Do you have a large garden plot? If so, you know that spreading an even layer of compost can be backbreaking labor. Thankfully, you can save time and effort with the right equipment.
The best compost spreader enables you to broadcast rich fertilizer evenly and easily. Continue reading to get the scoop on the top spreaders on the market.
Our Top Picks for Best Compost Spreader
Best Overall:
Buyers Groundskeep Walk-Behind Multi-Purpose Spreader
Best Light Duty:
Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader
Best Tow-Behind/Premium Option:
Newer Spreader Model 200
Best Budget Option:
Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Best Overall
Buyers Groundskeeper Walk-Behind Multi-Purpose Spreader
The Buyers Groundskeeper Walk-Behind Multi-Purpose Spreader is the best compost spreader for most gardeners. It comes standard with all the features you need for an even spread of nearly any material. The one caveat is that whatever material you put into the spreader has to be dry — it doesn’t work well with products with moisture in them.
The adjustable flow regulator enables you to control how much material you want to broadcast at once. This, combined with a three-setting deflector, gives you granular control of the spread pattern, rate, and distance.
This compost spreader is perfect for hobby homesteads and medium-sized gardens. The 1.6 cubic yard hopper with cover will serve you well through all-season use.
Pros:
- It features an adjustable flow regulator and deflector for the ultimate coverage
- The 1.6 cubic yard hopper comes with a watertight cover to keep materials dry
- The spreader can reach a maximum spread range of 24 feet
Cons:
- It can be difficult to push in heavy snow and thick mud
Best Light-Duty Spreader
Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader
The Landzie Lawn & Garden Spreader is a simple and durable push spreader that is fantastic for small gardens. This powder-coated steel broadcaster is lightweight and especially easy to use.
The Landzie spreader comes in four sizes so you can find the perfect capacity for your plot. The rotating mesh drum ensures that you will get an even spread with no lumps or clumps.
This is the best compost spreader for any light-duty application. The straightforward design has few moving parts, meaning it will last years of use before needing any repairs.
Pros:
- The simple design is easy to load and use
- The sturdy wire mesh hopper ensures an even distribution of compost
- This push spreader can also be towed behind tractors and lawnmowers at slow speeds
Cons:
- There is no spread range as this device deposits material directly underneath itself as it moves
Best Tow-Behind/Premium Option
Newer Spreader Model 200
Do you have an immense field that requires a tractor for tilling, sowing, and fertilizing in a timely manner? If so, you need a tow-behind option like the Newer Spreader Model 200.
The Spreader 200 is a ground-driven spreader equipped with a tarp cover, a steel agitator, and an adjustable flow regulator. This enables you to control the broadcast rate depending on what material you are spreading.
This sturdy machine is the best compost spreader for towing behind a tractor, riding mower, or ATV. The 13 cubic foot hopper holds enough material to evenly coat a medium-to-large plot of land.
Pros:
- The solid design and all-terrain wheels mean no worries about tire pressure
- The large hopper holds 13 cubic feet of material
- The durable agitator can handle dry manure and compost with ease
Cons:
- Wet material will get clogged
- Expensive
Best Budget Spreader
Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader
Do you need a reliable spreader that won’t break the bank? If so, look no further than Scotts Turf Builder Classic Drop Spreader.
Scotts is a trusted name in affordable lawn and garden care products. This plastic spreader is lightweight, inexpensive, and capable of handling almost any material you need to spread.
The 2.7 cubic foot hopper is spacious enough to handle most yards and gardens. This is certainly the best compost spreader for hobby gardeners who are on a budget.
Pros:
- This is an inexpensive option suitable for most backyard gardens
- The well-designed curved hopper and agitator guarantee consistent coverage
- The adjustable edge guard allows you to control where you broadcast
Cons:
- It is less durable than other, more expensive options
Best Heavy-Duty Spreader
Loyal Manure Spreader
Have the spreader choices so far not been large enough for your spreading jobs? Then this is the product for you!
The Loyal Manure Spreader is the best compost spreader for large fields and farms. This tow-behind spreader has a spacious 23-bushel hopper that can handle fertilizer, compost, manure, and more.
The innovative bear-claw beaters shred and spread material for even distribution. The ground-driven track moves these beaters consistently to optimize the spread rate without any hassle.
This manure spreader is best suited for larger operations with extensive fertilizing needs. The product comes fully assembled and ready to hitch up and start spreading.
Pros:
- The massive 23-bushel hopper can cover a 20-foot by 20-foot plot one inch deep
- The built-in shredder breaks down chunks of compost for easy spreading
- This spreader is highly maneuverable and easy to tow anywhere it needs to go
Cons:
- You must grease the fittings every six hours of operation to prevent damage to the gearbox
The Best Compost Spreader Buyers’ Guide
Not all of the best compost spreaders are built the same. You want to select the right one for your garden, and conducting a little research will help you decide.
The following shopping guide illuminates the top features that you should look for. Consider your circumstances and budget to determine which spreader has everything you need at a price point you like.
Capacity
The size of your growing plot determines how large of a spreader you should buy. If you have a massive field sown with a variety of homestead crops, you will need a high-capacity compost spreader. However, such an investment would be overkill for a modest backyard garden.
Most gardeners find a three cubic foot hopper is enough for their lawn and garden needs. This capacity can broadcast a thin layer of compost that covers a 200-square-foot area.
Heavy-duty compost spreaders can hold much more material, and the capacity is generally labeled in bushels. One bushel equals about 1.3 cubic feet or enough material to cover a four-foot by four-foot plot with a one-inch layer of material.
Spreader Range
The best compost spreaders have adjustable outlet valves that enable you to control the broadcast range. Simple and inexpensive spreaders might only have one method, so you should pay attention to the range.
The most straightforward broadcast method is drop spreading, which deposits material directly underneath the spreader. This is suitable for small areas that require an even layer of compost, fertilizer, or topsoil.
A more advanced spreader utilizes a spinning disk called a deflector that casts material out in a circle around the machine. These devices can be adjusted to spread a small radius, up to a range of more than 25 feet.
To Push or Tow?
If you already have a trusty tractor equipped with a tow hitch, you probably want to use it to spread compost. In this case, look for tow-behind compost spreaders that can make this process a breeze.
You probably don’t need this setup for most backyard gardens. You can successfully broadcast a small garden plot with a walk-behind multi-purpose spreader.
Attachments and Special Features
There are other unique features that you might want to look for in the best compost spreader. These include optional attachments like shredders, upgraded agitators, adjustable deflectors, and hopper extensions that enable you to broadcast a wider range of materials.
FAQ
Can you spread compost with a spreader?
Yes—most spreaders can handle heavy materials like compost and manure. Still, you should check with the manufacturer if you have any questions. There are a few light-duty spreaders that are built to only handle dry, granular material like rock salt and commercial fertilizer.
How do I choose a compost spreader?
To choose the best compost spreader, you must evaluate your needs and budget. The key attributes you should look for include capacity, spread range, mobility method, and special features like shredding agitators.
Once you understand which of these factors you need, it will be easier to decide on the right choice. Check out the shopping guide above to learn more.
How do you spread compost evenly?
Old-fashioned compost spreading is done using a wheelbarrow, a pitchfork, a rake, and some elbow grease. This method is reliable and cheap, but also labor-intensive and prone to uneven distribution if you aren’t careful.
A compost spreader is by far the best way to evenly spread materials like compost, manure, and fertilizer. These tools enable you to load up the hopper and go, leaving an even layer of compost without any fuss.
Choosing the Best Compost Spreader in 2023
A multi-purpose broadcaster is an essential piece of equipment for serious gardeners and homesteaders. After reading this comprehensive guide, you should know which is the best compost spreader for you. We recommend our first choice, the Buyers Groundskeep Walk-Behind Multi-Purpose Spreader.
Preparing rich soil for your garden is important when for growing healthy plants. You should master the composting process if you want better harvests with higher yields. Explore our Composting page to read more about forming the perfect fertilizer from your food scraps.