What’s the best way to seed a lawn? Do you actually need a grass seed spreader, or can you do it by hand?
In this guide, we’ll take you through the ins and outs of a grass seed spreader, and why they can be a valuable part of your groundcare tool collection. Keep reading to learn more from the Hughie Willett Machinery team…
What is a grass seed spreader?
Grass seed spreaders are a mechanical tool that you can use to distribute seeds, fertiliser, and other groundcare materials quickly and easily.
These are typically walk-behind tools, and come in 2 primary types. Drop spreaders allow the product to fall directly beneath the material container (called a hopper).
Rotary, or broadcast, spreaders have a spinning impeller beneath the hopper which gives the seeds more momentum for distribution.
To learn more about the different types of grass seed spreader, check out our Complete Lawn Spreader Buying Guide.
Why should I spread grass seed?
Of course, you may be wondering why you should spread grass seed when you could use turf, or considering most gardens tend to come with an existing lawn.
There are actually several benefits to sowing grass seeds. For example, it’s often much cheaper and less labour intensive than laying turf - or paying for a professional to do this for you. Plus, if you have a patchy lawn, you can fix this with far less effort than ripping up and relaying new turf.
You also have more control over the types of grasses you have in your garden, and you could even include more wildflower seeds to help your local pollinators. Choosing your own grass seeds also means you can choose the best ones for your soil type, helping you establish a healthy and practical lawn for your area.
Don’t know What to Look for When Buying Grass Seed? Discover our handy article for more information and advice.
Seeding your own lawn can also help to prevent weeds. A well-established, dense lawn can outcompete weeds, stopping them from rooting into the ground and spreading across your garden.
Do I need a grass seed spreader?
Sowing your own lawn can be hugely rewarding, especially if you’re revitalising a dead or patchy garden. But, this is a labour of love, and you may be put off with how much energy it may take to bring your lawn to life by hand.
That’s why grass seed spreaders are an excellent addition to your groundcare tool collection. In this section, we’ll take you through some of the top reasons you should consider buying a grass seed spreader.
Quicker
Whilst it’s entirely possible to seed a lawn by hand, this takes a lot of time and energy. Grass seed spreaders are a quicker alternative, allowing you to finish your task in plenty of time.
If you have a large lawn for example, a grass seed spreader is essential to give you efficient and effective coverage within a reasonable timeframe. Even on smaller lawns, a grass seed spreader will allow you to fit multiple gardening tasks into one day, so there’s less time wasted.
More precise
Grass seed spreaders are much more precise as a distribution method. As a human, you can’t guarantee that you’ll take exactly the same amount of seed with each throw, nor can you know which areas have received more or less product at a time.
By using a grass seed spreader, you have a lot more control over where seed is distributed, and how much is released with each pass. Seed spreaders have release valves in the hopper, which you can calibrate to different sizes depending on what you’re planning to spread.
By maintaining an even walking pace, you can have a better idea of how much seed falls in each area. For example, if you walk slower, you’ll spend longer over each area, and so more seed will be deposited there.
Top tip - most manufacturers will put instructions for optimum seed spreader calibration on the back of product packaging.
Multi-use
Once you’ve sown a lawn, you’re probably thinking you need to put your grass seed spreader away until you need to fix any patches.
However, this doesn’t have to be the case. Grass seed spreaders are actually quite versatile, and you can use them to distribute a variety of materials in and around your garden all year round.
For example, you could use your grass seed spreader to distribute weed killer when you’re preparing the ground for seeding. This helps give your lawn the best chance to establish itself, without getting pushed out by unsightly weeds.
Top tip - leave at least a week between spreading weed killer and planting your grass to avoid accidental contamination of your lawn. Try spreading compost as another measure to help your seeds grow.
Once your lawn is properly established, you can use your spreader to fertilise your new plants and give them the best chance to root well and grow during the spring.
Then, as winter hits, you can fill your grass seed spreader with grit or salt and easily cover your garden paths and driveway. This will give you vital traction, and help prevent slips and trips on the ice.
Safer
One essential consideration for any groundcare professional, or domestic gardening enthusiast, is safety - of yourself, and those around you.
As we have seen above, grass seed spreaders are multi-functional and can be used to distribute a variety of products onto a lawn.
One of these is fertilisers, and weed killers. Depending on the ingredients of your chosen mixture, using your grass seed spreader can be a lot safer as it reduces the points of contact between yourself and harmful chemicals that may be necessary to care for your lawn.
Top tip - always wear gloves to protect your hands from coming into contact with hazardous chemicals, or sharp grass seeds.
How to spread grass seed with a spreader
Now you’ve discovered the benefits of using a grass seed spreader, it can be hard to go back to the old way of seeding a lawn by hand. But, how do you use your bright and shiny new tool?
To help you out, we’ve put together step-by-step instructions for how to spread grass seed with a spreader - and some handy tips too.
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Before you do anything, make sure the release valve on your grass seed spreader is shut properly.
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Fill your hopper with your chosen grass seed.
Top tip - make sure to only fill the hopper ¾ of the way to reduce accidental spillages. Many models have a texture change on the hopper to help you identify where this level is.
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Wheel your grass seed spreader into position at the foot of your garden.
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Release the valve, and push the grass seed spreader in front of you until you reach the other end of your garden.
Top tip - keep an even pace to ensure you distribute the seed equally. Practise a few times beforehand until you’re confident you can maintain a consistent walking speed.
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Close the valve, and turn around to face the other end of your garden.
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Align your grass seed spreader, then repeat step 4.
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If you have a drop spreader, align your tyre marks to ensure you get even coverage.
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If you have a broadcast spreader, overlap along the edges of your lines to get an even finish.
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Repeat this process until you’ve covered your whole lawn with the grass seed spreader.
Top tip - follow a criss cross pattern to help prevent a patchy or uneven finish when using a grass seed spreader.
Remember, it can take a few attempts to get used to using this tool, but don’t give up! Using a grass seed spreader takes patience, but it’s well worth the effort when you can enjoy your new, beautiful lawn.
End the search for your next grass seed spreader
We hope you’ve found this guide useful, and feel prepared to take your next steps towards achieving the ideal lawn for you.
Ready to buy a new grass seed spreader? At Hughie Willett Machinery, we have an excellent range of spreaders from leading brands like Turfmaster and Agri-Fab for you to choose from.
Plus, our team of experts are always on hand to give you advice throughout your buying journey. Simply contact us online, or call 0121 308 1262 to speak to a member of our team.
Find grass seed spreaders at Hughie Willett Machinery
For more advice, information and equipment buying guides, check out the Hughie Willett Machinery blog…
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