There are two methods of effective spreading, Full Rate (Single Pass over the area at the setting for the full amount) and Half Rate (Double pass over the area in a crossing pattern at 50% of the full amount – details below). Walk at a steady pace of approximately 3mph holding the spreader level.
Tipping forward or back will affect your application.
Full Rate – one pass
Cover the area as shown making the next pass at the edge of your spread pattern or where the fertilizer thrown
begins to feather.
Half Rate – 2 passes
Use ½ the application rate (lbs. per 1,000) suggested on the back of your fertilizer bag. You cover the area using
the cross path method.
Half rate is defined by reducing the pounds per thousand square feet by 50%. This does NOT correlate to a 50%
reduction on the gauge indicator. Refer to the chart below for the proper half rate setting.
Review the coverage and weight of the bag to help determine the correct setting. For a 25 lb. bag that covers 5,000 Square Feet (SF), the calculation is 25/5 = 5 lbs. per 1,000 Square Feet, setting of 13. HALF Rate would be 1/2 of the 5 lbs. rate (2.5 lbs.) or a Setting of 9.
