Lawn Spreaders

About Lawn Spreaders

Lawn spreaders are essential tools for maintaining gardens, lawns, driveways, and pathways throughout the year. Whether you're a professional groundskeeper, landscape gardener, or DIY enthusiast, these versatile machines make light work of distributing materials evenly across large areas. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks a comprehensive range of push-along models for smaller gardens and heavy-duty broadcast spreaders for expansive grounds, from trusted brands including Handy, Sealey, Gardena, Einhell, and Draper.

Modern lawn spreaders accommodate various materials including grass seed, lawn fertiliser, weed treatments, and rock salt for winter gritting. Broadcast spreaders use a spinning disc to distribute material in a wide arc, covering ground quickly across open lawns. Drop spreaders release material straight downwards for precise application along edges and borders. Many models feature adjustable flow controls for accurate application rates, whilst cordless battery-powered options offer motorised distribution without physical effort, ideal for sloped terrain or extensive properties.

Applications

Lawn spreaders serve diverse users across professional and domestic settings:

• Landscape Gardeners and Groundskeepers: Maintaining sports pitches, golf courses, parks, and commercial grounds with seasonal fertilising programmes
• Local Authorities and Facilities Managers: Winter gritting of car parks, pathways, and public spaces
• Grounds Maintenance Contractors: Weed treatment and lawn care across multiple properties
• Estate Managers: Caring for extensive lawns and driveways on large properties
• Homeowners and DIY Enthusiasts: Seasonal lawn feeding, winter salt application on driveways, and garden maintenance
• Agricultural Workers: Distributing seed and treatments across paddocks and grazing areas
• Allotment Holders: Spreading lime, fertiliser, and soil conditioners across vegetable plots

Choosing The Right Lawn Spreaders

Area Size: For gardens under 100 square metres, handheld spreaders offer adequate coverage. Properties between 100-500 square metres suit push broadcast spreaders with 12-18kg hoppers, whilst larger areas benefit from heavy-duty models with 25kg+ capacities.

Spreader Type: Broadcast spreaders cover ground quickly and suit open lawns, though care is needed near borders. Drop spreaders provide precise control for gardens with intricate layouts but require more passes to cover equivalent areas.

Materials and Corrosion Resistance: Regular rock salt use requires stainless steel or corrosion-resistant models. MyToolShed.co.uk stocks specialist salt-resistant spreaders from Handy that withstand corrosive materials in the UK's damp climate.

Build Quality: Professional users should prioritise heavy-duty construction with robust frames and pneumatic tyres. DIY users applying fertiliser occasionally can opt for lighter-duty models with adequate flow control mechanisms.

Power Options: Traditional push spreaders require physical effort but need no power source. Cordless 18V battery-powered models from Einhell reduce fatigue significantly, particularly valuable for elderly users or extensive properties.

Safety Information

Always wear suitable gloves when handling fertilisers, herbicides, or rock salt, as these substances can irritate skin. Safety goggles protect eyes from wind-blown particles, particularly with broadcast spreaders. Consult product COSHH data sheets and never exceed recommended application rates, as over-fertilising damages lawns and pollutes waterways. When spreading rock salt, target only essential pathways and clean the spreader thoroughly after use to prevent corrosion. Maintain stable footing on slopes or wet grass, and clear the area of obstacles, pets, and bystanders before commencing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use any lawn spreader for rock salt in winter?

Not all spreaders suit rock salt, as it's highly corrosive and damages standard steel components. Check manufacturer specifications before use. For regular winter gritting, invest in a stainless steel model designed for corrosive materials. Always clean thoroughly after spreading salt to prevent deterioration.

What's the difference between broadcast and drop spreaders?

Broadcast spreaders distribute material in a wide arc using a spinning disc, covering ground quickly but with less precision. Drop spreaders release material straight downwards in a controlled line, offering accuracy but requiring more passes. Choose broadcast for open lawns and speed, drop for precise work near borders.

What hopper capacity do I need for my lawn size?

A 12-15kg hopper suits gardens up to 300 square metres, 18-20kg hoppers cover 300-600 square metres, whilst 25kg+ capacities suit larger properties or commercial use. Larger hoppers reduce refilling but add weight, making the spreader harder to manoeuvre when fully loaded.