
Walk-behind spreader settings are based on a walking speed of around 3.5 miles per hour. The settings may be numbers or letters the higher the setting, the bigger the hole. To get the best results, your spreader's hole size must be set so seed comes through at correct rate. Wash your spreader thoroughly after every use. Do some header strips first, to give turnaround room, then close the hopper during end turns. Open the spreader only once you're in motion and up to speed. Fill over a surface that cleans easily, in case of spills.
Whatever spreader you choose, make sure it's in the “off" position before you fill it. They cover less ground per swath, adding to time. They keep products in bounds, eliminating the need for cleanup. They provide precision in tight spots and around obstacles. They're simple to use and offer easy coverage control. They're well-suited for small lawns (under 5,000 square feet). Points to remember with drop spreaders include: As with the broadcast spreader, you'll get the best coverage - and avoid striping - by setting your spreader at 50 percent, and then spreading your seed two ways in a crosshatch pattern. Because seed drops only between the wheels, you must overlap wheel paths on each pass across the lawn, or you'll miss the paths and get stripes instead. The width of your spread equals the distance between the two outermost hopper holes. The gravity-fed seed only goes where you go. 1)ĭrop spreaders drop seed straight down into neat rows with great accuracy. (Some state laws require cleanup of fertilizer from sidewalks or other hardscapes. They can scatter seed or products out of bounds. They're more affected by wind, especially with lightweight products. They lack precision in tight spots and around obstacles. They require more skill to get uniform coverage. They suit large lawns and cover wide areas efficiently. Points to consider with broadcast spreaders include: 3 For best coverage, set the spreader at 50 percent, and then spread your seed two ways in a crosshatch pattern. Passes across the lawn should be 9 feet apart. 2 If your spreader's arc measures 12 feet across to its outermost points, the effective coverage is 9 feet wide. A general rule is that the “effective width" of the spread is roughly equal to 75 percent of the total reach. Scotts standard spreader settings for rye grass seed full#
Distribution thins as it gets farther from the spreader, so passes back and forth across the lawn must overlap to uniform seed across the full arc.
The size of the fan depends on hole size and your speed. However, the two types differ in how they distribute seed and what lawn types suit them best.īroadcast spreaders scatter or “broadcast" seed in a fanlike manner over a wide area, with the help of a rotating piece beneath the hopper holes. Both broadcast and drop spreaders have bucket-like hoppers with adjustable holes that control the volume of seed that goes through. Home walk-behind spreaders usually have two wheels - and bigger wheels improve maneuverability. But they come down to two main types: broadcast, also known as rotary, and drop spreaders. Spreaders run from small, hand-held tools to heavy-duty, lawn-tractor models.