To spread fertilizer effectively, you typically use specialized tools like spreaders for granular products or sprayers for liquid formulations. For lawn fertilizers, it is crucial to always use a lawn spreader to ensure even distribution and prevent damage, as spreading by hand is not recommended.
Essential Tools for Spreading Fertilizer
Applying fertilizer accurately is key to nurturing healthy plants and lush lawns. The right tool ensures even coverage, prevents waste, and minimizes the risk of over-fertilization.
Types of Fertilizer Spreaders
Choosing the correct spreader depends on the size of the area, the type of fertilizer, and the desired precision.
1. Broadcast Spreader (Rotary Spreader)
A broadcast spreader uses a spinning plate to cast granular fertilizer in a wide arc. This makes it ideal for covering large areas quickly and efficiently, such as expansive lawns or gardens.
- Best Use: Large lawns, general garden areas.
- Key Features: Wide coverage, fast application. Many models designed for lawns include a side-shield feature (like EdgeGuard®) that prevents fertilizer from being thrown onto sidewalks, driveways, or garden beds, keeping it precisely where it's needed.
- Pros: Time-saving for large spaces, generally good for even coverage with proper technique.
- Cons: Less precise around obstacles or garden beds without a side-shield; can lead to uneven application if not operated correctly.
2. Drop Spreader
Drop spreaders release granular fertilizer directly underneath the hopper in a controlled, narrow band. This offers superior precision, making them perfect for smaller lawns, areas near flower beds, or when you need exact application.
- Best Use: Small to medium lawns, gardens with defined edges, precise application around landscaping.
- Key Features: Exact application width, minimal scatter.
- Pros: Excellent precision, prevents fertilizer from landing on unwanted surfaces, good for stripe-free application.
- Cons: Slower application process, requires more passes for large areas, visible lines if overlap isn't consistent.
3. Hand Spreader (Hand-Held Shaker)
Hand spreaders are small, portable devices used for applying fertilizer to very small areas, for spot treatment, or for spreading granular products in tight spaces where larger spreaders cannot reach.
- Best Use: Small garden beds, flower pots, spot treatments for weeds, distributing grass seed in small patches.
- Key Features: Lightweight, easy to maneuver in confined spaces.
- Pros: Convenient for small jobs, inexpensive.
- Cons: Can be difficult to achieve uniform coverage, never spread lawn fertilizer product by hand for larger areas as it leads to uneven distribution and potential burning.
4. Liquid Sprayer
For liquid fertilizers, a sprayer is the appropriate tool. These can range from small pump sprayers for container plants to hose-end sprayers for lawns, which mix concentrated fertilizer with water directly from your garden hose.
- Best Use: Applying liquid feed to foliage (foliar feeding), targeted nutrient delivery, pest control mixed with fertilizer.
- Key Features: Delivers nutrients quickly, can be combined with other liquid treatments.
- Pros: Immediate nutrient availability, even coverage, easy to apply to plant leaves.
- Cons: Requires frequent reapplication, can be washed away by rain quickly, needs careful measurement for dilution.
Choosing the Right Fertilizer Spreader
| Spreader Type | Best Use | Key Feature/Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast/Rotary | Large lawns, open garden areas | Wide coverage, efficient for big spaces (look for side-shield for lawns) |
| Drop Spreader | Small to medium lawns, precision near beds | Exact application, minimal scatter, avoids sidewalks |
| Hand Spreader | Small areas, spot treatment, pots | Highly portable, good for tight spaces (not for large lawn areas) |
| Liquid Sprayer | Applying liquid fertilizers, foliar feeding | Quick nutrient absorption, good for targeted foliar application |
Step-by-Step Guide to Spreading Granular Fertilizer
Applying granular fertilizer correctly ensures your plants receive the nutrients they need without waste or harm.
1. Preparation
- Read Instructions: Always consult the fertilizer product label for specific application rates, safety precautions, and timing recommendations.
- Calibrate Your Spreader: Refer to your spreader's manual and the fertilizer bag for the correct setting. An improperly calibrated spreader can lead to over or under-fertilization. Many fertilizer bags provide specific settings for common spreader brands.
- Wear Protective Gear: Put on gloves, safety glasses, and long sleeves/pants to protect your skin and eyes from fertilizer chemicals.
- Clear the Area: Remove any obstacles like toys, garden tools, or furniture from the application zone.
2. Application Techniques
- Fill Away From the Lawn/Garden: Load your spreader on a hard surface like a driveway or patio. This allows you to easily sweep up any spills, preventing concentrated fertilizer from burning your grass or plants.
- Start with Edges: For broadcast spreaders, begin by applying a header strip around the perimeter of the area. This helps prevent missed spots and provides a buffer. For drop spreaders, align your first pass precisely along an edge.
- Consistent Pace: Walk at a steady, consistent pace to ensure an even distribution. If you slow down or speed up, the application rate will change.
- Overlap Correctly:
- Broadcast Spreader: Overlap each pass slightly (typically 6-12 inches, or about 2-3 feet on a 6-foot spread) to avoid streaking and ensure full coverage. Many newer broadcast spreaders feature a side-shield (like the EdgeGuard® feature) that helps to create a precise edge, preventing fertilizer from spreading into unwanted areas like driveways or garden beds.
- Drop Spreader: Butt each new pass directly next to the previous one, ensuring no gaps or excessive overlap.
- Never Spread by Hand for Lawns: As a general rule for lawns, always use a lawn spreader. Manually spreading granular products for a lawn will almost always result in uneven distribution, leading to patchy growth or burnt spots.
- Close Spreader When Turning: When you reach the end of a pass and turn around, close the spreader gate to stop the flow of fertilizer. Reopen it once you begin your next straight pass.
3. Post-Application
- Sweep Up Spills: Sweep any granular fertilizer that landed on sidewalks, driveways, or patios back onto the lawn or into the garden. This prevents runoff into storm drains and protects hard surfaces from staining.
- Water In (If Recommended): Many granular fertilizers should be watered in immediately after application. This helps move the nutrients into the soil where roots can access them and prevents "burning" the grass or plants, especially in hot weather.
- Clean Your Spreader: After each use, thoroughly clean your spreader with water to remove any residual fertilizer. This prevents corrosion and ensures the spreader functions properly for future applications. Allow it to dry completely before storing.
Spreading Liquid Fertilizer
Liquid fertilizers are typically applied using a hose-end sprayer, which attaches to your garden hose, or a pump sprayer for more targeted applications.
- Dilute Correctly: Mix the concentrated liquid fertilizer with water according to the product label's instructions. Incorrect dilution can harm plants.
- Apply Evenly: Spray the solution evenly over the target area. For foliar feeding, ensure both the tops and bottoms of leaves are lightly coated. For soil application, aim for uniform coverage over the soil surface.
- Monitor Runoff: Avoid over-spraying to the point of runoff, which wastes fertilizer and can pollute waterways.
General Tips for Effective Fertilizer Application
- Timing is Key: Apply fertilizer at the correct time of year for your plants or lawn type. Cool-season grasses benefit from fall and spring applications, while warm-season grasses thrive with late spring and summer feeding.
- Don't Over-Fertilize: More is not better. Excessive fertilizer can burn plants, pollute groundwater, and promote weak growth. Stick to the recommended application rates.
- Soil Testing: Consider a soil test every few years to determine your soil's specific nutrient deficiencies and pH level. This helps you choose the right type of fertilizer and avoid applying unnecessary nutrients.
- Safety First: Always store fertilizers in their original containers, out of reach of children and pets. Follow all safety warnings on the product label.
