Lawn fertilizer spreaders are used to help evenly distribute your lawn fertilizer. If your fertilizer is not spread evenly across the lawn you can easily over fertilize and area. In addition to burning your lawn in the places that receive too much fertilizer, you can also deprive the areas you missed.
The two main lawn fertilizer spreaders are the broadcast spreader, and the drop spreader. The broadcast spreader is usually has a hopper where the fertilizer is placed. The fertilizer is then dropped from the hopper via a mechanical trap door onto a spreader. The spreader is a rotary device that catches the fertilizer from the hopper and spreads it in an even blast onto your lawn. Broadcast spreaders are the popular choice because of their ease of use. Basically you can just make an adjustment of a dial (directions on dial setting usually come on the fertilizer) to set the broadcast type and then proceed to walk your lawn.
The second type of lawn fertilizer spreaders is the drop spreader. The drop spreader is a very precise type of spreader. Its size and body design is almost the same as the broadcaster; the only difference is the distribution type. While the broadcast spreader basically flings the fertilizer out in a semi controlled fashion, the drop spread just drops it. The drop spreader just dumps the fertilizer at a controlled amount directly onto the lawn. This is a good way to fertilize small lawns or one where precise placement is necessary. If you have a lot of flower beads or perhaps next to a neighbor’s lawn, the drop spreader may be your choice. The drop spreader is harder to use because the path must be precise.
Often time’s new users will over fertilize an area of their lawn and cause what is known as striping. Striping is exactly what it sounds like, you will actually have stripes from the over fertilized lawn. Not only is using lawn fertilizer spreaders easier, they are also safer than distributing it by hand. Making skin contact with most fertilizer is dangerous and should be avoided at all costs. Fertilizers can contain harmful chemicals that can cause serious health issues if not handled properly.