How to choose and use a lawn spreader

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

If you have a small lawn area to feed, perhaps less than 2,000 square feet, you may want to purchase a Jonathan Green Hand Spreader or Jonathan Green Green-Meter Drop Spreader, never apply products by hand.  These types of spreaders give you good control when applying products to small, tight areas. Drop spreaders are handy when you apply products along the street or sidewalks and driveways to keep the product out of the street and sewer drains.  Drop spreaders have an opening across the bottom of the hopper, which is the “holding-tank” you pour the product into, and the product “drops” down directly onto the lawn.  You need to slightly overlap the wheel marks in the grass as you apply in order to get complete coverage, like when you mow the lawn, to avoid ‘streaking’ the lawn.

If you have a larger area to fertilize, a Jonathan Green “Go-Green” Rotary Spreader or Jonathan Green Green-Meter Rotary Spreader, would be the best choice.  Rotary spreaders also have a hopper to pour the product into and the product lands on a spinner plate located under the hopper, which broadcasts the product in a fan pattern across the lawn as you walk.  This spread pattern can be 6-8 feet so you can cut down the amount of time needed to feed a larger lawn.  You must be careful to slightly overlap your spread pattern about 1 foot in order to avoid missing areas of the lawn.

Each time you use your Jonathan Green spreader give it a check up.  Be sure that all nuts and bolts are tight and see that it rolls smoothly and that the shut off plate is opening and closing properly. Read the complete bag label directions for the product you are applying so you can be aware of any cautions you should take when spreading this product.  Be sure you have the proper amount of product; do not apply too much or too little to your desired lawn area. 

With the shut off plate closed, adjust the setting to the bag directions and fill the hopper over the driveway/sidewalk carefully.  Clean up any spills before spreading. Do not fill over the lawn area.  Map out your spreader path before you start to spread.  If you are using a rotary spreader, apply in a circular path starting on the outside of your property and work your way towards the center with a slight overlap of the product.  With a drop spreader, first apply 2 border strips along the edge of each end of the lawn, overlapping slightly and shutting off the spreader before turning as you reach the edge of the border strips (see diagrams below).  Be sure to keep a steady walking pace to insure even coverage and shut off the spreader when stopping.  Only push the spreader forward, do not pull it towards yourself. 

You may not have enough product or too little when you feed your lawn.  If this is the case, first measure the area again that you are feeding and make sure you are using the proper setting.  Spreader settings are approximate and the age and condition of the spreader, walking speed and the lawn terrain can all affect the spreading.  Adjust your setting up or down one setting based on your over or under coverage. 

After you are finished spreading, clean the whole spreader thoroughly with a hose over the lawn area.  Keep moving parts lubricated before you store it in the garage.  Good spreading!