Top 7 Fertilizer Spreaders for Your Lawn and Garden in 2023 – Buying Guide

This push-along broadcast spreader by Scotts is useful for evenly spreading seed or fertilizer on large lawns, usually of around 5,000 sq ft in size and above. The substantial hopper holds up to 15,000 sq ft of lawn product, reducing the amount of time you will have to spend refilling the hopper.

This spreader will work with any granulated substance, including grass seed, fertilizer, and even salt to melt ice and snow on driveways. It comes fully assembled and pre-calibrated so you can get straight to work with no unnecessary time wasted.

Scotts promises more even coverage with this spreader, thanks to the control panel which allows you to precisely set the rate at which your product is released. The EdgeGuard technology prevents any product from getting spread onto non-lawn areas by blocking off the right side of the spreader when this feature is in use.

Users of this broadcast spreader are impressed with how lightweight and easy to push it is. Many users complained about the hollow wheels on the spreader, which filled up with product during use and crumbled out in lumps, causing problems on the lawn. Some users felt the spreader worked efficiently while others commented that it was poorly made.

This tow behind spreader has a hopper capacity of 130 lbs, which will cover around half an acre of land before needing to be refilled. The hopper is rustproof. A hopper cover is available to purchase separately to prevent the product from spilling out over bumps and to protect the product from natural elements.

The on-off switch can be activated from the tractor seat, and the gears are enclosed in a box for increased longevity. Adjustment settings mean the user can precisely choose the level of spread required for consistent and even coverage.

The wide wheelbase on the spreader and the pneumatic tires help to maintain stability on uneven terrain, and is recommended for lots of lands sized one acre and above.

Users of this product commented that assembly was particularly tough and instructions inadequate, with assembly frustratingly taking around two to three hours. That being said, users were happy with the build quality and the coverage offered by the spreader.

One repeating concern from users was the weak spring on the hopper handle, but this was considered to be a minor issue.

This extra large spreader is targeted at gardeners with substantial areas of land to cover. The hopper holds up to 175 lbs of product, giving it the ability to spread over at least one acre of land without needing to be refilled.

Fitted with a universal hook, the spreader can be attached to the back of any tractor or ride-on mower and towed behind. The patented Directional Spread feature ensures an even spread coverage with extra wide patterns spreading at maximum widths, reducing the number of lengths you need to drive.

Suitable for use in all seasons, this proudly American made spreader can be used with any granular product, including fertilizer, lawn seed, lime, salt, and ice melting agents. At 47 lbs, this is a solid piece of equipment with a fully enclosed gearbox to avoid corrosion and stand the test of time.

Users of this spreader were most impressed with the solid build and quality workmanship. They were confident that it would last many years and were generally happy with the spreading coverage achieved.

The majority of users were pleasantly surprised with the easy to understand assembly instructions, with product assembly taking around an hour on average. The large capacity and sturdy build of this tow-along spreader meant that most users would happily recommend this product.

This push-along spreader features an adjustable handle for varying heights and positions to suit any user and minimize back or shoulder pain. With a 50 lb capacity drum, the spreader gives even coverage of seed, fertilizer, ice melt, insecticide, and herbicides.

Constructed mainly of steel, this sturdy spreader is almost indestructible, with a high-quality gearbox and durable axle. The 13-inch tires make this spreader easy to push, giving the user the ability to complete lawn product spreading efficiently. The tires are wide and filled with air, which makes them much gentler on soft surfaces than some other spreaders that can leave unsightly wheel marks on lawns.

Users of this spreader love how durable it is, and how even the spread coverage is. They were also impressed with the included hopper cover, which protects the product from troublesome weather.

Users of this product overwhelmingly agreed that the assembly instructions were impossible to follow, making assembly very difficult. It is recommended that anyone purchasing this spreader look online for tutorial assembly videos to help the build process.

This product is Scotts smallest walk behind spreader, designed to make spreading lawn products quick and easy for even smaller yards. Able to hold up to 5,000 sq ft of granulated products, this spreader is ideal for anyone who has a compact yard but still wants precise and even coverage. It also works well for spreading ice melt on paths and driveways.

Featuring exclusive EdgeGuard technology, the right side of the spreader is obstructed to prevent products from reaching non-lawn areas where they are not wanted. The control panel also helps to ensure coverage accuracy.

Some users of this spreader were disappointed with the build quality, commenting that it was manufactured with insubstantial materials and that they would not be expected to last very long. Some users also noted that although the spreader was lightweight and easy to push, the light frame and the angle of it meant that it easily tipped over.

Users were happy with the EdgeGuard technology, though noticed that it was more difficult to operate than the larger versions of this Scotts spreader.

This battery powered handheld spreader is designed to cover areas of up to 2,500 sq ft. It has a five-foot spreading range and benefits from EdgeGuard technology, allowing you to shut off one side of the spreader to prevent lawn products from getting onto paths or flower beds.

Suitable for year-round use, this spreader is compatible with fertilizer, lawn seed, pesticide, and snow melt. At 2.1 lbs, this lightweight spreader is easy to carry and makes quick work of a previously grueling task.

Users love the simplicity of this spreader and how well the design has been executed. Users commented that they experienced no clogging of product. They said the spreader was easy to hold and carry and that all of the features worked as they should. Some users were also impressed that 3AA batteries were included and pre-installed with the purchase, though noted that rechargeable batteries would have been preferable.

Some users believed that this was a good compromise between a manually operated hand-held spreader, which can be too much physical work, and a walk behind spreader, which can be overkill for a smaller property. Users reported that this product spread evenly and effortlessly.

This spreader is worn as a shoulder bag and manually operated by spinning a rotating lever. Clumping is prevented due to an oscillating shut off the plate while the gearbox ensures smooth and even spread.

Able to hold up to 25 lbs of product, the bag features a zip closure and a molded base. The adjustable shoulder strap allows the length to be customized to fit any user.

Users of this product generally agree that it does its job well. The product doesn’t clog; The seeds are spread evenly, and it is easy to operate.

Some users claimed that it was the best spreader they had ever tried, appreciating the ability to spread at your own pace with the height from the ground increasing the distance that seed could travel before hitting the ground. Several users did experience a poorly designed shoulder strap, which broke after only a few uses. They found this disappointing because the other components of the spreader worked so well.