The 5 Best Peat Moss Spreaders – [Reviews & Rankings]

An efficient top-dresser will spread a variety of materials such as peat moss, sand, compost, topdressing mixes, calcined clay, infield mix, wood chips, lime, and de-icing materials on your lawn or in your garden.

Improving turf through proper topdressing has always been a key goal for amateur and professional gardeners, sports turf managers, golf course superintendents, and parks and recreation department heads around the globe (Source).

In this review, we will be looking at quality-built top dressers that won’t break the budget.

An efficient top dresser can be pulled easily, depending on size, by lawn and garden tractors, zero-turn mowers, compact diesel tractors, work carts, ATVs, and utility vehicles.

Some dealers offer self-propelled top-dressers as well as small push-type top-dressers. These machines work well in conjunction with turf aeration, such as linear aeration, and facilitate organic lawn care procedures.

Are you looking for a spreader that will make seeding much faster and efficient? While this is the case, seeding and fertilizer application on lawns are rather inefficient when done by hands. In this regard, you will need specialized equipment, such as a tow-behind spreader.

What Is A Peat Moss Spreader?

Peat moss spreaders are used for distributing peat moss over the topsoil. Peat moss is a significant component that is created using organic matter, such a sphagnum moss. With its help, the nutrients in the soil have longer retention.

As a result, peat moss helps plants, grass, etc., thrive. Upon spreading it over the soil, it gives the seeds moisture and nutrients that it has absorbed. Furthermore, it ensures that the seeds do not dry out or get washed away.

Spreading peat moss can be a headache without a relevant tool to help you. That is where a peat moss spreader comes to the rescue. Most peat most spreaders resemble a container attached to a handle, like a hand road roller.

Additionally, there is also a spreader that is designed to offer more control of flow for the fertilizers. Such machines also have a lever system. You can turn it on or off to close the perforated slit present in the container of such a spreader.

The container is filled with peat moss. Plus, it is perforated to let the moss distribute evenly when the spreader is rolled over the ground. The perforated filter also helps to separate large chunks of peat moss from the grainy ones for better productivity.

Comparing The Best Peat Moss Spreaders

1. Newer Spreader Model 200 Basic – Best Overall

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Every gardening enthusiast definitely needs this exceptional compost and peat moss spreader! Newer Spreader’s Model 200 Basic is a handy, portable, lightweight spreading device for your farm that can be pulled with a small garden tractor, four-wheeler, golf cart, or even a workhorse.

It’s an easy-to-use alternative to those heavy, expensive barn implements you’re used to seeing on farm equipment fairs.

Technical Specifications

Model 200 is manufactured of super lightweight, mill-finish aluminum and its aluminum body weighs just 125 pounds. When fully or partially loaded, this thing is well balanced. It delivers a smooth and quiet discharge of the peat moss and bedding.

When in operation, this model peat moss and compost spreader empties its precious load in about 300 feet and can hold up to 13 cubic feet of material, which is the equivalent of approximately 11 bushels.

Adjustable Relief Panel

Newer Spreader’s Model 200 Basic boasts a relief panel made of stainless steel. The relief panel holes are adjustable up to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. The panel allows you to adjust the size of the holes depending on the type of material that is being spread.

Some Extras

Our number one choice is also fitted with a split axle and drum assembly for added maneuverability and a 2-inch ball hitch that gives you more options for towing your spreader. The tarp helps protect your spreader from the elements and when it is not in use. This machine also has a galvanized steel agitator.

Dimensions

Newer Spreader’s Model 200 Basic is six feet long, four feet wide and it is 31 inches in height. It also measures six feet in length from the back of the spreader to the drop pin hitch in the front. Its width is measured from the outside of each tire.

Limited Shipment

Before proceeding with your purchase, please keep in mind that this peat moss and compost spreader is shipped out completely unassembled and only in the continental United States. On the plus side, assembly should not take more than 15 minutes.

2. Newer Spreader Model 125 – The Most Maneuverable Peat Moss Spreader

Essentially, our second pick is again a machine designed and manufactured by the engineers of Newer Spreader, but Model 125 is somehow nimbler and more maneuverable than its larger rival.

Extras Included As Standard

This incredibly efficient and compact compost and peat moss spreader come standard with the drop pin-style hitch and the 2-inch ball hitch. Together, these two cost $35.00! This unit also comes standard with the Tarp Cover! That’s a $70.00 added value!

But that’s not all, because Newer Spreader’s Model 125 also comes standard with their adjustable relief panel for extra versatility.

The agitator also comes as standard equipment with this unit. This panel has been designed to address the different consistencies of material being spread. We recommend trying different settings to see what will work best for your application.

Main Features

This machine is made of durable, but lightweight aluminum and weighs some 115 pounds. When this peat moss spreader if fully or partially loaded, balance is not an issue. The perfect balance guarantees smooth and quiet discharge of the substance that is being spread.

Because of its relatively smaller size, compared to its bigger brother, this peat moss spreader empties its load in about 200 feet. Its bucket holds eight cubic feet of material or approximately 7 bushels.

Dimensions

Model 125 is six feet long, four feet wide and two feet high. Its length is measured from the back of the spreader to the drop pin hitch in the front, while its width is measured starting from the outside of one tire to the outside of the other tire.

Limited Shipment

Just like its bigger brother, Model 125 is shipped out completely unassembled and only in the continental United States. On the plus side, assembly should not take more than 20 minutes.

3. Scotts Turf Builder Pro EdgeGuard Deluxe Broadcast Spreader – The Most Accurate Peat Moss Broadcaster

This supreme machine features Scotts’ exclusive EdgeGuard technology, while its control panel’s precision rate settings deliver more accurate coverage. It has been designed to ensure superior results whenever and wherever it is used. It holds up enough material to cover to 15,000 sq. ft. and is fully calibrated and ready to use

Wide Coverage

All Broadcast spreaders, including this model, throw peat moss and other material in a 180-degree swath, creating a wide coverage pattern while most drop spreaders are rather targeted.

Superior Results

Use the Scotts Turf Builder EdgeGuard DLX Broadcast Spreader to apply peat moss or fertilizer in spring, summer or autumn. The large hopper holds up to 15,000 sq. ft. of material and is delivered ready to use and pre-calibrated, so no assembly required.

Spreaders provide uniform coverage of all granular products, including peat moss. Without one, you may end up with uneven coverage of fertilizer or control products that can result in uneven feeding, weed, disease, or insect control.

In addition to spreading peat moss, this machine can also be used to spread grass seed in your lawn or to distribute ice melt on walkways and driveways.

4. Peak Seasons 25A 18″ X 24″ Green Compost Spreader – The Most Efficient Spreader

This is a very efficient compost and peat moss spreader. It features a perforated metal drum, while its diamond pattern grid completely encloses the unit.

Fast Peat Moss Distribution

Peak Seasons 25A is very easy to use. This is said to be one of the fastest commercially available devices for distributing finished compost and peat moss around your yard. In addition, it breaks up clumpy materials as it tumbles.

Some Considerations

There is a good reason why this peat moss and compost spreading unit occupies the penultimate spot on our list.

Users have reported that the drum’s door doesn’t swing open, but slides up inside the drum like a pocket door. This flaw in the spreader’s design causes the door to get jammed and get stuck whenever particles of peat moss or compost sticks in the channel needed for the door to slide open.

The second problem is that you must watch the loading door to be sure it doesn’t pop open on you while rolling. To avoid such accidents, just check the latch prior to using the device.

This is a common problem for most roller-based compost and peat moss spreaders, depending on which direction you push the roller. Still, it’s a handy device to own.

5. Seymour 85755 Compost Spreader, 24″ x 18″ – The Most Versatile

The Seymour 85755 peat moss and compost spreader weighs 24 lbs. and is 24 in. wide. It has a metal mesh basket with diamond-shaped ½-inch by ¾-inch openings.

Built For Versatility

This device works great with any type of bagged peat moss and fine ground compost. It’s just the ticket when spreading a topdressing for hand seeding.

Its design is all-metal construction and loads at the front face of compost spreader with a sliding compartment door for easy loading and cleanout. This lawn mulch roller can spread any fine ground compost with ease.

Perfect For Dry Materials

This push-type spreader is designed to spread dry materials that have under 30% moisture content. These materials are generally stored in bags in a dry area. In some areas with dry atmospheric conditions, this model can spread screened compost with moisture below 30%, but materials most commonly spread include calcined clay, dry bagged material and peat moss.

How Does A Peat Moss Spreader Work?

Peat moss spreaders comprise a container that has a perforated bottom attached to wheels on both sides. Furthermore, they include a lever that can be used for controlling the flow of the peat moss that comes out of the spreader.

Initially, the lever locks the perforated slit to keep the fertilizer inside the container. When you start the spreading process, you open the lever and set it to a specific flow level. As the spreader rolls over the ground, it keeps scattering the peat moss out.

When you need to stop spreading the fertilizer, you need to close the container slit with the help of the lever. That way, you can avoid wasting fertilizer.

Spreaders that are designed like handheld road rollers usually have a cylindrical container which is punctured with small holes all over. After filling them with peat moss, they can be moved around on the fields with their handles to scatter the fertilizer.

Besides using hands, some spreaders can also be towed behind garden tractors to cover large fields efficiently.

Can You Use Peat Moss Spreader For Other Purposes?

A peat moss spreader is a useful tool for spreading peat moss. However, that is not the only material this device can cover. Here are some materials that can be spread using this distributor.

• Other Fertilizer – Besides peat moss, fertilizers, such as manure, can also be easily spread using a peat moss spreader as the texture of the organic material is quite similar to peat moss. Therefore, you can fill up the compartment of the spreader with the desired fertilizer and distribute it over the field.

• Top Soil – Spreader can also be used for scattering topsoil in the fields, gardens, etc. Just fill it up in the machine and start rolling it over the ground to cover it up with the nutrition-rich soil.

• Powdered Pesticides – Certain pesticides that come in the form of powder can be circulated with a peat moss spreader.

• Seeds – Certain seeds of a particular size can also be spread using a distributor.

Besides distributing, a spreader can also be used for filtering powdered materials from granule ones. That way, if you require the use of the powder only, then you can separate the larger chunks from them.

Factors To Consider When Buying A Peat Moss Spreader

A peat moss and compost spreader can be a pricy purchase. Because its use is mostly seasonal, many farmers and amateur gardeners prefer to rent the machine, rather than buy it.

Yet, if you are planning to have one of these bad boys in your barn, here is what you should know:

1. Spreader Type

Select the spreader you need based on the area you will be treating. Broadcast spreaders throw products in a 180-degree swath, creating a wide coverage pattern.

Drop spreaders are more precise in material distribution. There are three basic types: walk-behind, hand-held, and drop spreaders.

The first type is great for areas over 5,000 sq. ft. the second modification is perfect to treat small areas under 5,000 sq. ft. A drop spreader is a good solution for medium-sized areas that need a precise application (such as heavily landscaped areas or tight curves).

Apart from peat moss spreader, water is vital to plant health, but watering by hand can be a hassle. In most irrigation scenarios, soaker hoses are considered to be the most efficient way to go.

2. Choose Models With Edgeguard

When engaged, it will block off the right side of the spreader pattern to prevent the product from spreading onto non-lawns areas.

3. Pick Up Multispread Model

When shopping for a compost and peat moss spreader, we encourage you to go for a multi-spread model, because of their tremendous versatility spreading a wide variety of materials with varying moisture content.

Spreading on all units of this series is tied to ground speed so that, after the metering gate is set, the output will be the same. That means a savings of materials due to accurate application rates.

4. Plan Your Budget

As we said above, many gardening enthusiasts prefer to rent a peat moss and compost spreader instead of buying one, and there is a good reason for that.

The prices of these gardening helpers start from around $170 for the simplest models and can go up to $1,600 for industry-class machines.

The purchase option is great if there isn’t a rental option available in your area and your neighbor doesn’t have one to lend to you.

Ready To Buy The Best Peat Moss Spreader?

Considering the fact that compost and peat moss spreaders are used twice a year at most, it is not a surprise that few farmers or amateur gardeners have one of these machines in their barns.

Maybe it is not a bad idea to consider purchasing one of the bad boys reviewed above. In view of the potential profit, you can make money renting it out to friends and neighbors in need.

Having read our highly informative review, you can now confidently set out on your shopping tour without wasting time making preliminary calls to hardware stores or browsing through a ton of bulky catalogs.

In addition, if you have a beautiful garden to tend to, what you need is the best hand-held spreader. It is an inexpensive way to maintain a garden healthy.