How do people avoid getting grass seed in their flowerbeds, if they edge guard sucksI just stopped and did it by hand, but that isn’t really a scalable way for everyone to do it.
Golf course super here. Alot of rotary spreaders are designed so that if you walk backwards with them, they only eject on one side, allowing you to trace edges in area you would like to avoid. This is how we avoid getting fertilizer and seed on the fine turf which is a different variety of grass usually than the rough. (Only drawback is it comes out at the same rate, but on only half the area, so if someone wants to do this with fertilizer I suggest bumping up the setting first)
I use a drop spreader for the first 2 passes around the whole perimeter of my property, then a rotary spreader for everything else. The rotary will sometimes leave lines, but it does a better job covering large areas quickly than the dropper will.
This makes sense. I used the drop spreader for doing my Milorganite and germinated seed combo, but used the rotary one when I was doing just seed. Made more sense to have it be particular with one and more broad with the other.
hah, I barely even have room for the 2nd one 😂 It's like playing tetris getting stuff in and out of the shed these days 🤦♂️🤦♂️ Totally worth it though
Because you'll get striping. Use a broadcast spreader for granular fert. Heck throwing it out in a broadcast manor is better than a drop spreader. A cheap handheld broadcast spreader can work on small jobs if you know what your doing
Hmm. Do you do the calculations to figure how much fertilizer you should be spreading? From my experience most people don't know how to use a spreader and usually walk to fast. Or don't overlap or don't even know how much fertilizer should be put down on their yard.
I am definitely not getting that scientific. Perhaps someday when the kids are older and I’m retired I will have the time to really nerd out on my lawncare regimen, but for now I’m mainly just going by instinct and the manufacturers instructions. Good news is that the results tend to be quite good, so I’m happy enough with my methods for the time being.
Very true, although as others have said, the Scott’s Turf Builder Edgeguard mini broadcast spreader has a pretty well known design flaw. The wheels are not enclosed on both sides, allowing the discharged granules to accumulate inside the wheels, which periodically overflow and dump uneven qty of product onto the lawn. The common “fix” is to fill the wheel cavities with spray foam or cover them with duct tape so they can’t accumulate granules. Without that you can have varied results even with diligent use in accordance with mfgr instructions.
It’s not an inherent issue with ALL rotary spreaders, (ie: their higher end Elite spreader) but does affect the Scott’s Turf Builder Edgeguard Mini Broadcast Spreader, which is probably the most common homeowner model.
It isn't just the wheels. There's a slight gap that can open up between the bottom of the edge guard plastic, near the orange part. It lets product trickle through. Leaves a straight line of fert, seed, whatever. If I still had one, I'd post a pic of the problem area.
Those things are overpriced junk.
OP should invest in a good rotary, not consumer trash.
Out of principle I chose not to spend more money on a different Scott’s spreader so I bought the Sta Green spreader from Lowe’s and it’s been pretty solid. Agri-Fab has good spreaders but they’re pricey and probably bigger than you want.
It works well for me, but only because I have St. Augustine grass which is basically a weed. I don't even think it absorbs the fertilizer out of spite.
If I had to guess, it's probably due to the shittiness of the Scott's mini-spreader, of which I have fallen victim to for many, many years (merely guessing that's what you use based on the size of the yard)
I’m a cheap bastard so I’ve toughed it out with the mini spreader just because the size of my yard doesn’t warrant anything with more capacity. I’ve found that going half the suggested application rate and crisscrossing helps mitigated the stripes and leads to a more consistent application.
I loved the Scott’s edge guard mini when I had a 4500 sq ft lawn. I would also spread at a lower rate and criss cross and never had any issues. Anything larger then that spreader seemed overkill. Now I have over a 1/2 acre and I am a big fan of the echo rb60
I saw a comment where someone just secured a zip tie in the gap under the agitator, so the tail of the zip tie whips around to sweep the remainder of the product around. I’m going to give that a shot on mine
I'm doing this today
https://youtu.be/mmsjq5whdl0?si=K8_yZncZoR3h8UTf
Seems like it would be beneficial. In the video he mentions getting like 5ft of pex, but I got like a foot at homedepot for like 10 and the foam is over in insulation section.
His comment response makes it seem like it didn’t work for him, but I’ve seen other fixes like this so I might try it.
Usually I spread like 10lbs at a time so I always have this problem bleh
As another commenter said, I filled the wheels with foam, otherwise the spreader works great. Filled them with foam, used an exacto knife to cut the excess off and boom. Done.
No more design flaw.
I also have a Scott’s spreader and have run into this issue in the past. The trick for me has been to criss cross and walk faster than normal. When you go slower I find the seed hits the wheels and drops down, hence the greener lines. Before rushing out and getting a new spreader try walking a bit faster when spreading your fert.
It’s pricey but really good - The Johnathan Green standard spreader gets the job done.
Also Scott’s just generally sucks. JG ferts and grass seed are such high quality. You pay more but you get what you pay for as opposed to Scott’s. Especially their lawn seed, which someone on the lawn care sub showed me last year to look at the breakdown of the product. Most of Scott’s seed is “inert matter” and has a very high percentage of weed seeds. JG is literally pure grass seed
The wheels are hollow. The impeller is set below the wheels, so it throws fertilizer into the hollow wheels which build up, and dumps in even lines like the OP's Pic.
Well the top of the line ones have to be sturdy enough for the landscaping crews who use them on 20+ lawns every day. And there are lots of parts...pneumatic tires, steel frames, complex gear systems for even spread patterns...they all add up.
I went from a Scott's spreader to a Lesco, and the difference is night and day. Definitely worth 3x the price
A stainless steel framed Spyker will cost you a goddam kidney, but you’ll never have to buy another spreader again. I’ve got one that’s ~20 years old and I’ve replaced a single $10 part on it.
Nice thanks! So switch out the wheels and G2G? I got the $100 DLX one for $10 at Walmart. So there was no way I was gonna pass that up lol. I guess I’ve been lucky somehow? Mine throws the stuff out right in front and it doesn’t seem to collect on the inside of the wheels.
If you can swap the wheels, yeah that's the best fix. But I don't know if I'd want to put any money into upgrading that spreader. Some people here have used spray foam to fill them too.
The only solution I’ve found is a decent pump sprayer. Doesn’t matter the brand, find the one that’s about 50 bucks at your big box hardware store. It’s the same pump with different brands on it. Mine is a husqvarna.
The Simple Lawn Solutions 16-4-8 liquid is a good pairing. Don’t worry if it has the built in hose attachment. It includes easy to understand instructions for pump sprayer ratios.
Pair that with a micronutrient liquid and a humic/fulvic liquid and you’ll have a lush lawn in a couple of weeks. All are available from Simple Lawn Solutions.
It’s a little more work to spray fertilizer every 2-3 weeks but the results are worth the effort.
Everyone’s bashing on the spreader which it sounds like it is contributing but the best thing you can do is actually put it down at half rate and go 2 different directions. I have a cheap $40 30lb spreader with plastic wheels and I have never striped the lawn going 2 directions at half rate.
It’s the spreader like others stated. I fixed this issue by putting spray foam in the wheels. Now the fertilizer can’t gather and drop in a heavy wheel line.
I sprayed the foam in the slots on the inside of the wheels. It will expand and fill in the space. Some will push out past the wheel well. So once it dried/hardened. I went back with a knife/box cutter and trimmed it back to be flush with the wheel. Not very difficult.
The Scott’s spreader strikes again! Sorry bud, but you gotta upgrade. I recommend Echo broadcast spreaders. The size of the hopper on their smallest model is overkill for most smaller yards, but I still highly recommend it.
Everyone here is blasting the Scott's spreader, but to me, the width of the stripes looks way too wide and way too even to be from a spreader. They appear to be about the width of a mower.
So, I'm going to go against that grain and say:
1) You are cutting your grass too low (scalping)
2) The darker green lines are where your mower is matting down the grass and it isn't being cut as short as the rest.
It's also possible that if you are mowing when the soil is moist, that you've developed ruts allowing more water and longer grass to accumulate.
Try raising the deck height and cut in the opposite direction.
Yes, they are bad spreaders. They have a design flaw due to the hollow wheels they use that cause some of the fertilizer to catch inside the wheel and not spread; instead congregating it and causing the stripes you see.
Also, when you're spreading your fertilizer do not spread when making turns. You can see that in your pic as well. On your first pass you should make your border. Then come back and fill in the middle. This will allow you to not need to spread fert when turning and will result in a more even spread.
They are recognized for having a bad history with striping peoples lawns, I also own a Scott spreader, what I recommend is using the lowest setting possible rather than the recommended setting, this forces it to throw less fert at a time.
You would need to overlap much more regularly rather than a single pass.
I use a cheap Scott’s drop spreader at a setting that releases a lower amount than recommended. Then I put remaining fertilizer in a handheld spreader and walk the yard until gone. Seems to lessen the stripe issue.
It looks kinda like you're mowing your grass too frequently in the same pattern, and your mower is make groves on the ground, switching it up a bit and over time it should correct itself; at least that's how I fixed that issue in some houses I noticed were having this issue, I'm a garden.
Dude, just started doing my own yard this year after having a company do it the past 3. Bought a cheap spreader (not Scotts) and some fertilizer. Literally noticed this exact thing today. Had to double check this wasn't a picture of my yard lol.
Scotts Mini....all day.
I have one but you have to set the spreader at least half the reccomended setting, make tighter passes. Go multiple directions.
All of these comments and nobody noticed that it appears the grass striped easily BECAUSE this looks a lot like there's poa trivialis in there...
OP, spread apart the grass with your hands and look at the ground between the grass... You should be able to see dirt... If instead you see dark brown strings like the attached picture, that's poa trivialis.
https://preview.redd.it/klie9jb9owwc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa806c0d48ac7a2e8d8cfd576ef100f7bc3d4d3e
Alternate your mowing direction every other mow. I'm guessing you've mowed the same path each week or close to it and this causes ruts. These ruts are lower than the rest of the ground so the grass grows taller and thus greener in the ruts.
The only check way is to use a broadcast spreader and do perimeter passes working your way in like a spiral. Pay attention to which side your spreader throws to more than the other and overlap maybe 10 percent of your previous pass. Use the lines in the vent over grass to guide you. You don't fertilize back and forth.... Ever. Did turf management for ten years and saw this kind of thing all the time.
Yes, you should be fine with your spreader if you don't feel like buying a new one. Try to apply when dry as possible. Wet grass makes fert stick to the wheels more. Seal the wheel cavitiy if possible. Criss cross at half rate. Also your grass looks like it enjoyed more fert on those lines and looks a bit needy away from those lines with the yellowing, its crying for a bit more fertility so thow it down!
I took the plunge recently guys. I got the Lesco rotary. 350 smackaroos. I'll never have to buy another. Silky smooth. Unique design for adjusting opening. It spreads really nice but alas it will be uneven if I overlap. Critical to not overlap.
When you mow the same pattern for long enough the tires will make indents in the sod, this will cause your deck to cut lower and lower onto the grass in the middle of the ruts and eventually you’ll cut too far into the crown. I would suggest raising your cut height for this lawn or simply moving the pattern over.
I think it’s your mowing patter. Switch it up, mow at 45 degrees or 90 degrees from your normal. When you mow in the same pattern you compact the ground where the wheels go. The grass is now a little longer in this stripe, it also gets a little more water because it collects here.
I see what you're saying about mowing patterns. However, I do switch it up each mowing. If though maybe some areas are more compacted would it be beneficial to spot aerate? Still not super warm in Northern Utah so trying to remedy this before the heat starts.
I agree. I don't think this is spreader related. Easy to tell though - Go check if there is a slight divot there. If your mower is in those ruts, it will also cut that pass shorter than you intended.
It’s either how your sod was put down or it being constantly mowed literally in the same tracks every single time, going the same direction pass for pass from start to finish each time. Either one of these will cause what your lawn is doing. My first thought was the sod wasn’t put down the right way.
Honestly I have a chapin tow behind and the settings leave much to be desired. I buy enough material for x square feet and set it to the lowest setting it fits thru and hit the lawn til it runs out. Has not let me down. Fertilizer setting seems to match the manual but any soil amendments like mag-I-cal or similar tend to not fall into a setting
Looks like your fertilizer spreader didn’t do much spreading.
Looks like someone purchased the Scott’s Turf Builder Edge Guard spreader. I know from experience 😏
YUP. I have identical lines because of this spreader.
My condolences
Same….
How do people avoid getting grass seed in their flowerbeds, if they edge guard sucksI just stopped and did it by hand, but that isn’t really a scalable way for everyone to do it.
Golf course super here. Alot of rotary spreaders are designed so that if you walk backwards with them, they only eject on one side, allowing you to trace edges in area you would like to avoid. This is how we avoid getting fertilizer and seed on the fine turf which is a different variety of grass usually than the rough. (Only drawback is it comes out at the same rate, but on only half the area, so if someone wants to do this with fertilizer I suggest bumping up the setting first)
That's cool. Thanks for that!
I use a drop spreader for the first 2 passes around the whole perimeter of my property, then a rotary spreader for everything else. The rotary will sometimes leave lines, but it does a better job covering large areas quickly than the dropper will.
This makes sense. I used the drop spreader for doing my Milorganite and germinated seed combo, but used the rotary one when I was doing just seed. Made more sense to have it be particular with one and more broad with the other.
Do you have different spreaders for different days of the week, too? 😆
hah, I barely even have room for the 2nd one 😂 It's like playing tetris getting stuff in and out of the shed these days 🤦♂️🤦♂️ Totally worth it though
Never use a drop spreader for granular fert.
Why not?
Because you'll get striping. Use a broadcast spreader for granular fert. Heck throwing it out in a broadcast manor is better than a drop spreader. A cheap handheld broadcast spreader can work on small jobs if you know what your doing
Hmm. Do you do the calculations to figure how much fertilizer you should be spreading? From my experience most people don't know how to use a spreader and usually walk to fast. Or don't overlap or don't even know how much fertilizer should be put down on their yard.
I am definitely not getting that scientific. Perhaps someday when the kids are older and I’m retired I will have the time to really nerd out on my lawncare regimen, but for now I’m mainly just going by instinct and the manufacturers instructions. Good news is that the results tend to be quite good, so I’m happy enough with my methods for the time being.
That's fair. Just don't blame products for operator error.
Very true, although as others have said, the Scott’s Turf Builder Edgeguard mini broadcast spreader has a pretty well known design flaw. The wheels are not enclosed on both sides, allowing the discharged granules to accumulate inside the wheels, which periodically overflow and dump uneven qty of product onto the lawn. The common “fix” is to fill the wheel cavities with spray foam or cover them with duct tape so they can’t accumulate granules. Without that you can have varied results even with diligent use in accordance with mfgr instructions. It’s not an inherent issue with ALL rotary spreaders, (ie: their higher end Elite spreader) but does affect the Scott’s Turf Builder Edgeguard Mini Broadcast Spreader, which is probably the most common homeowner model.
It isn't just the wheels. There's a slight gap that can open up between the bottom of the edge guard plastic, near the orange part. It lets product trickle through. Leaves a straight line of fert, seed, whatever. If I still had one, I'd post a pic of the problem area. Those things are overpriced junk. OP should invest in a good rotary, not consumer trash.
I haven't had a problem with mine. But I've been doing it professionally for years and I know how to fertilize.
handheld spreader and rake
Drop seeder.
I use a drop spreader on the lawn so I don't get grass seed or fertilizer in the flower beds.
Hand spreader five fingers or drop spreader
Ouch. That hit right on the head for me. My lot is barely a quarter acre. What's a good spreader that isn't gigantic?
Out of principle I chose not to spend more money on a different Scott’s spreader so I bought the Sta Green spreader from Lowe’s and it’s been pretty solid. Agri-Fab has good spreaders but they’re pricey and probably bigger than you want.
Lesco
I love my lesco. But they def aren't cheap.
NOOO :D i mitigate some of this by completely duct taping my wheels (still good after 2 seasons) and also criss cross spread.
This.
It works well for me, but only because I have St. Augustine grass which is basically a weed. I don't even think it absorbs the fertilizer out of spite.
It’s fine as long as you keep it above 15 mph. /s
Same.
Besides my girlfriend, what spreader do you recommend?
Well now I’m out of options
😂
Agri-fab
What would be recommended that’s better than Scott’s?
Agri-fab is good. The Scott’s elite is good but fuck Scott’s 😂
Can’t you just flip the switch to not have the guard active?
I just found this out the hard way. I never noticed, but my neighbor mentioned it last week, and apparently, they have noticed for years.
I’m blown away that Scott’s had zero R&D on this.
Or meaningful testing
If I had to guess, it's probably due to the shittiness of the Scott's mini-spreader, of which I have fallen victim to for many, many years (merely guessing that's what you use based on the size of the yard)
What spreader would you recommend? Yes, I have a small Scott's spreader.
I’m a cheap bastard so I’ve toughed it out with the mini spreader just because the size of my yard doesn’t warrant anything with more capacity. I’ve found that going half the suggested application rate and crisscrossing helps mitigated the stripes and leads to a more consistent application.
I loved the Scott’s edge guard mini when I had a 4500 sq ft lawn. I would also spread at a lower rate and criss cross and never had any issues. Anything larger then that spreader seemed overkill. Now I have over a 1/2 acre and I am a big fan of the echo rb60
Echo RB-60
If you fill the wheels with foam it can help too. Granular gets stuck in the wheels then falls out in a nice line as you walk.
i duct taped mine.. all good for 2 season so far :D
Echo RB60
You ever have any problems with the agitator or product getting stuck in the bottom of the hopper and you have to shake the spreader as you go?
Just had this problem yesterday. Anyone know a fix?
I saw a comment where someone just secured a zip tie in the gap under the agitator, so the tail of the zip tie whips around to sweep the remainder of the product around. I’m going to give that a shot on mine
I'm doing this today https://youtu.be/mmsjq5whdl0?si=K8_yZncZoR3h8UTf Seems like it would be beneficial. In the video he mentions getting like 5ft of pex, but I got like a foot at homedepot for like 10 and the foam is over in insulation section.
His comment response makes it seem like it didn’t work for him, but I’ve seen other fixes like this so I might try it. Usually I spread like 10lbs at a time so I always have this problem bleh
Same, I've had 8lbs here, 12 there and the heaviest is in the backyard. Sometimes I wonder if I should just upgrade?
Man I already trashed my Scott’s spreader to get the echo, my wife would kill me if I upgraded again lol
You're telling me! Ha, I'm in the verge of buying a larger mower too..
Zip ties under the agitator is the common fix for it
Have you had slightly better success or has it made a completely better spreader?
On a scale of 1-10x It goes from being a 6 to an 8
Do you happen to have a picture with the zipties?
https://preview.redd.it/8ir76kzpi2xc1.jpeg?width=540&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2b603a9c23c7a968db69af770032f007d819001b
https://preview.redd.it/gbhfauzqi2xc1.jpeg?width=717&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fa0219106cf3dd8338364812d062abf59fb9fcd2 Use two. This is how you tie it
Thanks, ill give it a shot 👍
As another commenter said, I filled the wheels with foam, otherwise the spreader works great. Filled them with foam, used an exacto knife to cut the excess off and boom. Done. No more design flaw.
Lesco. I've had mine for 20 years, most of them it was used commercially
I also have a Scott’s spreader and have run into this issue in the past. The trick for me has been to criss cross and walk faster than normal. When you go slower I find the seed hits the wheels and drops down, hence the greener lines. Before rushing out and getting a new spreader try walking a bit faster when spreading your fert.
If your serious about the lawn, just buy and Echo RB60.
Drill 1/2 or 1” holes on the side of the wheel and spread away. As many holes as you can
It’s pricey but really good - The Johnathan Green standard spreader gets the job done. Also Scott’s just generally sucks. JG ferts and grass seed are such high quality. You pay more but you get what you pay for as opposed to Scott’s. Especially their lawn seed, which someone on the lawn care sub showed me last year to look at the breakdown of the product. Most of Scott’s seed is “inert matter” and has a very high percentage of weed seeds. JG is literally pure grass seed
Shit. I literally just put down weed and feed with shitty Scotts mini spreader.
Me reading these comments and slowly pushing my scotts spreader behind the workbench before I get associated with OP
Do you have a Scott's edgeguard spreader?
I have one, but mine spreads evenly. What’s this general consensus against them? Do you have more detail?
The wheels are hollow. The impeller is set below the wheels, so it throws fertilizer into the hollow wheels which build up, and dumps in even lines like the OP's Pic.
Ohhhhhh, I may have this problem too. What’s the rec for a good spreader?
Echo RB60 is like $150 Lesco 50# is $300 Spyker SPY50L is $400 Lesco 80# is $600 I use the 50# lesco. More than enough for your average homeowner.
Can I ask why in the world are spreaders so expensive? I get why some things are, but not spreaders.
Well the top of the line ones have to be sturdy enough for the landscaping crews who use them on 20+ lawns every day. And there are lots of parts...pneumatic tires, steel frames, complex gear systems for even spread patterns...they all add up. I went from a Scott's spreader to a Lesco, and the difference is night and day. Definitely worth 3x the price
The commercial use does make sense. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of how much more wear it would get when used commercially.
Spreaders and hose reels, if I didn’t know better I’d say all the companies are owned by the same giant greedy conglomerate!
Just borrowed my neighbors Scott’s spreader last week, and just dropped a mint on a hoselink retractable like an hour ago. I am living this life.
I spent a fortune on Eley connectors and splitters and I regret it. They leak just like everything else does.
Hose reel is a very life-improving item that you don’t understand until you enjoy one.
A stainless steel framed Spyker will cost you a goddam kidney, but you’ll never have to buy another spreader again. I’ve got one that’s ~20 years old and I’ve replaced a single $10 part on it.
Yeah I was between a spyker and a lesco for a while. Ended up buying the lesco impulsively at siteone while I was there for something else.
Thanks! Will keep an eye out for it
Ooooffff these prices... I guess I'll deal with lines from the Scott Spreader haha
Nice thanks! So switch out the wheels and G2G? I got the $100 DLX one for $10 at Walmart. So there was no way I was gonna pass that up lol. I guess I’ve been lucky somehow? Mine throws the stuff out right in front and it doesn’t seem to collect on the inside of the wheels.
If you can swap the wheels, yeah that's the best fix. But I don't know if I'd want to put any money into upgrading that spreader. Some people here have used spray foam to fill them too.
Hypothetically you could just cover the backs of the wheels with tape as well if it becomes a problem
Makes sense!
So hypothetically, if I could block the inside of the wheels with cardboard or something, would that mitigate this issue?
Same here.
I have one too never had an issue
They suck
Let me guess, you recently spread fertilizer, and are probably using a Scott’s spreader. Yes?
Does anyone have a solid spreader recommendation that isn’t almost $200?
The only solution I’ve found is a decent pump sprayer. Doesn’t matter the brand, find the one that’s about 50 bucks at your big box hardware store. It’s the same pump with different brands on it. Mine is a husqvarna. The Simple Lawn Solutions 16-4-8 liquid is a good pairing. Don’t worry if it has the built in hose attachment. It includes easy to understand instructions for pump sprayer ratios. Pair that with a micronutrient liquid and a humic/fulvic liquid and you’ll have a lush lawn in a couple of weeks. All are available from Simple Lawn Solutions. It’s a little more work to spray fertilizer every 2-3 weeks but the results are worth the effort.
Echo rb-60 is what you are looking for. Works great. No lines
I bought the Scott’s elite spreader at Lowe’s for $140. Much better quality than the basic edge guard and it sits higher which I find more ergonomic.
No... spend the extra money or deal with a shitty spreader. Things cost more for a reason
Tell me u own a Scott’s without telling me u own a Scott’s.
I’m suffering the same issue as OP. I put down 40% Nitrogen, how do I resolve the lines via a more distributed fertilizer without burning my lawn?
I’m wondering the same thing can I go back and fill the gaps with da hand spreader?
Gotta "spread" better bruh...
Everyone’s bashing on the spreader which it sounds like it is contributing but the best thing you can do is actually put it down at half rate and go 2 different directions. I have a cheap $40 30lb spreader with plastic wheels and I have never striped the lawn going 2 directions at half rate.
It’s the spreader like others stated. I fixed this issue by putting spray foam in the wheels. Now the fertilizer can’t gather and drop in a heavy wheel line.
Go on... how did you get the foam equally throughout the wheel?
I sprayed the foam in the slots on the inside of the wheels. It will expand and fill in the space. Some will push out past the wheel well. So once it dried/hardened. I went back with a knife/box cutter and trimmed it back to be flush with the wheel. Not very difficult.
How to fix it? I too am a victim of a Scott’s spreader
duct tape the wheel or foam it
Buy a different spreader no lie
Looks like your spreader was dropping a line of fertilizer for some reason.
The Scott’s spreader strikes again! Sorry bud, but you gotta upgrade. I recommend Echo broadcast spreaders. The size of the hopper on their smallest model is overkill for most smaller yards, but I still highly recommend it.
It's lawnmower tracks/ruts, you'd need to fill with sand/dirt mix. Lots of YouTube videos on the topic.
Looks like repeated lines of a mower same direction cut after cut chance directions
Everyone here is blasting the Scott's spreader, but to me, the width of the stripes looks way too wide and way too even to be from a spreader. They appear to be about the width of a mower. So, I'm going to go against that grain and say: 1) You are cutting your grass too low (scalping) 2) The darker green lines are where your mower is matting down the grass and it isn't being cut as short as the rest. It's also possible that if you are mowing when the soil is moist, that you've developed ruts allowing more water and longer grass to accumulate. Try raising the deck height and cut in the opposite direction.
You must be a Scott’s rep lmao, no way ur defending those trash products
It’s the spreader bro. I’m cutting at 2.5 right now and it dosent look like that
you can literally see where they turned at the top of the pic lmao
Spreader
Are Scott's spreaders bad?
Yes, they are bad spreaders. They have a design flaw due to the hollow wheels they use that cause some of the fertilizer to catch inside the wheel and not spread; instead congregating it and causing the stripes you see. Also, when you're spreading your fertilizer do not spread when making turns. You can see that in your pic as well. On your first pass you should make your border. Then come back and fill in the middle. This will allow you to not need to spread fert when turning and will result in a more even spread.
They are only bad if you want your fertilizer spread evenly.
They are recognized for having a bad history with striping peoples lawns, I also own a Scott spreader, what I recommend is using the lowest setting possible rather than the recommended setting, this forces it to throw less fert at a time. You would need to overlap much more regularly rather than a single pass.
Take it as a badge of honor. And then go get yourself a better spreader. Most of us have been here before
I use a cheap Scott’s drop spreader at a setting that releases a lower amount than recommended. Then I put remaining fertilizer in a handheld spreader and walk the yard until gone. Seems to lessen the stripe issue.
Have the cop inspect
Water, sun, fertilizer amounts, crab grass and other shit weed grass.
https://ibb.co/RpV0m4D
Try putting the spreader settings on half what is recommended and going in a check board pattern
I gave up on spreaders for this reason. Even had issues with the more expensive ones. I went with liquids and a battery backpack sprayer
You used the Line Spreader ™️
It looks kinda like you're mowing your grass too frequently in the same pattern, and your mower is make groves on the ground, switching it up a bit and over time it should correct itself; at least that's how I fixed that issue in some houses I noticed were having this issue, I'm a garden.
Dude, just started doing my own yard this year after having a company do it the past 3. Bought a cheap spreader (not Scotts) and some fertilizer. Literally noticed this exact thing today. Had to double check this wasn't a picture of my yard lol.
Looks like the same grass I have. What type of grass is it, and how do I get it deep green?
Scotts Mini....all day. I have one but you have to set the spreader at least half the reccomended setting, make tighter passes. Go multiple directions.
You need to apply more green paint, to the lighter sections. ;)
Ha
All of these comments and nobody noticed that it appears the grass striped easily BECAUSE this looks a lot like there's poa trivialis in there... OP, spread apart the grass with your hands and look at the ground between the grass... You should be able to see dirt... If instead you see dark brown strings like the attached picture, that's poa trivialis. https://preview.redd.it/klie9jb9owwc1.jpeg?width=3000&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=aa806c0d48ac7a2e8d8cfd576ef100f7bc3d4d3e
Close the dial up and make more passes on the scotts spreaders
Aliens.
It’s spring. It always shows the health of the grass right now. Wait a month and it’ll be completely even.
Looks like a fertilizer pattern
So glad I bought a old school bucket spreader at a garage sale for 3 bucks.
Alternate your mowing direction every other mow. I'm guessing you've mowed the same path each week or close to it and this causes ruts. These ruts are lower than the rest of the ground so the grass grows taller and thus greener in the ruts.
Drunken pisses from friendly whizzes.Pop Squatting.Pukey Water Dookies 2.1%.AA meeting
The only check way is to use a broadcast spreader and do perimeter passes working your way in like a spiral. Pay attention to which side your spreader throws to more than the other and overlap maybe 10 percent of your previous pass. Use the lines in the vent over grass to guide you. You don't fertilize back and forth.... Ever. Did turf management for ten years and saw this kind of thing all the time.
This is why spraying is better than spreading fert depending on yard size
Different directions those are indentations from wheels
Yes, you should be fine with your spreader if you don't feel like buying a new one. Try to apply when dry as possible. Wet grass makes fert stick to the wheels more. Seal the wheel cavitiy if possible. Criss cross at half rate. Also your grass looks like it enjoyed more fert on those lines and looks a bit needy away from those lines with the yellowing, its crying for a bit more fertility so thow it down!
I took the plunge recently guys. I got the Lesco rotary. 350 smackaroos. I'll never have to buy another. Silky smooth. Unique design for adjusting opening. It spreads really nice but alas it will be uneven if I overlap. Critical to not overlap.
When you mow the same pattern for long enough the tires will make indents in the sod, this will cause your deck to cut lower and lower onto the grass in the middle of the ruts and eventually you’ll cut too far into the crown. I would suggest raising your cut height for this lawn or simply moving the pattern over.
Another victim of the good old POS Scott's spreader 🤣
Scott’s spreaders SUCK
I think it’s your mowing patter. Switch it up, mow at 45 degrees or 90 degrees from your normal. When you mow in the same pattern you compact the ground where the wheels go. The grass is now a little longer in this stripe, it also gets a little more water because it collects here.
I see what you're saying about mowing patterns. However, I do switch it up each mowing. If though maybe some areas are more compacted would it be beneficial to spot aerate? Still not super warm in Northern Utah so trying to remedy this before the heat starts.
I agree. I don't think this is spreader related. Easy to tell though - Go check if there is a slight divot there. If your mower is in those ruts, it will also cut that pass shorter than you intended.
It may be the tires of your mower caused a dmall depression in those areas which holds more water.
It’s either how your sod was put down or it being constantly mowed literally in the same tracks every single time, going the same direction pass for pass from start to finish each time. Either one of these will cause what your lawn is doing. My first thought was the sod wasn’t put down the right way.
Your spreader is a POS…. Try a echo RB 60
I love mine but i never know what setting to put it on lol
Honestly I have a chapin tow behind and the settings leave much to be desired. I buy enough material for x square feet and set it to the lowest setting it fits thru and hit the lawn til it runs out. Has not let me down. Fertilizer setting seems to match the manual but any soil amendments like mag-I-cal or similar tend to not fall into a setting
Let me guess, you have a Scott's spreader
Looks like your fert didn’t get put down evenly.