These Are the Best Fertilizer Spreaders to Keep Your Garden Green (2024)

Our Top Picks

With a large coverage area and easy operation, the Scotts Elite Spreader takes our top spot. It can hold up to 20,000 square feet (larger than a hockey rink) of lawn product, making it a solid choice for midsize yards. Also, the Scotts Elite Spreader is for year-round use: In addition to spreading seed and fertilizer, it comes in handy for spreading rock salt and ice melt in the wintertime.

This spreader's handle also folds down for compact storage in your garage or outdoor shed. Since it arrives pre-assembled, we like that you only need to snap on the wheels and unfold the handle. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to maneuver, and the product is equipped with a smartphone holder, so you can watch your favorite videos while tending to your lawn.

Thanks to dual-rotor technology, the Scotts Elite Spreader can distribute products twice as fast as others, allowing you to cover a large area in minimal time. What’s more, it spreads product evenly on a 6-foot path for accurate coverage. However, stripes may appear on your lawn since the rotary spreader discharges in a line.

The soft plastic wheels roll smoothly on most terrain, and they’re filled with foam, which means they never go flat. While this may cause some little annoyance, it certainly won't be a dealbreaker. This small flaw is more than compensated for by the product's other features.

_{Type: Walk-behind, rotary | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 20.07 x 23.63 x 23.31 inches | Coverage Area: 20,000 square feet | Weight: 19.75 pounds}

At under $50, the Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader is ideal for light-duty jobs. The walk-behind fertilizer spreader holds up to 5,000 square feet (about the size of a basketball court) of lawn product, which is a quarter of the coverage of our best overall pick, the Scotts Elite Spreader.

Like our top pick, this one is also equipped with a fold-down handle, which makes this compact spreader easy to store. At just 10 pounds, its lightweight and easy-to-maneuver frame is comfortable to push around your yard for an extended period.The EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader is suitable for spreading seed, fertilizer, ice melt, and more, but it’s not to be used with rock salt.

For accurate coverage, a control dial allows you to select the appropriate setting for the material they’re spreading. A curved hopper (the barrel of the spreader) and dual-bladed agitator helps smooth application and make coverage more consistent.

This unit features EdgeGuard Technology, which prevents lawn products from being spread onto driveways, sidewalks, and landscaping. For added convenience, this spreader comes pre-calibrated and fully assembled. The only downside is the hard plastic wheels, which don’t perform as well as air-filled tires on varying terrain. They don’t roll as smoothly on uneven ground and can block the spread of the product.

_{Type: Walk-behind, rotary | Material: Metal | Dimensions: 45.25 x 20 x 16 inches | Coverage Area: 5,000 square feet | Weight: 10.67 pounds}

Thanks to a flow control with adjustable stop on this push broadcast spreader from Agri-Fab, you can apply a precise amount of product to your lawn. Its wide, 12-foot spread pattern helps ensure efficient and uniform coverage, and its 130-pound capacity makes it ideal for yards up to 1 acre (you will have to refill it once to cover a 1-acre lawn).

“It is imperative to use a large spreader to evenly place fertilizers and various other treatments on the lawn and landscape,” says Melissa Lallo Johnson, a master gardener based in Kansas City, Missouri. The product is intended for year-round operation, so you can spread lawn products in warmer months, and ice melt in wintertime.

We especially like that the walk-behind spreader features large pneumatic tires, which are easy to maneuver and provide a smooth ride, even over rough terrain, unlike our best overall and best budget pick.Plus, the enclosed commercial-grade gearbox features aluminum beveled gears, which prevents clogs.

This unit requires assembly and needs to be calibrated. (Assembly is straightforward and should take about an hour or so.) Although it's more expensive than most of the other fertilizer spreaders on our list, this one is the best bet if you have a really large lawn. Also, if you encounter any defects, the product is backed by a 3-year warranty if you’re not fully satisfied.

_{Type: Walk-behind, rotary | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 33.62 x 27.12 x 48 inches | Coverage Area: 21,780 square feet (0.5 acres) | Weight: 35 pounds}

We think the Scotts Classic Drop Spreader is ideal for properties with plant beds, tree rings, and other heavily landscaped areas that require precise application. Its large-capacity hopper can hold up to 10,000 square feet (roughly larger than two regulation basketball courts) of lawn product.

With a 22-inch spread pattern, the Classic Drop Spreader delivers superb coverage and accuracy; plus, a gate control on the handle allows you to adjust the flow rate. (Just note that it is only designed to be used for seed and fertilizer.)

While the tubular frame is sturdy, the other components are constructed of lightweight plastic and may give the impression of being flimsy. Nonetheless, the device comes fully assembled and calibrated.Like other basic spreaders in Scotts’ lineup, it has hard plastic wheels that struggle on uneven terrain. If it breaks over time, you can take advantage of Scotts’ “No-Quibble” guarantee: If you are not satisfied with your purchase, they will issue a refund or provide a replacement. (Proof of purchase is required.)

_{Type: Walk-behind, drop | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 47 x 32 x 18 inches | Coverage Area: 10,000 square feet | Weight: 12.6 pounds}

We love that this commercial-grade spreader from Earthway has several heavy-duty components and convenient features. For example, the rustproof poly hopper, which has a 50-pound capacity, is ideal for yards up to an acre in size.

A patented three-hole drop system spreads fertilizer, salt, or seed evenly, and side-spread control allows for precise application. And, thanks to a fully enclosed gearbox, you don’t have to worry about clogged or blocked drop holes.This walk-behind spreader also features an adjustable handle, with two height positions for comfortable operation.

The wide, 13-inch pneumatic (air-filled) tires roll smoothly on any terrain, and they should not go flat. Plus, the sturdy frame improves stability in rugged conditions, and the spreader has an impressive 175-pound load-bearing capacity. If you're experienced with mechanics, you could likely assemble this product with little trouble, but it is time-consuming.

_{Type: Walk-behind, rotary | Material: Plastic | Dimensions: 23.63 x 14.5 x 15.75 inches | Coverage Area: 43,560 square feet (1 acre) | Weight: 27 pounds}

The Scotts Wizz spreader is our best pick for handheld fertilizer spreader for yards under 2,500 square feet. We love that its compact and lightweight design make it convenient to carry and store. Thanks to its smooth handle, it’s also comfortable to hold for an extended period. We also think this 2-pound spreader is especially great for smaller yards and hard-to-reach grass areas.Best of all, it uses four AA batteries, so you won't have to worry about tiring out your arm and wrist to crank it.

This unit arrives assembled and ready to use. Plus, it's easy to operate: All you need to do is fill the hopper, and turn the dial to the setting you desire (there are 23 to choose from). Another advantage is it’s made of plastic, so you don't have to worry about fertilizer, ice melt, and other materials corroding it—a common concern with metal fertilizer spreaders.

Just know that this spreader clogs easily, but it is covered by Scotts' “No-Quibble” guarantee.

_{Type: Handheld | Material: Poly | Dimensions: 23.25 x 7.75 x 19.25 inches | Coverage Area: 2,500 square feet | Weight: 2.1 pounds}

The Agri-Fab 130-Pound Tow Behind Broadcast Spreader can be hitched to a lawn tractor, riding lawn mower, tractor, or other vehicle to spread product over large-acreage lawns. With a universal hitch, it attaches easily to any vehicle of your choice. Its heavy-duty hopper has a 130-pound capacity and a spread pattern of 10 to 12 feet.

Thanks to four 13-inch pneumatic wheels, it’s incredibly stable and easy to maneuver, even on curves and uneven ground. You can use this pull-behind spreader to apply seed, fertilizer, herbicide, ice melt, and more. The steel flow-control arm of this product enables accurate setting adjustments for uniform distribution.

However, maneuvering the lever located behind the driver from a mower seat can be a bit awkward. The enclosed gearbox ensures the prevention of clogs and other malfunctions. It is worth noting that this product needs assembly, which may be tedious and time-consuming due to its numerous parts.

_{Type: Pull-behind, rotary | Material: Plastic hopper | Dimensions: 31.5 x 27.13 x 46 inches | Coverage Area: 21,780 square feet (0.5 acres) | Weight: 37 pounds}

Rather not pull out an entire contraption for taking care of small spots on your lawn? We understand completely! That's why we love this multipurpose shaker for convenience. It holds 64 ounces and is built with a nice handle, so it's great for quick pick-me-ups wherever you might need it.

Similar to a canister of parmesan cheese with a twist screw lid, this hand-held shaker comes with three different openings: full, large, and small. That way you can dispense the correct amount of seed, fertilizer, or salt that you need in an instant. Weighing less than a pound, we also love that this container is absolutely portable, and you can store it on a garage shelf and grab it in a jiffy. And at less than $12, we think it's a total bargain, too!

_{Type: Handheld | Material: Poly | Dimensions: 17 x 12 x 13 inches | Coverage Area: Not listed | Weight: 11.2 ounces}

Most garden experts advise aerating your lawn before fertilizing because this enables the soil to ingest additional oxygen and nutrients. For most yards, this task takes about an hour with an aerator—longer if you have a large green space. But if you have a mammoth space that needs fertilizing, we recommend the Brinly AS2-40BH to aerate your soil while dispensing fertilizer. As you tow the product with a tractor or riding mower containing a hitch plate, the 132 three-dimensional galvanized steel tines bore holes in the soil.

This particular product is specifically created to accommodate larger areas. On one end of the all-steel container, it can hold up to 100 pounds of either fertilizer or seed, which is sufficient to cover a field the same size as a football field. You have the ability to regulate the disbursem*nt rate by using the adjustable flow control.

Obviously, this product is best used in oversized yards, which require the use of a riding mower or tractor. If your home has that much green space to fertilize, and you wish to cut down the time needed to do it, you may wish to consider this rather expensive product.

_{Type: Tow, combination aerator-fertilizer | Material: Steel | Dimensions: 37.5 x 55 x 18 inches | Coverage Area: Up to 50,000 square feet | Weight: 63 pounds}

Final Verdict

FAQ

• What is a pre-calibrated fertilizer spreader?

  Fertilizer spreaders that are pre-calibrated take the guess work out of calculating how much product should be distributed over a particular area, over a set amount of time and space. If this is not done, you risk applying too little fertilizer or worse, applying too much, resulting in a burned-out lawn. Calibrating is a rather complicated process that involves determining how much fertilizer you need to cover 100 square feet, adding this material to the spreader, and testing it over a prescribed distance. You need to do this for each uncalibrated spreader you use, and for each type of material you spread with the product, since each material broadcasts differently. Unless you feel confident to do this, we recommend purchasing a fertilizer spreader that comes pre-calibrated.

• What do the numbers on a fertilizer spreader mean?

  The numbers on a fertilizer spreader reflect the different rates of product distribution over as specific area. This is important because broadcasting the proper amount of fertilizer ensures that your lawn gets just what it needs and not too little. Too little product will be ineffective, and too much product can "burn out" patches. (These appear as brown spots where the product overlapped too much and killed part of a lawn). When shopping for a fertilizer spreader, make sure you can easily read these numbers, which most products display as sliding bars (though we have seen products with dials instead). Correlate these numbers with the product's nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium percentages (NPK), listed on the fertilizer bag.

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