Best way to spread evergreen to avoid green "lanes"!

Discussion in 'Lawns' started by Voobwm, Aug 13, 2019.

  1. Voobwm

    Voobwm Gardener

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    I bought a spreader for evergreen because I found doing it by hand ineffective, and by watering can ineffective and too long to do. The spreader is a lot more effective for me, it works as you can see in the pic.

    But in the pic you can also see the green lanes! How does one avoid this and have a uniform green on the lawn if you cant line up the spreading edge exactly with the last lane.

    Are there better spreaders? I have one thats sort of rectangle shape on two wheels, an "evergreen easy spreader plus".
     

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  2. andrews

    andrews Super Gardener

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    Did you use a broadcast spreader ? This has a rotating disc that flings the feed out

    I suspect that you used a spreader with multiple holes in the bottom

    Edit : just re-read and it was the one with multiple holes. A broadcast spreader will give better results
     
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    • BJL1953

      BJL1953 Apprentice Gardener

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      I put a large screwdriver in the ground in line with the wheel at the start of each pass then aim for it when pushing back towards it. It's not perfect so it's better to halve the spreading rate and go over the lawn twice, the second pass at right angles to the first.
       
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      • Voobwm

        Voobwm Gardener

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        Happy to buy a different type of spreader if thats better then the one I have.
         
      • Voobwm

        Voobwm Gardener

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        Not sure a marker is the best either, its a long garden so would be easy to still meandre from the line. I thought going cross cross could still end up with a criss cross pattern though?
         
      • hoofy

        hoofy Gardener

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        You can't go wrong if you put a string line down attached to a post either end.
         
      • Verdun

        Verdun Passionate gardener

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        Hand spreading here.....half one way, half the other. Even coverage and fast.
        Skill of hand spreading gets better with experience I think.:)
         
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        • Liz the pot

          Liz the pot Total Gardener

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          With a drop spreader you will notice the drop area is shorter than the wheel base. You need to over lap a bit. Normally you can see the wheel marks and I simply rotate and move a few inches over and that’s how I use a drop spreader.
          With a broadcast spreader you have to watch you don’t throw it into your borders, a weed and feed will harm plants in borders so on small lawns a drop spreader is best.
          It takes a bit to get use to it but once you get the hang it’s easy. Don’t forget a nice steady walking pace keeps the drop rate equal.
          You also need to do a strip down either side first then run between. The strip is handy as you then pull trigger in as you start to push across the area. A trigger one is easier like the scotts Evengreen spreader.
           
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          • andrews

            andrews Super Gardener

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            I am always wary of this and do a circuit of the lawn with the guard stopping granules spreading to the right of centre. Is the guard a feature on all broadcast spreaders or was I lucky to buy one with a guard ?
             
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            • Liz the pot

              Liz the pot Total Gardener

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              Some do, some don’t. Some come with the ability to add a catcher container too so you can calibrate the output.

              Looking at this common one there is no guard.
              Scotts® EasyGreen™ Rotary Spreader

              Most of these do.
              Spreaders | Scotts

              lots of various makes on the market. A guard is a must on a broadcast spreader.
               
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                Last edited: Aug 13, 2019
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