Buying your own fertilizer spreader has its perks. The most notable one is that you have more control over the amount of fertilizer you spread per square foot of your lawn. You get the perfect amount of fertilizer rather than too much or too little.
Every good gardener knows how fine the line is between over-fertilizing and undernourishing. Therefore, every gardener should know which brands sell the best fertilizer spreader.
Before spending any money, it is necessary to do a little research. To help you out, we have reviewed some of the top fertilizer spreaders available online.
Comparison Chart
Best Fertilizer Spreader Reviews
The key to selecting the best spreader is to see whether or not it meets your needs. There are two main types of fertilizer spreaders: the drop spreader and the broadcast spreader.
Broadcast spreaders generally work better on larger lawns and spray out fertilizer in a fan-like motion. On the other hand, drop spreaders spray out fertilizer in an arc and cover less area. Consequently, they are better for smaller lawns with fewer surfaces to cover.
1. Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Scotts is a company selling high-quality lawn care and maintenance products. The brand not only sells a lot of products, but also educates users about lawn basics, weed control methods, ways to deal with lawn problems, and similar topics on their website blog. This drop spreader is one of their top sellers and has the following features:
- Coverage
The Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader is perfect for smaller lawns which have an area of up to 5000 square feet. It can be used to apply fertilizers in narrow places such as landscaped areas or tight curves. Therefore, it is ideal for anyone with a medium-sized lawn who needs an incredibly precise application.
- Capacity
While it can cover about 5000 square feet, the Scotts Turf Builder has the capacity to store 10,000 square feet worth of fertilizer. Hence, you will not be forced to pause because your spreader ran out of fertilizer. You can easily complete the task with plenty of fertilizer to spare.
- Evenness of Spread
Another thing to consider while buying a fertilizer spreader is the evenness of the spread. You do not want a fertilizer spreader that gives a sloppy, uneven application.
The Scotts Turf Builder is a fertilizer spreader which offers highly accurate application. It has a 22-inch spread pattern to maximize coverage and the precision of the tool.
Pros:
- Comes fully assembled
- Very affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy to use
- Sturdy
Cons:
- Handle gets jammed sometimes
- Fertilizer builds up inside the wheels over time
2. Brinly BS36BH Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader
Brinly Hardy Co. has been a garden equipment manufacturer since 1839. With more than 170 years of experience, Brinly is unsurprisingly a global leader in lawn care products. The Brinly BS36BH Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader is one of their more popular products.
This broadcast spreader works to give you easy calibration, allowing you to have a sturdy and secure grip on the rate-gate settings. The rate-gate dial comes with pre-calibrated settings so you can just choose the one you want. Here are its other features:
- Coverage
If you are looking for a fertilizer spreader which works for larger chunks of land, this is the one for you. The Brinly BS36BH works on yards spreading over one acre or more. For example, if you have a small field or a large vegetable garden, you can easily utilize this tool.
Some types of garden equipment corrode after coming into contact with fertilizer. This is not the case with the Brinly BS36BH because all parts that come into direct contact with the fertilizer are made of heavy polythene hopper, a highly durable plastic.
- Capacity
The Brinly BS36BH fertilizer spreader has a very high capacity as it can store more than 175 pounds of fertilizer. Additionally, it can hold seeds, ice melts, and other lawn products. Consequently, you can use the spreader for multiple things, including seeding and pest control.
- Evenness of Spread
This fertilizer spreader delivers high-performance results with its patented autoflow. You have more control and directional stability, so you can deliver precise applications in less time. You get done so much quicker yet still manage to get a nice, even spread.
Pros:
- Rust and dent proof
- Easy to set up
- Two-year warranty
- Great customer service
- Step-by-step instructions
Cons:
- Slightly expensive
- Too flat bottom spreader
3. Chapin International 8620B Tow Behind Spreader
This spreader is made by Chapin International, which is a USA-based company founded in 1884. They sell strong, reliable products, including spreaders, sprayers, and replacement parts such as pumps and pistons.
As an example, the Chapin International 8620B spreader is a high-quality gardening tool. At the same time, it is very easy to use for the average gardener. Here are its key features:
- Coverage
The 14-inch widespread pneumatic tires give the device extra space coverage. The Chapin 8620B can cover approximately 12 to 18 feet of land at a time, which is why it is an ideal device for people with large to medium-sized lawns.
Using this in a medium-sized lawn saves you much time and energy as you can get the task done more quickly.
- Capacity
In total, the Chapin International 8620B spreader can store 150 pounds of fertilizer at a time. Additionally, you do not have to worry about any of your fertilizer being wasted.
The Chapin 8620B comes with an autostop option, which consists of a dual impeller. The dual impeller stops spreading when the tool is brought to a stop.
- Evenness of Spread
This spreader has two features which allow it to spread fertilizer evenly. Firstly, the gate adjustment has 11 different incremental settings so that you can apply the fertilizer more accurately.
Secondly, the bronze bearings on the spreader are infused with oil, so there is less friction between the axle and gearbox. This gives you more control over the handles and the application.
Pros:
- Product registration available
- Helpful customer support
- User manual included
- High value for money
- Very durable
Cons:
- Relatively expensive
- Heavy
The Final Verdict
Simply put, the items on this list are the best fertilizer spreaders because of the high-quality application they provide. They tick the boxes for capacity, evenness, durability, and user-friendliness. However, our top recommendation is the Scotts Turf Builder.
Unless you have a larger area to cover, this fertilizer spreader is perfect. It is budget-friendly and provides precise application. Moreover, it is easy to put together and makes gardening a far more efficient process.