Yardworks Spreader Settings (Chart + Guide)

While Yardworks spreaders are already well-known for their performance, you will still have to make sure you have put the right amount of material and set the right speed setting.

This way, you can get the best out of the spreader and get the job done without wasting any material.

But the only way to make sure it works is to learn about Yardworks spreader settings for different kinds of materials.

Yardworks Spreader Settings: Some General Rules

Fertilizers:

Set the spreader one or two notches above half. For example, if the spreader has 20 notches, set it to 11–12.

Grass Seed:

For best coverage, set the spreader to 50% and spread the seed in a crosshatch pattern. For overseeding, use a sowing rate of 35g per m2. For new lawns, use a sowing rate of 50g per m2. 

Yardworks Spreader Settings Chart: A Quick Guide

Whether you are using a Yardworks broadcast or drop spreader, the settings are pretty much the same. Because that’s how the company designs its spreaders. In the following chart, you will find various Yardworks spreader settings based on products:

Product	Settings	lbs./1000 sq. ft.
All America All Purpose Fertilizer 10-13-10	3	10
Bayer Complete Insect Killer	2	3
Bayer Grub Control	1.5	3
Bayer Lawn Fertilizer Plus Crabgrass Preventer 30-3-4	2	3.2
Bayer Lawn Starter Fertilizer 20-27-5	2	3.6
Bayer Power Force Multi-Insect Killer	1	2
Bayer Season Long Grub Control	2.5	3.8
Eliminator Ant, Flea & Tick Killer Granules	2	3
Eliminator 5% Diazinon Insect Killer Granules	2	2
Howard Johnsons All-purpose Fertilizer 8-8-8	2.5	7
Howard Johnsons All-purpose Fertilizer 10-10-10	2.5	7
Howard Johnsons All-purpose Fertilizer 12-12-12	2.5	7
Ironite 1-0-0	2	5
Klay Soft Pelletized Gypsum Soil Conditioner	2	4
Lesco Pre-M.80% Plus Fertilizer 25-0-7	2	4
Lesco Starter Fertilizer 18-24-12	2	4.2
Lesco Turf Fertilizer 21-2-11	2	4.2
Lesco Weed and Feed	2	4
Master Turf Ultimate Tall Fescue Blend	2.5	4
Milogranite 6-2-0	5	16
Miracle-Gro Lawn Fertilizer Plus Weed Control 28-3-3	2	3.2
Miracle-Gro Starter Lawn Fertilizer 20-27-5	2	3.6
Miracle-Gro Starter Lawn Fertilizer 29-3-4	1.5	3.1
Ortho Lawn Insect Killer Granules	2	4.8
Ortho Max Insect Killer for Lawns	2	4
Parkers Super Soilife Lawn & Garden Fertilizer 10-10-10	3	10
Parkers Super Soilife Lawn & Garden Fertilizer 16-4-8	2	6.5
Rebels Supreme Blend Grass Seed for Sun and Shade	2	10
Real-Kill Multi-Purpose Lawn and Garden Insect Killer	1.5	2
Ringer Lawn Restore 10-2-6	2	10
Sam’s Choice Crabgrass Preventer 30-3-4	3	6
Sam’s Choice Insect Control Plus Fertilizer 28-4-6	1.5	3
Sam’s Choice Lawn Food 29-3-4	2	3.2
Sam’s Choice Starter Fertilizer 20-27-5	3	6
Scotts Classic Grass Seed Fall Grass Seed Mix	3	4
Scotts Grubex	1.5	2.3
Scotts Grubex Season Long Grub Control	2	3.1
Scotts Lawn Fungus Control	2	2.7
Scotts Pure Premium Kentucky Bluegrass Mix	2	2.2
Scotts Pure Premium Sun & Shade Grass Seed Mixture	2	2.5
Scotts Starter Fertilizer 20-27-5	2	3.6
Scotts Turf Builder 28-3-8	2	2.7
Scotts Turf Builder Supreme Guard	2	2.7
Scotts Winterizer 22-1-1	1	1.3
Sevin Lawn Insect Granules	2	2.3
Sia-Green 200 Plus Weed & Feed 28-3-3	2	3.2
Sia-Green Lawn Weed Control	1.5	2
Sia-Green Starter Fertilizer 18-24-10	2	3.6
Sia-Green Weed & Feed 28-2-1	2	3.2
Spectracide Grub	2	3
Spectracide Triazicide Insect Killer Granules	1	3
Sun & Shade Grass Seed Mixture	4	10
Vigoro Insect Control Plus Fertilizer	1	3
Vigoro Starter Fertilizer	2	3.6
Vigoro Turf Fertilizer 29-3-4	1.5	3.2
Vigoro Ultra Turf Winterizer 22-3-14	1.5	3
Vigoro Weed & Feed	2	3.2
Walmart Garcens Kentucky Bluegrass Grass Seed	2	2
Walmart Weed & Feed 29-3-3	2	3.2

Why Is It Necessary To Understand Yardworks Spreader’s Settings?

You may stop and think about why it is so important to understand a spreader’s setting or why you need to follow the charts. Well, here is why:

Consistency In Application

If you are using a regular spreader, you cannot expect consistency in application.

But when you are using a Yardworks spreader and know which settings work best, you can rely on it to maintain consistency no matter what kind of material you are applying.

More Convenient

Maneuvering this spreader, especially if you have the right setting, is a lot easier. That makes using the right settings a more convenient way to spread materials.

Optimizes Application Rate

Once you have the right settings chosen, you get the job done without being required to fix the speed and only spread the required amount of material. As a result, you have less material wasted.

Time And Energy Saving

Using a Yardworks spreader with the right settings also helps you get the job done more quickly than usual and without costing much labor. So you save both time and energy when you know which setting would work best.

Yardworks Spreader’s Settings: Factors That Affect

The chart I mentioned above will give you a good result regarding spreading lawn materials. But why do you think they always end up with different settings and speed rates? Well, here are some reasons that affect the spreader’s settings:

Factor 1: Fertilizer/Material Type

The first thing that affects the setting is the type of material or fertilizer you want to spread. Since they are often different from one another, you need to adjust the settings according to their types so that you can achieve your desired application rate.

Factor 2: Spreading Pattern

Some spreaders spread materials in circular motions while others spread in rectangular motions. That is why it is necessary to understand the spreader’s spread pattern to apply the material accurately.

Factor 3: Walking Style

While it may not always seem important, the way you walk with the spreader also affects the settings. You need to maintain a slow but steady motion to maintain consistency.

Otherwise, it will not spread fertilizer evenly and cause waste of materials.

Factor 4: Weather Condition

The mentioned settings might not work if you are spreading in bad or rough weather conditions. But then again, why would you want to go around spreading on your lawn if the weather is that bad?

How Do You Calibrate a Yardworks Spreader?

Here are some more tips for calibrating a spreader:

Drop Spreaders:

Use a large sheet of plastic, cloth, or paper to capture all the material. Measure the area covered by multiplying the distance by the swath width. Collect and weigh the material on the sheet. Adjust the rate setting and repeat until the desired rate is achieved.

Rotary Spreaders:

To determine the effective swath width, place shallow cake pans or boxes a foot apart in a row that is wider than the anticipated spreader swath.

Milorganite Fertilizer:

Set the spreader so that the openings in the bottom are ¾ open when engaged. Put 6.5 pounds or 1/5 of a bag of Milorganite into the spreader. Begin fertilizing your lawn, starting along an edge, and continue until the spreader is empty. 

Final Words

If you own a Yardworks lawn spreader, then spreading any materials would become a lot easier if you know the Yardworks spreader settings.

I always advise calibrating the spreader beforehand to test which speed setting works best for a certain amount of material. This way you can do the rest of the calculation yourself.