Best Drop Spreaders: Top 6 Picks of 2023

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Are you looking for a reliable drop spreader to get your garden ready for the season? Look no further than these top 6 picks of 2023.

Whether you need to fertilize a lawn, weed out pesky plants from your garden bed, or prepare multiple acres of property, each one of these spreaders is built with quality in mind and designed to make sure that every inch gets covered evenly with whatever fertilizer or seed blend you choose.

From Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader all the way up to Lesco’s Drop Spreader – we’ll take an in-depth look at what makes each option stand out so that when it comes time for selecting yours, there won’t be any guesswork involved!

6 Best Drop Spreaders

The Scotts Turf Builder Classic, Spyker P70, Earthway Semi-Pneumatic, Hortem Garden, Agri-Fab Tow Spiker Seeder, and Lesco drop spreaders are the top options to perfectly distribute fertilizers, seeds, and treatments across your lawn with precision.

Ranging from affordable models for small yards to heavy-duty spreaders for large properties and commercial use, you’re sure to find a high-quality drop spreader to meet your lawn care needs from this list.

1. Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader

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With its lightweight yet sturdy frame, you’ll find this spreader’s 22-inch spread pattern gives your lawn even coverage for under $50. The Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader offers a calibrated, metal frame design that provides stability and a smooth, even spread.

The hopper can distribute enough product to cover a 10,000 square foot lawn, so it works for medium to large yards. Despite weighing only 12 pounds, this model feels sturdy while circulating fertilizer or grass seed across the ground.

With easy assembly right out of the box, the Turf Builder spreader enables homeowners to address lawn issues quickly.

2. Spyker P70 Commercial Drop Spreader

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Buddy, until the cows come home, the Spyker P70’s rugged construction withstands commercial use across all seasons. Its sturdy powder-coated steel frame and dual 120 lb hopper capacity make this drop spreader a workhorse ready for heavy spreading tasks.

The generously-sized 36 spread width allows you to efficiently cover more ground in less time. Whether you need to spread ice melt, sand, seed, fertilizer, or top dressing, this spreader can handle the job.

The 13 x 5 pneumatic wheels ensure a smooth ride over various surfaces while the split hopper lets you layer two materials at once.

While this rugged machine veers towards the pricier side, it provides reliable performance year-round for landscapers and groundskeepers managing anything from stadium turf to municipal parks. Some minor rusting around the handle requires keeping an eye out, but the P70 will keep you spreading strong when other consumer-grade models poop out.

3. Earthway Semi-Pneumatic Spreader 12 Inch

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You’ll get even coverage across medium yards with this lightweight Earthway drop spreader. The 12-inch broadcast spreader is ideal for distributing grass seed, fertilizer, and ice melt with minimal effort.

This spreader features a loop handle and pneumatic tires for smooth transport across lawns up to 6,000 square feet.

4. Hortem Garden Lawn Fertilizer Seed Spreader Set

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Next up, the Hortem spreader set’s adjustable dial lets you control the spread rate. This convenient feature gives you full command over product distribution. Simply turn the dial to one of ten settings to achieve your desired coverage area and amount dispersed.

Whether you need a light dusting or a heavier application, the adjustable spreader accommodates.

The included seed dispenser offers similar customization with its buckle pipe for height adjustment. Spreading lawn products is made easier with these changeable settings to match the needs of your grass and garden beds.

Some potential downsides include:

• Instructions for assembly are not very clear
• Quality issues reported – product may fall apart with use
• Small for larger lawns, better suited to average suburban yards

5. Agri Fab Tow Spiker Seeder Spreader

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For large yards, the Agri Fab Tow Spiker Seeder Spreader lets you aerate soil and spread in one pass. It has a 36-inch working width, an 8-gallon polypropylene hopper, and 8 galvanized steel spiking disks.

This tow-behind unit can penetrate, aerate, and distribute seed and fertilizer across up to 40,000 square feet per fill.

The steel lift handle provides height adjustment, while the 10 pneumatic tires ensure smooth transport across the lawn. This dual-purpose spreader is suitable for spring seeding and summer fertilizing, combining aeration and feeding to save time and labor.

Although assembly can be tricky, with proper maintenance, it gives long-lasting performance.

6. Lesco Drop Spreader

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If price and storage aren’t concerns for spreading fertilizer on your large spread, the Lesco Drop Spreader’s heavy-duty build’ll provide lasting performance. Its 60-pound weight and non-discontinued status indicate a sturdy construction capable of handling repeated residential use.

While assembly’s required, don’t expect clear directions, so patience and mechanical skills’ll help.

It’s meant for sizable yards, not small suburban plots, given its bulky profile. With proper upkeep, this spreader can serve faithfully for seasons to come. But lacking TLC may lead to quicker deterioration, so staying on top of maintenance is key.

What to Look for in a Drop Spreader

You’ll find that key factors like durability, capacity, ease of use, and versatility should guide your selection when shopping for a quality drop spreader.

1. Look for a durable metal frame that can withstand frequent use and rough terrain.
2. Consider the hopper capacity based on your lawn size. Larger yards need a spreader that holds more product.
3. Seek out easy calibration features and settings that allow you to customize the spread width and rate.
4. Opt for a model with pneumatic tires and a handle design that makes maneuvering smooth and comfortable.

When reviewing options, check customer feedback on assembly, performance consistency, and overall longevity. The right drop spreader suits your lawn care needs while delivering value through reliable service.

Sturdy construction and useful features ensure spreading accuracy for optimal grass health.

Liquid Vs. Granular Fertilizers – Which is Better for Lawns?

When comparing liquid vs. granular fertilizers for your lawn, you’ll find that liquid is absorbed faster while granular provides longer-lasting nutrition.

	Liquid Fertilizer	Granular Fertilizer
Absorption	Very fast	Moderate
Application	Sprayed evenly	Spread with a spreader
Leaching	Higher potential	Lower potential
Duration	Short term	Long term

Liquid fertilizers offer rapid greening and growth but require more frequent applications. Granular fertilizers provide a slow, steady release of nutrients over a longer period. Consider your lawn’s needs and maintenance preferences when deciding between liquid or granular.

Proper application of either can nourish grass and maintain a healthy, vibrant lawn.

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Fertilizer Spreader

When choosing the best fertilizer spreader for your lawn, consider both the spreader’s capacity and coverage area to ensure you can efficiently treat the entire lawn in one pass. Also, examine the spreader’s distribution width to ensure even coverage, as uneven fertilizer spreading can damage the grass.

Lastly, keep health considerations in mind when using fertilizers, as inappropriate application can lead to runoff into local waterways.

Spreader capacity and coverage.

Choose a model with enough hopper capacity to cover your entire lawn area in 1-2 passes without needing to stop and refill.

1. Coverage Capacity: Ensure the hopper can hold sufficient fertilizer to treat your lawn without constant refilling.

2. Spreader Durability: Look for sturdy construction to withstand regular use and outdoor conditions.

3. Fertilizer Distribution: Check for precision in application rates to promote even growth and lawn health.

4. Spreader Maintenance: Opt for a model that is easy to clean and maintain for long-lasting performance.

Spreader distribution width.

Consider the spreader’s path, spreading your care evenly across the landscape. The distribution width determines the swath of coverage for each pass. A wider swath reduces passes needed. Compare spreader distribution widths to evaluate capacity and efficiency for your lawn size and shape.

However, a wider spread may compromise application uniformity. Find the ideal width for your lawn.

Here is a comparison of common spreader distribution widths:

Spreader Type	Typical Distribution Width
Handheld	1-3 feet
Push	3-8 feet
Tow-behind	8-15 feet
Tractor mounted	10-20 feet

Select an appropriate width for efficiency without sacrificing precision. Proper spreader selection and use encourages lawn success.

Health considerations when fertilizing

You’ll reduce health risks when spreading less fertilizer across your lawn and garden. Wear gloves and long sleeves when using fertilizers. Avoid breathing in fertilizer dust by using a mask. Keep children and pets off treated areas until the fertilizer dries. Sweep driveways and sidewalks instead of hosing fertilizer into storm drains.

Limit applications to prevent runoff issues. Rotate products for balanced nutrition. Spot treat weeds rather than broadcasting weed control granules. Always follow label directions for safe and effective lawn care.

How We Selected the Best Fertilizer Spreaders

When selecting a fertilizer spreader for your lawn, it’s important to consider factors like the size of your yard, frequency of fertilizing, and desired precision. Drop spreaders tend to provide more even distribution compared to rotary broadcast models, but require walking at a steady pace.

With proper assembly, calibration, and operation, a quality drop spreader enables efficient fertilizer application without skips or waste.

Factors in choosing spreaders.

When selecting a spreader, choose one with a large hopper capacity and wide distribution width to efficiently cover more area. Pay attention to the quality of the gearbox and agitator, as they affect performance.

Pneumatic tires are ideal for maneuvering across different terrains. Adjustable opening settings allow for customization of application rates. Different feature sets distinguish basic models under $100 from premium commercial-grade spreaders priced over $300, so select one that suits your lawn size and budget.

Look for features that offer efficiency, accuracy, and ease of use to meet your specific needs.

Drop vs. broadcast spreaders.

Drop spreaders give you precise control for small and winding lawns, while broadcast models work better for covering large, open yard areas quickly. Choose drop spreaders to spot-treat problem areas and ensure an even spread of granular fertilizers or pelletized weed control around trees and garden beds.

Match broadcast spreaders to rapidly blanket acres of turf. Evaluate your lawn’s shape, size, and needs when selecting between these two application techniques.

Proper drop spreader use

An even pass across every inch of the lawn ensures you get the most mileage out of each application.

• Double-check spreader assembly and width settings before use.
• Carefully calibrate for your specific product and application rate.
• Walk at a steady, measured pace for uniform coverage.
• Overlap passes slightly to avoid missed strips between.

Proper drop spreader use requires attention to spreader setup, calibration, application technique, and maintenance for optimal results. Performing a few quick checks and adopting a methodical approach helps achieve an even spread.

Why You Can Trust Us

You’re getting unbiased recommendations backed by careful research and testing. Trustworthiness is vital when readers rely on reviews to make purchases. We consider many factors like expert evaluations of performance and durability to guide readers towards the most reliable products.

Our reviews incorporate user feedback and hands-on testing to assess the strengths and shortcomings of various commercial drop spreaders and tow-behind models. By focusing on untainted analysis of each product’s reputation, capabilities, and specs, we provide readers the information they need to feel confident choosing the spreader that will serve their lawn care needs best.

Our goal is for you to trust our decades of combined experience researching and reviewing to point you towards the top performers.

What is a Drop Spreader?

Ya’ll get measured control with a drop spreader. These spreaders directly deposit materials onto the lawn through an opening on the bottom of the hopper.

Unlike broadcast spreaders that scatter product over a wide area, drop spreaders provide precise application and targeted coverage. With a manually operated crank that controls the material flow rate, y’all have full command over the amount dispensed.

Models range from smaller hand-held units for spot treatment to larger models designed for towing behind an ATV or tractor when fertilizing acres of turf.

For homeowners seeking superior accuracy when feeding the lawn, a quality drop spreader brings confidence in the amount applied. To nurture a pristine carpet of green, a drop spreader offers the precision you need.