Every gardener knows how challenging it gets when it comes to setting their spreaders correctly, especially Vigoro and Scotts spreaders. Among these spreaders, Vigoro offers easy adjustability of the dial by following a simple math equation, while Scotts spreaders are known to feature complex settings. But Scotts spreaders give you extreme precision, you need to spread seeds across your lawn evenly.
In contrast, considering the Vigoro spreader settings compared to scotts, Vigoro spreaders can beat Scotts and are ideal for beginner gardeners who find the spreader settings as complex as Einstein’s E=mc2.
That said, you don’t need to get lost while solving a perplexing equation when setting your spreader because this article will give you what you have been looking for, a simple, easy-to-understand guideline to adjust your spreader settings in no time. So, let’s read this content thoroughly.
Vigoro Spreader Settings Compared To Scotts: A Definitive Guide
Before getting into vigoro spreader settings vs scotts, let’s inform you that spreader’s settings vary from spreaders to spreaders. You need to adjust your spreader’s settings according to the fertilizer you want to spread across your lawn.
And The Lawn Forum experts suggest the same.
For instance, if you have a fertilizer product containing quite large pearls, depending on the spreader type, you may have to calibrate it to 3 to 5 for 3 lbs. of grains to put across 1000 sq. ft. of area. On the flip side, for comparatively small pearls, you don’t need to set that setting dial of your spreader so high.
Now, let’s get back to our main topic: the vigoro spreader settings vs scotts. According to our research, we haven’t found any noticeable differences regarding settings between these two spreaders from the reputed brands, vigoro, and Scotts.
We have seen that both spreaders’ settings are quite similar, except for one setting that makes them different, which we will talk about later in this article.
For now, let’s take a look at these tables mentioned below to let you get a better insight into spreader settings. We have prepared these tables based on two major spreader types: drop and broadcast, aka rotary spreaders.
Broadcast Spreader Table
| Spreader Range | Setting: 3lbs. /1000 sq. ft. | Setting: 4lbs. /1000 sq. ft. | Setting: 5lbs. /1000 sq. ft. |
| 1-10 | 2 ½ | 3 ½ | 4 |
| 1-18 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| 1-24 | 14 | 16 | 18 |
| 1-40 | 25 | 30 | 33 |
Drop Spreader Table
| Spreader Range | Setting: 3lbs. /1000 sq. ft. | Setting: 4lbs. /1000 sq. ft. | Setting: 5lbs. /1000 sq. ft. |
| 1-12 | 2 | 3 ½ | 4 ½ |
| 1-20 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| 1-30 | 13 | 15 | 17 |
Here’s another instance you may take a look at. We have used one Scott’s SpreedyGreen 3000 and a Vigoro 4300 spreader during our research. We have also chosen Scott’s Green Max Fertilizer for spreading purposes, and here’s the spreader setting we have found accurate.
To spread 3 pounds of grass seed across a 1000 sq. ft. lawn, we needed to adjust the dial setting to 4 for Scott’s SpreedyGreen 3000 and 5 for the Vigoro 4300 spreaders. This is the difference we wanted to disclose later in this article.
Now you know what setting you should apply depending on the spreader you are using. Still, it doesn’t guarantee extreme precision. So, you need to find out the exact setting for different types of fertilizers and spreaders. If you don’t know how, you may read the next section of this article.
How To Calibrate Spreaders: Uncover The Professional’s Secret & Apply The Easiest Method
Well, the rule of thumb to follow no matter what type of spreader you have is to go for the one-third method. For example, if your spreader has the highest setting of 15, one-third of that setting will be then 5.
Also Read: How To Use Vigoro Spreader To Apply Fertilizer On Your Lawn
After figuring out one-third of your spreader’s setting and setting it to that number, we recommend you pour 3 lbs. of fertilizers into the spreader’s hopper. Afterward, start walking along with the spreader at a normal pace across the already marked 1000 sq. ft. lawn.
When you are done, if you notice any leftovers, you need to set the spreader setting a bit higher. And if you see no fertilizer inside the hopper before covering a 1000 sq. ft. area, you need to set the adjust dial a bit lower. Hence, you see, it’s that much simpler.
Also Read: Scotts Wizz Spreader Not Working- Are Fixing Steps Easy?
However, you can choose a 100 sq. ft. test area to calibrate your garden spreader as it will help you save grass seeds. If you opt for this option, before spreading seeds, calculate the fertilizer you want to apply over 100 sq. ft. area.
A Helpful Tutorial You May Need!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How Do You Use The Vigoro Spreader?
To use a vigoro spreader, whether it’s handheld, broadcast, or drop spreader, first switch off the spreader and close the flow setting. Then, fill your required lawn fertilizer inside the bucket or hopper of the spreader.
Afterward, set the flow rate, and start pushing your spreader across the lawn. Try to make gentle passes, and pull the lever for even seed flowing down the yard. When you are finished, release the lever. That’s how you should use the Vigoro spreader.
What Setting Should My Grass Spreader Be On?
For the broadcast spreader, we recommend you follow either the one-third rule or you can go with setting 4. And if you use a drop spreader, try to start with 8 ½ and increase or decrease the setting if needed.
What Setting Should I Use On My Fertilizer Spreader?
We recommend you follow the setting written on the fertilizer packet. If that doesn’t help you out, you should apply the spreader calibration technique we discussed earlier in this article.
What Do Settings On Scotts Spreader Mean?
The settings on the Scotts spreader indicate the amount of fertilizer or grass seeds you will put down across a specific area. For instance, if you set it to 3 ½, your spreader will deliver 3.5 lbs. of seeds or fertilizer over your preferred lawn.
Final Words
Gardening is an aesthetically pleasing chore, and as a gardener, you want everything surrounding your home as visually appealing as possible. And that’s what a lawn spreader does; it provides you with a stronger and even-looking lawn, which is less prone to moss and weed attacks.
But this gardening gear can be a reason for ruining your lawn if you don’t know how to use it correctly or follow the wrong spreader setting while spreading grass seeds over your areas.
Anyway, we don’t want you to go through such a terrible experience and thus have created this article titled vigoro spreader settings compared to scotts, thinking it might help you with gardening.