
Our list of the top ten best lawn fertilizers & spreaders has you covered, folks!
A common thing you were probably told by your parents growing up was that you should drink plenty of water and take your vitamins. Your folks wanted you to grow up to be the best person you could be–and in the best health possible. Lawns, believe it or not, are just like human bodies. They need the proper nutrients in order for them to thrive at their fullest potential. Only instead of vitamins, grass requires water and fertilizer to grow.
And chances are high that if you’re reading this right now, you’re likely in need of some help in tending to your lawn!
Contents
What Are Lawn Fertilizers?
Like us, grass has to eat, too. And since we can’t feed it hamburgers or pizza, we have to find out what nourishes grass and soil. Thankfully, all types of grass eat the same diet; at different intervals, but still the same substances. That substance, ladies and gentlemen, is known as lawn fertilizer.
What does lawn fertilizer consist of, you ask?
Well…that’s where it gets very interesting, folks!
Fertilizer can be made out basically any kind of natural, biodegradable substance. It can be fruit or vegetables. It can be old, raw meat. It can be bone meal, even! Heck, one of the most popular types of fertilizer is manure (seriously!). Fertilizers are easy to make, so don’t be afraid to be creative!
What Are Lawn Spreaders?
Once you get your fertilizer, how do you go about applying it to your grass? Some people may just grab a shovel and apply it manually, which is certainly an option. But let’s be real; nobody wants to handle fertilizer for that long. A lot of brands smell like manure, which is a very unlikable smell to have to put up with for too long!
That’s when you get yourself a lawn spreader. Lawn spreaders are basically tools used to store and distribute fertilizer to your grass. When searching for the best lawn spreader, it’s best to know what types you can choose from. One type is called a drop spreader, which is normally built as a walk-behind machine. Think a wheel barrel that periodically drops fertilizer on your lawn.
Another type is known as a broadcast spreader. This type is one of the more popular types of spreader, as it works with rotaries. Instead of dropping fertilizer, it spins around like a fan. People tend to prefer this kind of lawn spreader because it’s basically guaranteed that fertilizer will be spread evenly around your yard.
The final and easiest type to describe is the handheld spreaders. This spreader isn’t motorized, nor is it pushed on wheels. Handheld spreaders likely look like cups or travel cups for your coffee. Just scoop up some fertilizer in it and sprinkle it on your grass. Easy as that!
TOP 10 Best Lawn Fertilizers & Spreaders
Comparison Chart
Our Rating |
Image |
Product Name |
Type |
Spreading Distance |
Amount Of Fertilizer Per Pack |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1 Editor Choice | ![]() | Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader |
Spreader |
22 Inch Spread |
N/A |
#2 | ![]() | Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader |
Spreader |
22 Inch Spread |
N/A |
#3 | ![]() | Simple Lawn Solutions Natural Liquid Fertilizer |
Fertilizer |
N/A |
Up To 32,000 SQ. FT. |
#4 | ![]() | Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Fertilizer |
Fertilizer |
N/A |
Up To 5,000 SQ. FT. |
#5 | ![]() | Earthway 2150 Commercial Spreader |
Spreader |
Up To 1325 Cubic In. |
N/A |
#6 | ![]() | Milorganite Nitrogen Fertilizer |
Fertilizer |
N/A |
Up To 2,500 SQ. FT. |
#7 | ![]() | Super Juice All in One Lawn Fertilizer |
Fertilizer |
N/A |
Up To 3,000 SQ. FT. |
#8 | ![]() | Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Lawn Food |
Fertilizer |
N/A |
Up To 5,000 SQ. FT. |
#9 | ![]() | Spot Spreader |
Spreader |
Distances Suitable For Handheld Use |
N/A |
#10 | ![]() | Stalwart Handheld Multi-Purpose Spreader |
Spreader |
Distances Suitable For Handheld Use |
N/A |
*REVIEWS:
1 Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader
Lo and behold, here comes the best broadcast spreader 2021!
The Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader is capable of holding 5,000 square feet of fertilizer while firing feed at a 22 inch radius. That may not seem like a whole lot, but trust us when we say it fits perfectly well in the big picture! When you take into account how large your lawn is and how much fertilizer is in the bag you’ve bought, you’ll find that 22 inches is the perfect standard rate for a rotary-powered spreader to fire off because it makes for an even distribution around your yard. And as you may very well have guessed, an even distribution can only be a good thing for your lawn!
This is why the Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard Mini Broadcast Spreader is considered the best walk behind lawn spreader as well as the best commercial fertilizer spreader!
PROS
- Affordable
- Can hold up to 5,000 sq. ft. of fertilizer
- Edgeguard allows extra leak protection
- Walk-behind
- Can fire up to 22 in
- Comes already assembled
CONS
- Product may burn lawn if not careful
2 Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Are broadcast spreaders not your thing? Don’t worry, Scotts has a super awesome drop spreader that you can use alternatively! The Scotts 76565 Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader, regardless of what version is being purchased, is the second best lawn spreader under $100. Yes sir, you can only get this number of options with the same top-notch quality when you buy from Scotts!
Still, this lawn spreader is a little more pricey than the number one entrant previously mentioned on this list. And the product has been said to burn lawns if you apply too much at a time. Thankfully, a customer has posted a review for this product in which she explains how you can avoid burning it…which ultimately boils down to covering up your wheels so they don’t catch any of the material you’re dropping. A quick DIY measure will save your lawn in a jiffy!
PROS
- Can be bought in different sizes
- Can hold up to 10,000 sq. ft. of fertilizer
- Can drop up to 22 in
- Comes already assembled
- Walk-behind
CONS
- Product may burn lawn if not careful
- Expensive
3 Simple Lawn Solutions Natural Liquid Fertilizer
When selecting the best lawn spreader, it’s only natural that you also select the best lawn fertilizer to go with it. Simple Lawn Solutions Natural Liquid Fertilizer is just what you need to give your grass the proper nutrients, as it can be bought multiple sizes (2.5 gallons being the most abundant). How much fertilizer goes into a 2.5 gallon jug, you ask? Enough to cover 32,000 square feet, that’s what!
Yes, you read that correctly.
32,000 square feet!
That’s insane!
PROS
- Covers up to 32,000 sq. ft
- Can be bought up to 2.5 gallons
- Provides perfect nutrients for your lawn
- Suitable for almost every type of grass
- Can be used for any season
- Completely safe for kids and pets!
CONS
- Expensive
4 Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Fertilizer
The second best fertilizer that we’ve found for you lovely folks is Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Fertilizer. Whether you’re using a handheld spreader or a commercial tow behind fertilizer spreader, this fertilizer is just what you need to make sure your lawn is in tip top shape. The best part about this product is that it doesn’t smell. That’s right! No god-awful manure smell is going to clog your nose with this entrant!
Covering up to 5,000 square feet of land has never been so liberating as it has with Safer Brand Ringer Lawn Fertilizer. Yes, it’s a bit pricey of an investment. But here’s the thing, you’ll be getting your money’s worth with this buy. Ain’t no cheap quality to this fertilizer, no sir!
PROS
- Can be bought in a pack of two
- Can cover up to 5,000 square feet per use
- Suitable for almost every type of grass
- Can be used for any season
- No odor or manure smell
CONS
- Expensive
5 Earthway 2150 Commercial Spreader
And now check out another candidate for the title of the best push broadcast spreader mentioned on our list. The Earthway 2150 Commercial Spreader is capable of firing up to 1325 cubic inches of fertilizer per 50 lbs. Keep in mind that this baby can hold up to 175 lbs of fertilizer. So, doing the math, that means that one fill can cover over 4000 cubic inches of land. That’s pretty impressive, if you ask us!
Of course, if this spread rate isn’t your cup of tea, you can always adjust it!
PROS
- Can hold up to 175 lbs of fertilizer
- Can fire up to 1325 cubic in per 50 lbs
- Spread rate can be adjusted
- Adjustable handle
- 13” wheels, Walk-behind
CONS
- Expensive
6 Milorganite Nitrogen Fertilizer
Another product to write home about is Milorganite Nitrogen Fertilizer. Whether it’s the best lawn spreader on the market or just a little old something else, you can bet that this substance won’t let you or your grass down. Covering up to 2,500 square feet of land, this fertilizer is just what you need to enrich your green life and invigorate your plants to their most healthy and beautiful state. Thanks to the organic ingredients used in this fertilizer, you can bet your backside that your grass and soil will only be fed the best food available for lawns!
PROS
- Can cover up to 2,500 square feet per use
- Organic
- Suitable for almost every type of grass
- Can be used for any season
CONS
- A little pricey
7 Super Juice All in One Lawn Fertilizer
Super Juice All in One Lawn Fertilizer comes to us at number seven on our list of the top ten best lawn fertilizers and spreaders review. While covering up to an impressive 3,000 square foot worth of lawn, this nifty fertilizer is a nutritious part of any type of grass’s diet. This all-in-one solution ensures that your grass receives the right amount of nutrients–no matter the season. If it needs moisture, this fertilizer’s got you covered. If it needs a dry mix, it can do that as well!
PROS
- Can cover up to 3,000 square feet per use
- Suitable for almost every type of grass
- Can be used for any season, All-in-one solution
CONS
- May need to use extra to see results
- Pricey
8 Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Lawn Food
No lawn is complete with some good fertilizer being applied either through a handheld spreader or a commercial tow behind fertilizer spreader. And a good option for you to consider adding to your grass is Scotts Turf Builder WinterGuard Lawn Food. For a low price, you can cover up to 5,000 square feet of land with just one bag of this lawn nourishment. That’s quite an improvement from some of the pricier bags of fertilizer previously mentioned on this list!
However, this bag of fertilizer may prove to be too strong for certain types of grass. Anything that isn’t particularly strong, such as ryegrass, may burn if too much fertilizer is used at a time. So be mindful of the type of grass you have. Otherwise, you’ll have a damaged lawn!
PROS
- Can be bought in bigger sacks
- Can cover up to 5,000 square feet per use
- Suitable for almost every type of grass
- Can be used for any season (though Fall is the most preferred)
- Very inexpensive
CONS
- May kill weaker types of grass
9 Spot Spreader
In case you thought we were going to leave out handheld spreaders, the Spot Spreader is an impressive tool that is capable of holding up to 80 ounces of substance. This substance can either be fertilizer, seeds, or some other form of gardening nutrition necessary to make your lawn flourish. Heck, you can even use this spreader as a salt-shaker if you like! There’s not much this guy can’t do, you know!
That, ladies and gentlemen, is what makes the Spot Spreader one of the best fertilizer spreader 2021.
PROS
- Very inexpensive
- Holds up to 80 OZ. of fertilizer
- Multi-purpose
- Sturdy handle
- Extremely durable
CONS
- Some users have complained about the standard weight of this lawn spreader
10 Stalwart Handheld Multi-Purpose Spreader
And coming to us in last place on this list of the top ten best fertilizer spreader 2021, we have another handheld goodie for you. The Stalwart Handheld Multi-Purpose Spreader is a cheap alternative to the more expensive spreaders mentioned thus far on this list. It may not have as long a range as the other spreaders, but you have a level of control that is greatly missing in the other options. After all, what better way to control how much fertilizer your lawn gets than by manually spreading it yourself?
Of course, this level of control can come with some drawbacks. For instance, some users have commented on how the top for this spreader doesn’t properly close. This doesn’t seem to be a universal problem with the product, so we can only assume that is just a simple defect found in some. You’ll likely not have this issue, but if you do, be mindful of the fertilizer you use so you don’t accidentally burn your grass.
PROS
- Very inexpensive
- Can be bought in blue or red
- Can be bought in a larger container
- Multi-purpose
- Sturdy handle
- Great for hands of all sizes!
CONS
- Very small
- Top doesn’t close
Concluding Thoughts
So now you’ve seen our picks for the best fertilizer and best fertilizer spreader. Now that you’ve received this information, what will be your next step? Will you research the amounts of fertilizer needed for your particular type of grass? Will you compare your options for spreaders? Or will you just pick the spreader and fertilizer that jumps out at you first?
Whatever you do, we’re behind you 100%!
And quite frankly, so are these picks for the best lawn fertilizers & spreaders!

Sarah Eberle qualified and became a member of the Landscape Institute in 1980. Over the last 26 years she has practised landscape architecture and garden design, running her own business in Devon.
During the 1990s, Sarah joined Hillier Landscapes as Design Director, where she is still a shareholder but also runs her own practice in Hampshire.
Sarah has an esteemed record in RHS shows, having won eight Gold medals, Best in Show and the George Cook award for innovation twice at Hampton Court. Sarah has also exhibited at Tatton Park and BBC Gardeners’ World Live.