
If necessity is the mother of invention, then invention’s father is a farmer. Those who are responsible for growing our food have for thousands of years figured out how to make implements to increase their production. That’s how lawn spreaders got their start. Back in the 1850s farmers first started attaching simple fan-designed seed spreaders to animals, carts, and even people.
About a hundred years later, lawn spreaders got their first patent in 1956. These tools gave not only farmers, but also landscapers and home gardeners, a way to quickly and efficiently spread seeds and fertilizer.

Customized choice
This EdgeGuard model means you can set the spread to suit the situation: narrower for along pathways and fences, and wider for lawns. Good for landscaping chores from spreading salt and ice melt to spreading grass seed, this lawn spreader will cover 5,000 square feet of area. It’s great that it needs no assembly. We love how the handle folds down and that its compact size lets you store it in a small space.

For any chore
The long arching support arm is great. We love how this ergonomic handle makes holding and spreading simple. Every season needs a little help, from spreading ice melt in your driveway to distributing plant food around your garden. This hand-powered lawn spreader covers 1,500 square feet. Crank with one hand and hold with another, the Scotts manual lawn spreader gives you nice even coverage. Say no to weeds and yes to seeds with this handy helper.

Heavy-duty construction
Right out of the starting gate you can tell this model is durable and rugged. The screen at the bottom of this hopper ensures nothing gets into your seed. We appreciate how the hopper top has a nylon rain cover to keep your seeds and fertilizers dry. Since it’s specially designed for spreading salt, you know it’s sturdy. Take a look at those tires and that axle – this big red machine means business. The carbon steel frame is covered with powder coating, keeping the lawn and salt spreader rustproof. We love that it holds 100 pounds and has a 24-foot range.

Smart upgrades
This tow-behind spreader is a great tool shed addition for any moderate size garden. The Chapin premium spreader has all kinds of upgrades. The heavy-duty hitch attaches quickly to your riding mower. It’s designed with bronze bearings steeped with oil to keep friction to a minimum. When you stop, the impeller stops and prevents spreading any of the 150 pounds of contents. The 14-inch pneumatic tires are set wide for extra stability.

Good value
Designed with a small-scale farm in mind, this towing lawn spreader is designed for tractor towing. We love how this lawn spreader holds enough to cover 14,000 square feet. That’s a quarter of an acre! Bumps and lumps don’t trouble the brawny steel frame or the enclosed gearbox. Yes, some assembly is required, but they’ve included a video to help out.
Cyndi Mathews is a contributing writer to Florida Travel & Life, an online brand that inspires active, affluent travelers, providing them with insider information on discovering the best of Florida. Informative and engaging, the website showcases travel destinations, arts and cultural venues, vibrant dining scenes, recreational activities, the great outdoors and the revitalized real-estate market. Cyndi recently published her first book and enjoys traveling to Florida in her sailboat.