly fertilizer or seeds, suitable in winter for rapid spreading of salt, durable thanks to break-proof and corrosion resistant plastic
- Loads: 4-stage ergonomic flow adjustment on the handle, open / close mechanism by function key
- Weight: approx 1.65 kg fertilizer, road salt about 2.0 kg, about 1.0 kg seeds
Product Review
We love this handheld spreader for its ease of use, and its versatility, making it a great investment for more than just gardening.
For lawn care in the warmer months, this is the perfect lawn spreader product for small lawns and gardens. You can easily hold this handheld spreader with its ergonomic handle, then use the hand crank to evenly distribute lawn seed, fertilizer, lawn food, and more.
Disbursement speed is adjustable, with an easy-to-use level featured on the handle, and the product can be dispersed up to 1-4 meters.
When you’re not using it for lawn care, you can load up the hopper area with road salt to evenly distribute salt on driveways and stairs around the home in the winter months. This means you can use this spreader in more than just the summertime, making it a great year-round tool.
Pros
- Can be used for lawn seed, fertiliser, lawn food, road salt, etc.
- Adjustable deployment speeds
- Ergonomic handle
- 1-2kg holding capacity
Cons
- Have to use a hand crank to disperse the product
Best Drop Spreader: Wolf-Garten “WE 330” Spreader
- Capacity: 15 L
- Spread (max.): 41 cm
- Material: Steel, Plastic
Product Review
Even product distribution is easy with this drop spreader from Wolf Garten. The WE 330 is a classic drop spreader, suitable for the average home’s gardens and lawns.
This drop spreader can be used for seeds, fertiliser, lawn food, and more, with an impressive 15 liters in holding capacity in the spreader’s hopper. Its spreading width of 41 cm makes it easy to cover large areas of lawn quickly, with a high level of precision during lawn spreader use.
This lawn spreader is lightweight, easy to maneuver, and even easier to use. Simply push the lawn spreader forwards and watch the product flow.
Gardeners love Wolf Garten tools, and this lawn spreader is no exception. If you’re looking for a great drop spreader at a nice price point, this product is a good one!
Pros
- Low price point
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- Large hopper capacity
- Compatible with different types of lawn care products from different brands
Cons
- Start/stop bar is on the hopper basket and not the handle
- Hopper bin is not super durable
Best Spreader For Small Lawns: Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
- Features Scotts exclusive EdgeGuard Technology
- Designed to ensure superior results when used with Scotts lawn food
- Holds up to 5,000 sq. ft. of Scotts lawn products
Product Review
We love this lawn spreader from Scotts for homeowners with small lawns or small storage space who still want a decent lawn spreader with a lot of power.
This lawn spreader is only 20 inches wide, making it ideal for smaller lawns, or those with gardens that have tighter angles and hard-to-reach places. Though it’s small in size it still puts in the work, able to hold a decent amount of product.
We love this lawn spreader for its additional features. Spreader width can easily be controlled using spreader settings on the back of the device. The handle also has a handy on and off trigger, so you can easily control exactly when you’re dispensing the product.
This lawn spreader is also fitted with EdgeGuard technology, able to prevent the spread of lawn products on the right side of the machine. This means less product wasted on pavement and walkways, and more product staying on the grass where it’s intended.
Pros
- Small in size for easy storage between uses
- Adjustable product deployment speeds
- EdgeGuard technology for less wasted product
- Can be used for grass seed, fertiliser, lawn food, and more
Cons
- Meant for use with Scotts branded products
Best Tow Behind Spreader : Agri-Fab 85 lb. Tow Broadcast Spreader
- Capacity: 85 lbs. ; 1/4 Acre (14, 000 sq. Ft. ). Pallet Quantity: 36
- Spread width: up to 10Ft. Spread
- Wheels: 10" Pneumatic tires
Product Review
For those with a larger lawn or property, a tow behind spreader like this can be a worthwhile investment. We love this tow behind spreader from Agri-Fab for its high-quality build, large hopper capacity, and ability to be hooked up to a wide range of equipment.
This lawn spreader can hold up to 86 lbs of product, suitable for larger lawns up to a ¼ acre in size. The hopper bin is suitable for lawn food, grass seed, and fertiliser, and can be spread up to 10 feet in width.
This is a high-quality spreader, with a rustproof poly hopper and spreader plate built to last. It’s also fitted with 10” pneumatic tires perfect for outdoor use.
This spreader is able to be hooked up to most ride-on mowers or ATV vehicles on your property. If you have a large lawn and want to cover a ton of area fast, this is a lawn spreader we recommend.
Pros
- Large hopper capacity
- Easy to hookup to lawnmowers and ATVs
- Hopper is compatible with a wide range of lawn care products
Cons
- Only really an option if you have a ride-on mower or ATV, although a powerful self-propelled lawnmower would work
- Needs to be assembled
Best Lawn Spreader FAQ
Still got questions? Here are some of the most common questions people have about lawn spreaders.
What can I use my lawn spreader for?
A lawn spreader can be used for all kinds of things when it comes to lawn care!
Most commonly, a lawn spreader will be used to evenly distribute lawn seed across a lawn, evenly distributing product over a large area of space in a short amount of time.
The way lawn spreaders evenly distribute products means they’re also great for spreading the product that helps grass grow! After spreading seed, you can use a lawn spreader to also cover your lawn in fertiliser, lawn food, or even weed killer, ensuring all surface area is covered.
How long does grass take to grow?
The time it takes your new grass seeds to germinate will vary based on the grass seed variety and conditions at the time of planting, but will likely take anywhere from 3-28 days. For more details, check out our post that explores how long grass seed takes to grow in more depth.
How do I properly store my fertiliser spreader?
As some products can promote rust and damage to your spreader, it’s important to thoroughly rinse and clean the spreader after each use. Once clean, allow it to dry completely, then store it in a protected area like a garage or a garden shed.
How do I calibrate a lawn spreader?
Calibrating your lawn spreader will ensure you are getting even and consistent outputs of products as you use it. This means a more even spread of product on your lawn, and an easier time determining how much product you’ll need for your lawn.
To do this, you’ll want to weigh out a set amount of fertiliser to cover a set test size area. (For example, let’s say you want to use 5 pounds of fertiliser per 1000 feet of lawn. For your test, measure out 6 lbs of fertiliser for your 1000 square foot test area.)
Put the product in your lawn spreader, then begin to walk your test area. Once you have walked the entire 1000 square feet, close your lawn spreader and measure the remaining product. If you have 1 lb left, your lawn spreader is properly calibrated. If you use all your product, you may need to adjust your spreader opening to disperse less product.
To learn more about lawn spreader calibration, click here.