Can You Use A Salt Spreader For Grass Seed?

If you wish grass seeds to grow correctly and nicely on your lawn, it would be best to spread them properly. One way to do this is by using a spreader. However, there is a question most gardeners ask, and that is if you can use a salt spreader for grass seed. After thorough research, we have finally determined the answer.

You can utilize a salt spreader for grass seeds. Although you can use any type, it is wise to go for a dual-purpose salt spreader if you wish to achieve even and excellent seed distribution results. Additionally, note that fertilizer, seeds, and salt spreaders are all almost the same in appearance, especially regarding their purpose. 

One advantage of using a spreader is that you can modify its opening to control the number of seeds, salt, or fertilizer you want to distribute to the lawn. Please keep reading to know the types of salt spreaders, learn the things to consider before sowing, and learn how to do it properly. Let's delve into the details!

Is It OK To Use Salt Spreader For Sowing Grass Seeds?

grungy two wheeled plastic salt spreader parked outside a store sliding glass door with salt scattered on the sidewalk around it after a snow

As mentioned, it is possible to use a salt spreader to distribute grass seeds on your lawn. But the best choice you can use is a dual-purpose salt spreader. It is undoubtedly convenient, which makes it an excellent choice.

What Spreader Is Best To Use For Grass Seeds?

Manual walk behind grass seed spreader and bag of lawn fertilizer in a green residential backyard.

Below are the most chosen spreaders you can find on the market:

Drop Spreader

Drop spreaders are incredibly precise, allowing you to place fertilizer, salt, and grass seed in even quantities. Additionally, if you wish to achieve an entirely and evenly covered lawn, it would be best to ensure that you overlap the tire tracks. 

Furthermore, be aware the seed, salt, or fertilizer distribution will depend on how fast you walk as you do the task. 

What Are The Advantages Of Using A Drop Spreader

  • There will be less seed or fertilizer spilled on the sidewalks, driveways, and walkways.
  • Straightforward to operate.
  • You can easily and quickly avoid barriers and tight spaces, so it's ideal for lawns smaller than 5,000 sqft.
  • It helps you cover or sow the lawn in a regulated manner.
  • It is good that wind can hardly affect the distribution process.

What Are The Disadvantages Of Drop Spreader

Really, the major disadvantage is the drop spreader's size. Since it is a smaller piece of equipment, it will take longer to sow seeds, especially over a large surface area. Stick to teeny areas when using this spreader. 

Broadcast Spreader

In comparison to a drop spreader, a broadcast spreader covers more ground in a single pass. It spreads seeds in a fan-like sprawl. This distribution means that you might have sparse seeding around the lawn's edges. 

You can select between portable, handheld or walk-behind broadcast spreader types. The speed you can sow seeds using a drop spreader depends on the equipment's hole size and how fast or slow you walk. Also, you might need to double-back and overlap where you'd already spread seeds, so you can make sure to cover those thinly distributed edges. 

What Are The Advantages Of Using Broadcast Spreader?

  • Unlike drop spreaders, walk-behind broadcast models often have huge hopper capacities, requiring refilling less frequently. This will keep you sowing longer, decreasing the time it takes to get the job done by having to refill too often.
  • Remember those hard-to-reach edges? To solve that problem, you can equip a broadcast spreader with a side-shield accessory that enables better directional control. Essentially, you can redirect the "fanning" to one side or the other. 
  • Broadcase spreaders are ideal for larger lawns because of their broad coverage zone. 

What Are The Drawbacks Of Broadcast Spreaders

Broadcast spreaders can accidentally disperse grass seeds or fertilizer in undesirable areas. You might be sweeping to clean-up walkways, flowerbeds, roads, and sidewalks after sowing seeds with this equipment.

Can You Toss Grass Seeds In The Ground And Expect Them To Grow?

a hand full of grass seeds

Yes, to put it briefly. Although the seeds will germinate if thrown on the ground, germination rates will be substantially higher if you adequately prepare the soil. Additionally, another thing that can also affect the success and growth rate of the seeds is if you sow them appropriately.

Moreover, you must be aware that there are negative results this approach will give you. Sowing seeds by just tossing them in the ground will produce less than even coverage, and it can slow down seed germination. 

So, as much as possible, it would still be best to follow and execute the correct way of planting seeds. Correctly doing it will yield healthy, beautiful green grass. Although it will require much of your time, you can still say that the grass growth is worth all the effort.

How To Properly Sow Grass Seeds

Know that the first thing visitors or passersby notice is the curb appeal of your home, which grasses will enhance neatly and tidily. And to achieve such, it would be best to take your time and be meticulous with the grass seeds you will use. It is highly advisable to consider the aesthetic goals and environment. 

What Are The Things To Consider Before Planting Grass Seeds?

Fertilizer spreader on green grass background, Can You Use A Salt Spreader For Grass Seed

Below are the factors you should bear in mind before starting to sow grass seeds. It is crucial to observe the following to achieve your desired results:

Ensure Correct Soil pH

Keep in mind that nice grass starts with proper soil. It is actually the most crucial consideration. In general, turfgrasses do best in neutral soils. It would be great to perform a soil test and supplement it as directed to ensure great lawn results.

Click here to check out this soil pH tester on Amazon.

Avoid Weed Preventer Or Fertilizer

If you plan to grow grass on your lawn, it is highly advisable not to use weed and feed fertilizers and weed preventers. Applying weed killers at the same time as planting your grass seeds will not affect the seeds themselves but will instead destroy any young plants that have not yet germinated.

Additionally, you should only regulate the weeds after ensuring to mow grass seedlings a minimum of four times. 

What Type Of Grass Should You Use?

One important thing you should do is to examine the existing grass type in your yard to discover if it is suitable for reseeding. Also, choosing a turf that does well in your area would be best. Determining the care needs for the lawn would be of great help, too. 

You can locate the information on the grass's hardiness, sunlight needs, and drought tolerance on the seed packet.

In general, turfgrasses fall into two categories: cool-season and warm-season varieties. And the kind of grass you should have depends on where you reside.

Cool-Season Grass

Cool-season grass includes:

  • Ryegrass
  • Fine fescue
  • Kentucky bluegrass
  • Tall fescue

Familiarizing yourself with the grass seeds you are planting is a must. It is true, especially if you want the best outcomes possible for your cool-season grass. So, it would be great to bear in mind the following characteristics and tips:

  • Expect that cold-season grasses will go dormant during the hot season.
  • It is recommended to plant them from the middle of August through the middle of October. 
  • Typically require more frequent cutting than the other type.
  • They consist of sharp and long blades.
  • Thrive in the spring and the fall.
  • Cool-season grasses exist in a wide range of species.
  • Do well in climates with colder winters.

Click here to check out these Kentucky bluegrass seeds on Amazon.

Warm-Season Grass

The following are the popular types of warm-season grasses:

  • Bermuda grass
  • St. Augustine
  • Centipede
  • Zoysia
  • Bahia

To help you get the most out of your grass in hotter climates, take note of these attributes to know warm-season grasses better:

  • Know that you could sow them anytime between March and September, based on where you live and the climate. Best to grow them in summer.
  • Warm-season grass requires a warm climate all year round. However, mild winters can also be tolerable for them.
  • Expect them to have coarser and broader blades.
  • You can get their best appearance if you mow them short.
  • Warm-season grasses demand little irrigation, leaving them more drought-resistant than the other type.
  • If you wish to improve their color throughout the year, it is advisable to overseed them with annual grasses.
  • They go dormant during the cold season.
  • Optimal growth occurs at temperatures more than 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

Click here to check out this Wizz spreader and Zoysia grass seeds on Amazon.

Additional Grass Seed Sowing Tips 

If you are already sure about the proper condition of your lawn and you think it is ready for sowing, you can do the following:

  • Think about the activities happening on your lawn. Find a grass seed that can withstand heavy foot traffic and the wear and tear of children's play. Playgrounds, particularly the ground beneath swing sets and other playground fixtures, require a more durable turf.
  • Plant the grass seed in parts utilizing thread if you don't have access to a spreader. It's a handy tool for regulating how much seed to plant.
  • Gently compress the seeds by raking the dirt around them and walking throughout the growing medium.
  • Except if it rains, you should keep watering the seeds every day to help them germinate.
  • The ideal depth for planting grass seed is between 0.2 and 0.4 inches.
  • Lastly, if it is the first time to sow your lawn, it would be best to have a sowing rate of 50 grams per square meter.

Wrapping It All Up

Fertilizer spreader on green grass background

Grass seeds are straightforward to distribute on a lawn. However, if you wish to achieve even dissemination results, it would be best to prepare your yard, choose the appropriate grass seeds, and, most importantly, utilize a spreader to finish the task quickly.

You have finally made it to the end! We hope you find this post helpful. If you still have additional questions, please feel free to comment, and we will get back to you! To continue reading, you can check these related posts out!

Can You Spread Topsoil With A Spreader?

How To Rake In Grass Seed? [Step By Step Guide]

How Long Can Grass Seed Stay Dormant

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *