How to Cut Your Fertilizer Rate in 1/2 With a Rotary Spreader

Rotary spreaders are wheeled push tools used to broadcast fertilizer granules as well as plant seed or soil amendments over a large area. An aperture at the bottom of the hopper controls how much fertilizer is released onto the rotary wheel, which spins as you walk along flinging out granules. All fertilizer labels include a recommended spread rate for that particular product so that you do not over-fertilize, which is never a good idea. Halving the spreader rate when applying fertilizer is a common practice. This is done either to provide a lighter than normal application of fertilizer or to apply a full dose in two separate passes over the same area to improve uniformity in coverage.

Fertilizer product of choice

Instructions

- 1
  Consult the product label on the reverse or side of your fertilizer container. Look for a table or written instructions that give the recommended rate of application for a rotary spreader.
- 2
  Choose the setting information for your brand of spreader or hopper size and note the corresponding letter or number.
- 3
  Reduce the setting to half way for your spreader. For example, if the fertilizer label recommends setting number 10, halve that and choose setting number 5. With alphabet setting controls, choose a letter halfway between what the fertilizer label recommends and the letter "A." For instance, if the label recommends setting "G," choose setting "D," as this is a halfway point.
- 4
  Adjust the spreader setting control lever or dial to the half rate setting letter or number derived at in Step 3.

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