Lawn Spreader Settings

Our 4 step IFA program:

Step 1. Crabgrass Preventer, Step 2. Weed & Feed, Step 3. Spring & Summer, Step 4. Fall & Winter.

Get Ready to Fertilize

If you don’t remember how much fertilizer you need or haven’t calculated how much fertilizer your yard needs, start by determining the square footage of your yard then divide that number by 200 to get the number of pounds of fertilizer needed to cover your lawn.

Yard width (ft) × Yard length (ft) ÷ 200 = lb. = number of pounds needed

Keep in mind a 25 lb. bag will feed up to 5,000 square feet while the 50 lb. bag feeds up to 10,000 square feet. It’s a good idea to add 10% to make sure you don’t run out during the application. 

As with previous fertilizer applications, you should use a broadcast spreader for a more even fertilizer application. You can use the same spreader to apply different types of fertilizer, just remember that the recommended fertilizer applications rates may differ between products. 

If you don’t already have a broadcast spreader, The Home & Garden Store has several spreader options for you to choose from when you pick up your lawn fertilizer.

1. Set your spreader to the proper rate

Adjust your broadcast spreader to the correct setting to ensure the correct rate of application. There are many spreaders on the market, so be sure to adhere to specific guidelines for your specific make and model. Recommended Spreader Settings

· Earthway Drop: 17

· Earthway Broadcast: 17

· IFA Broadcast: 17

· Spyker Broadcast: 4.5

· Chapin All Season Broadcast: 20

· Scotts Elite Spreader: 7

· Scotts Classic Drop: 8

· Scotts EdgeGuard DLX: 8

· Scotts Edgeguard Mini: 8

· Scotts Speedy Green 1000/3000: 7

· Scotts Speedy Green 2000: 8

2. Apply uniformly to dry (non-wet) lawn

Be sure to overlap your walking paths to achieve uniform application and to avoid lines. As a general rule, open your spreader to one-fourth inch and walk normally. Keep in mind that if you walk faster you will want to open the spreader a little more to compensate for your stride. 

3. Water the lawn thoroughly soon after application

To best ensure that the fertilizer nutrients are absorbed by your grass you will want to thoroughly water the lawn shortly after applying. This will help the nutrients travel through the soil to be absorbed by the roots.

Add a Final Boost of Bountiful Earth Humate

When you apply step 4, (IFA Fall & Winter Lawn Food) it's also a great time to provide your lawn with a second round of Bountiful Earth Humate. 

As a recommended plus product for both step-one and step four of the IFA 4Plus Lawn Care Program, you will be amazed that "Bountiful Earth" humate soil treatment will elevate the overall appearance and productivity of your yard.

When you add Bountiful Earth Humate along with step-one and step-four IFA fertilizer, you are improving your soil’s water filtration and holding capacity while promoting easier, more effective nutrient movement to plant roots which will help your grass access and utilize the nutrients it needs to recover from insect damage and overwintering.

Adding Bountiful Earth Humate to your spring and fall lawn care routine can do more than encourage healthy lawn growth and appearance. The soil conditioner also benefits your trees, shrubs, flowers or gardens. By enhancing your soil’s health, you provide all your plants the help they need to become healthier and more productive.

Get Ahead: Additional Lawn Care Considerations

 Aeration

Lawn activity is usually highest during the summer months. While it is great to get out and enjoy your yard it can present the grass with some potential problems as the soil becomes compacted. When soil compacts, your grass loses access to air, nutrients and water due to a lack of channels that facilitate transport through the soil ultimately impacting your yard’s health.

One way to combat the compaction of your lawn’s soil is by aerating. Aeration involves removing small segments of the lawn to allow room for the soil to settle and open up. It is recommended to aerate in the fall or early spring to ensure better water filtration and nutrient availability throughout the year. The second way is to apply Bountiful Earth Humate 3 times/year for 2-years, then follow with 2 applications/year thereafter.

 Overseeding 

If you have noticed sparse or bare spots in your lawn and are looking to correct these you might consider overseeding. When overseeding you are simply introducing new grass seed to the lawn or bare spot and allowing this new grass to either thicken or repair your yard. We recommend overseeding at a rate of 5 pounds per 1000 sq. foot of area being overseeded. Some gardeners recommend less than 5 pounds/1000 sq. ft. and that great if you you are willing to wait for it to fill in.

Both fall and spring is a great time to overseed with cool-season grasses as long as you allow the seeds time to germinate before the first heavy frost in the fall or around March 15th in the spring. Planting new seed often promises warm soil and cooler air that is perfect for seed germination.  Never apply a pre-emergent within 60+ days of sowing seed.

 Conclusion

Not all chemicals and fertilizers are created the same!  We strongly believe in IFA and Ferti-lome products and highly recommend both of them. Both products were and are developed by farmers and change as new technology emerges. That’s why you'll only find these products at your favorite local garden center and not in the box stores. Garden centers/nurseries typically are more concerned about quality more than price, however you will always find that when you compare price to quality, they are very close in price. You'll find farmers throughout our region using Ferti-lome and IFA (Intermountain Farmers Association) products.