Do you dream of turning your lawn into a lush green landscape? Maybe the grass in your backyard could use some TLC. No matter your reason for focusing on the state of your yard, you should give grass seed spreaders a try. If you ask us, the best grass seed spreader is the Scotts Grass Seed Spreader. To learn what this grass-improving tool can do for your outdoor space, keep reading! We’re talking all about grass seed spreaders and how to purchase the right one for your property.
Our Top Picks For Grass Seed Spreaders
The Best Grass Seed Spreaders
Best Overall
This Scotts Turf Builder is a prime example of what a high-end grass seed spreader should be. It has everything you can expect from these devices and more, and both its material choice and overall design are high-end and long-lasting. You can use it for regular lawn upkeep for years, making this grass seed spreader a choice that you can count on.
Speaking of functionality, this grass seed spreader’s hopper and spreader fan combo can offer exceptional results. Whether it’s grass seed or maintenance fertilizer, this device can evenly spread it across your lawn for results that you can be proud of. This grass seed spreader is great for professional use as well, and thanks to its high-quality design it’s the top choice on our list.
Pros
- Fold-down handle for easy storage
- Consistent, reliable seed spreading
- Smooth and easy to push
Cons
- Trigger is a bit stiff
Large Capacity
No matter how consistent a grass seed spreader is, if you have to stop halfway through to refill it, there are going to be gaps left behind. The simplest solution to this problem is finding a grass seed spreader with a large hopper capacity, and this one from AMAZE fits the bill. Its carrying hopper can hold enough seeds or fertilizer to spread across a lawn with a massive area of 10,000 square feet, and the great thing is that this grass seed spreader doubles as a rotary spreader as well.
This grass seed spreader’s performance is nothing to scoff at, either — it has a great reach, and its consistency is on par with other high-end options currently available. Even better is that this grass seed spreader’s performance will remain the same no matter if you’re using it for seeds or fertilizers, making it a premium option that you can’t go wrong with.
Pros
- Large capacity for uninterrupted spreading
- Impressive consistency and range
- Ideal for professional work
Cons
- Becomes somewhat heavy when full
Professional Grade
This grass seed spreader from EarthWay is possibly the most well-built, high-quality option on our list. This is a tool made for professionals, and it shows. This grass seed spreader’s construction can withstand years of regular use in a commercial setting, and then there are features like its large, smooth-rolling tires that make every spreading session as easy as can be. Even smaller details stand out — this grass seed spreader’s trigger requires minimal pressure to operate, making it effortless to get the job done.
This grass seed spreader is equipped with a sizeable hopper bucket and a larger-than-average spreader plate at the bottom, and these two attributes help you tackle massive jobs with the utmost efficiency. This grass seed spreader’s well-engineered design also provides it with long-term efficiency, helping to prevent clogging or flat tires that can disrupt your lawn care plans.
Pros
- Wide spreading range with even consistency
- Durable and long-lasting design
- Simple and smooth operation
Cons
- Takes up a lot of storage space
Easy to Use
This grass seed spreader from Landzie forgoes the broadcast spreader design for something a lot simpler, but don’t worry; it still offers great results. This device features a mesh drum attached to a handle that allows it to rotate freely, and the mesh is just the right size for spreading seeds, fertilizer, and even sand at a consistent, controlled rate. All you have to do is fill the drum up through its hatch and roll it across the area that requires product, and its easy operation makes this grass seed spreader a great choice for beginners.
A benefit of this grass seed spreader’s simple design is that its material is spread in stripes, letting you control the precise location of its application. This also helps prevent any product loss or mess around the edges of your lawn, making this grass seed spreader a convenient, high-quality choice.
Pros
- Easy to understand and use
- Offers controlled, consistent spreading
- Quick and efficient operation
Cons
- Requires significant effort to move while full
Durable Design
If you’re looking for a grass seed spreader that can be used for years and that functions as well as it did on day one, then do yourself a favor and check out this one from Walensee. It’s been designed with longevity in mind, and you can see this in the metal bar reinforcements in its mesh that firmly connect to the sides as well as its T-shaped handle that’s crafted from a thick metal bar and can stand up to extended use.
This grass seed spreader’s durability doesn’t come at the cost of functionality, though, and it weighs just as much as any similarly sized roller. Its clever handle makes this grass seed spreader a breeze to move (even when it’s full), and its hinged door allows for easy filling that will stay secure during use.
Pros
- Powder coated to help prevent rust
- Durable, long-lasting construction
- Can handle seed, fertilizer, and even topsoil
Cons
- May be too short for some
The Best Grass Seed Spreader: A Buyer’s Guide
Whether you’re taking care of your home’s lawn or tackling a professional job for someone else, the last thing you want is inconsistent grass growth. The only way to avoid this is to ensure that the kind of grass seed or fertilizer you’re working with is spread evenly with no empty spots or areas of excess. This is where modern grass seed spreaders come into play. The only thing standing between you and a beautiful, lush lawn is choosing the right tool, so here’s what you need to look for when shopping for a grass seed spreader in 2023.
Choosing the Right Type of Spreader
Before you start to look for the ideal grass seed spreader, you’ll have to decide on one of two types. Your choice will completely change your options, so keep reading to find out how you can make an informed decision.
Drop grass seed spreader
This is the simpler of the two designs, and it mainly consists of a mesh roller and an accompanying handle. Its roller drum has a built-in hatch/door for refilling, and once it’s full, all you have to do is roll the grass seed spreader, and it will begin to evenly drop material at a constant rate.
The main benefits of this design are its ease of use and reliability. Since there aren’t many parts, the risk of something breaking or getting jammed is quite low, and this kind of grass seed spreader also gives you full control of where the seed/fertilizer goes.
Using these grass seed spreaders can be a bit of a drag, though, especially when they’re full. Uneven terrain can also hamper their efficiency, and they’re a bit slow compared to the following type of grass seed spreader.
Broadcast grass seed spreader
This kind of grass seed spreader is a bit more advanced, as it translates your forward motion into a horizontal rotation that’s then used to spread the material. The key components are a hopper/holder up top, a rotating disk attached to the wheels on the bottom, and a trigger in the middle, which is usually attached to the handle for convenient access.
The biggest selling point of broadcast grass seed spreaders compared to drop spreaders is their efficiency. To say that they’re quick would be an understatement, and even better is that this speed will not affect the spreading consistency in any way.
The only potential downside of choosing a broadcast grass seed spreader might be its complexity and delicacy — a single gear failing can put the spreader out of commission until it can be repaired.
Essentials To Look For
Before finalizing your purchase, consider the following:
Build material
If you want your grass seed spreader to last a long time, it should be made of metal. An all-steel spreader would be great when it comes to longevity, but it will likely be a bit too heavy. Iron, on the other hand, gets rusty easily and can start to deteriorate due to moisture.
The perfect middle ground between these two choices is an iron build with a complete powder coating. Iron is plenty strong on its own, and the powder coating will help prevent rust buildup.
Mesh thickness
This only applies to drop-style grass seed spreaders, but mesh size matters a lot. Mesh size will directly dictate the flow of seeds/fertilizer, thus affecting the efficiency of the spreader. The ideal measurements for the mesh would be diamond-shaped ½-inch x ¾-inch opening slits. Any smaller than this, and you’ll have to do multiple passes over the same spot, any wider, and you’ll end up wasting a lot of expensive lawn care products. This number isn’t fixed, though, and a little positive or negative deviation shouldn’t be that big of an issue.
Hopper size
If you’re buying a broadcast grass seed spreader, make sure its hopper has enough storage space to cover at least a 5,000-square-foot lawn — hoppers smaller than this are not worth your consideration. If you want the most convenient option, go with a grass seed spreader with a capacity suited for a 10,000-square-foot area.
People Also Asked
What else can I use my grass seed spreader for?
In addition to seeds, grass seed spreaders are also great for spreading sand, topsoil, fertilizer, compost, and peat moss.
How do I clean my grass seed spreader?
As long as the iron of a grass seed spreader is well-protected with a powder coating or something similar, hosing it down with water should be perfectly fine.
Are bag grass seed spreaders good?
Bag grass seed spreaders are only suitable for small areas, like a garden patch next to your driveway. For anything larger than that, you’ll need a proper spreader for optimal results.
How much seed should I lay for a healthy lawn?
The amount of seed you should lay depends on a few things. Gene Caballero, co-founder of Your Green Pal, a lawn care company, says, "It's recommended to use around one to two pounds of seed per 1,000 square feet of lawn," and that "soil type, sunlight, and climate can affect how much seed is needed."
How often should I use my seed spreader?
The answer to this question depends on your goals. If you are planting seeds for the first time, go over your lawn often to ensure the seeds take properly. After you've established sufficient grass, overseed your lawn twice a year, once in the spring before summer play and once in the fall afterward.
