The Grass Doctor

Lawn fertilizer help! ?

I bought this lawn fertilizer that requires a spreader. do i need a spreader? or can i just throw it around the grass

Public Comments

1. be very careful if you do hand spread it you need to make sure you get it out evenly and not too much in one area if you get too much it may burn the grass your best bet is to put out less than you think you need water it in real good and then apply more the next week on the bag there may be a picture of how the product should look when it is applied (however many grains of fertilizer per square inch). they do sell small hand held spreaders that are easy to use and cheap(less than $20- i got one at walmart this season for under $10) it is a good idea(and the law) to wear protection (nitrile gloves) when using any lawn chemical (about $5-10 for comfortable ones).
2. Wear gloves and spread it evenly. Spreader ensures that the fertilizer is distributed evenly. Too much and you burn the lawn. Also spreader will have settings that you can match to the settings on the bag to ensure you apply to correct amount. You should get a cheap spreader. You can pick a cheap one up for around $20 - $30. Maybe less at the end of summer.
3. definitely get a spreader. they arent much money, you dont need a top of the line one. it'll spread easier, more efficiently, a much safer. doing it by hand, u run the risk of burning and/or striping the lawn. striping is when the fert isnt spread evenly and u see noticeable patches or stripes of green in the lawn. besides, with a spreader, its much quicker
4. No you can not spread it without a spreader, It will not get spread evenly and you will have a tiger stripe lawn. Get a high quality spreader made by scotts, the cheap ones have been known to cause problems.