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The UC Guide to Healthy Lawns

Broadcast spreaders


Broadcast fertilizing allows you to avoid striping, a problem sometimes associated with drop spreaders.

Handheld broadcasters

Handheld broadcasters spread fertilizer pellets evenly in all directions as you walk up and down the lawn, turning the handle. These may be appropriate for small lawns. Obtain even coverage by overlapping each pass.

Walk-behind broadcasters

Walk-behind broadcasters throw out fertilizer pellets in all directions at once as you push them from behind, as the name suggests. Overlap each pass for even coverage. It is easier to obtain even coverage with a walk-behind broadcaster than with a handheld broadcaster.

Illustration of broadcast spreader and pattern of fertilizer
Broadcast spreaders throw fertilizer in all directions.

Photo of a handheld broadcast spreader

Photo of a walk-behind broadcast spreader
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