How Do Lawn Spreaders Work? How Do You Clean A Fertilizer Spreader?

Considering getting a lawn spreader? Want to know how it will benefit you? A lawn spreader helps you increase the growth of lawn or other plants, reduces the dependency on manual labor, and applies the correct amount of fertilizer.

How do lawn spreaders work?

Lawn spreaders are of two types: drop lawn spreaders and broadcast lawn spreaders. Drop lawn spreaders are perfect for applying fertilizer in a particular area accurately. If you have a huge yard, choosing a broadcast lawn spreader is better for ideal coverage.

How Do Lawn Spreaders Work?

So, you are here to know how do lawn spreaders work? Lawn spreaders mainly help you disperse fertilizers or grass seeds evenly on your yard or lawn. Though drop lawn spreader and broadcast lawn spread have a similar mechanism, they function differently.

Broadcast Lawn Spreader

With a broadcast lawn spreader, you spread granule materials fin various ways. You walk behind the machine to disperse fertilizers or grass seeds efficiently and quickly. It features a shield to prevent fertilizers from coming backside.

Broadcast lawn spreaders are a better option if your garden is huge where you want to distribute a large amount of fertilizer. You can pre-set from the dial option about the amount of fertilizer you want to release.

However, how fast it will spread fertilizer depends on your walking speed. Since it is a walk-behind spreader, you want to walk fast to disperse fertilizer quickly.

Drop Lawn Spreader

Drop lawn spreaders function a little differently than broadcast lawn spreaders. Their spreading system involves between the two wheels of this garden tool. Fertilizers or grass seeds are dropped between these two wheels.

Often gardeners want to release fertilizers in a particular direction or spots. In such cases, drop lawn spreaders are effective in preventing wasting fertilizers.

Additionally, you will achieve a constant speed to drop granular products regardless of your walking speed. This feature is different from broadcast lawn spreaders.

So, what could be the best real-life example of using a drop lawn spreader? Dropping fertilizer on driveways or sidewalks is a perfect example of using this machine. Here you will apply fertilizer in a limited space instead of a full area.

Can I Use Both Liquid And Granules In My Fertilizer Spreader?

Liquid and granule fertilizers are effective in boosting your lawn growth. They include various nutrition to provide your lawn all the essential nutrition your lawn needs.

Can I use both liquid and granules in my fertilizer spreader?

You can use liquid and granules in your fertilizer spreader separately, not together. Using both of them simultaneously will be overdoing. Applying one of them is better at a time as plants need a standard quantity of nutrients.

If you want to use both of them together, check out the product description to spread an accurate amount. Over-fertilizing in a particular area may burn the soil too.

However, some modern lawn spreaders are already introduced in the market, which allows you to use both items simultaneously. Make sure you choose the right settings to spread fertilizers correctly.

Do I Need A Fertilizer Spreader For My Garden?

How big is your garden: small, medium, or huge? Having a medium or huge garden means you want to apply a considerable amount of fertilizer.

Without a fertilizer spreader, it wills several hours to end the task. Most importantly, you are more likely to disperse them unevenly. It will cause damage to your lawn or any plants due to the unbalanced fertilizer application.

A fertilizer spreader will make your task trouble-free, fast, and accurate. This gardening tool is available in various sizes and capacities. You want first to decide your gardening requirements and then choose one based on it.

Using the right tool will ensure proper and balanced fertilizer distribution. As a result, your lawn or plants will grow fast with sufficient nutrition.

How Do You Clean A Fertilizer Spreader?

Various types of dust and grimes may be accumulated on the fertilizer spreaders after using them. You want to keep it super clean to make it usable for the next usage.

If you do it the right way, cleaning a fertilizer spreader does not cause any issues. Here is the step-by-step method you want to follow to learn about “How do you clean a fertilizer spreader?”

Step 1 —Rinsing The Spreader

First of all, you want to rinse the machine. Otherwise, fertilizers’ residue and other things will accumulate inside it. Plus, when you do it for a long time, you won’t be able to disperse fertilizers or grass seeds effectively.

Step 2 —Washing & Drying The Spreader

Only rinsing won’t allow you to remove all unwanted surface materials. After rinsing it, you want to wash off all the tough dust and dirt from it. Wash gently. It is a long-lasting investment, so you want to treat it carefully.

Step 3 —Lubricating The Spreader

Lubricating improves your machine functionality. Use a grease gun to lubricate various metal parts of the machine by adding grease inside the zerk fittings. Using a grease gun gives you several benefits, such as removing water from them.

However, if your machine doesn’t feature any zerk fittings, manually spray grease on various parts. Avoid spraying on unnecessary components.

Step 4 —Giving Final Touch

Rust may build up on the various parts of the spreader. That’s why you want to use some WD-40 or similar solutions on the stainless steel. Before applying the sealant, make sure nothing is left on the surface.

Additionally, airing up your pneumatic wheels after this is a general rule of thumb. However, if you have different spreader tires, you don’t need to do it.

That’s all the steps you want to follow to have a clear idea on “How do you clean a fertilizer spreader?”

How Do You Use A Fertilizer Spreader?

A fertilizer spreader is a perfect option to disperse fertilizer or grass seeds. Have you purchased this machine recently, or thinking of buying it? If yes, knowing how to use a fertilizer spreader is essential. Let’s learn them step-by-step.

Step 1—Choosing The Right Fertilizer

Your first task is to select the right type of fertilizer based on your plants. Choosing a high-quality fertilizer allows you to ensure the optimal growth of your lawn or other plants. Make sure it is compatible with your grass or other plants.

Step 2 —Calculating Lawn Size Or Yard Area

Your next task is to determine the area size of your lawn or yard where you want to apply the fertilizer. Doing this is trouble-free. You just want to know the total length and width of the particular area and multiply numbers.

For instance, your yard area has a 14-meter length and 11-meter width. So the total area will be 154 square meters.

Step 3 —Adding Fertilizer

Before adding fertilizer to the container, you want to keep the machine on a flat surface, such as a driveway or a pathway. It will prevent unnecessary movements—also, no product spilling.

Check out the product instruction details to learn the amount of fertilizer you need to apply. You should look at the dispersal rate, which ranges from 1 to 10. Choose a particular rate based on the recommendation.

Step 4 —Spreading Fertilizer

Start spreading fertilizer by pushing the handle. Make sure you begin the procedure a few steps backward from the edge. Slowly and constantly disperse the product. After reaching the other side of the border, stop pushing the handle.

Now, you want to go to the start point again. So, why apply two times? You might be missing out on a few portions of the area. The second time will cover those points. If you want to spread fertilizer for a particular area only, you can choose a drop lawn spreader.

That’s all the steps you will go through if you wonder about “How do you use a fertilizer spreader?”

What About A Behind Tow Spreader?

Most fertilizer spreaders have a handle or push mechanism, allowing gardeners to move it or walk behind the machine.

However, an uncommon spreader named, Behind Tow Spreader. This type of spreader is mainly operated from the back by attaching it with a tractor or rider.

Since it is operated while keeping it back, you should never miss out on the following points.

• Powdered chemicals should be used on this type of spreader. You won’t achieve a fan-shaped pattern for fertilizer distribution.
• There is a hole for the bracket of your rider or tractor. You need to enter one small metal rod (hitch pin) inside the hole.
• Make sure you know the right amount of fertilizer you need to add to the spreader container.
• Keeping the spreader switch-off is necessary when you are not using or turning it. It prevents unnecessary spreading.

Let’s look at the price of various types of lawn spreaders:

Conclusion

Are you still wondering about “How do lawn spreaders work?” A lawn spreader is an essential gardening tool for any regular gardener. By spreading enough fertilizer or grass seeds evenly, you ensure the proper growth of your lawn or other plants. Don’t forget to take care of this machine to ensure long-lasting durability.

Last update on 2023-01-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API