Perpendicular Passes
A technique where you apply product in two separate passes at 90-degree angles to each other — for example, north-south first, then east-west. Each pass uses half the total product. This technique ensures even, uniform coverage and eliminates the streaks or gaps that can occur with a single-direction pass.
Perpendicular passes are the professional standard for broadcast spreader use. Rather than trying to space your rows perfectly in one direction, you apply half the product in one direction and the other half crossing at right angles. Any thin spots in one pass are covered by the crossing pass.
How to do it:
- Set your spreader to half the recommended rate (or close the hopper to the halfway setting).
- Apply the product walking in one direction (e.g., north to south) across the entire area.
- Refill if needed to ensure you have enough for the second pass.
- Apply the second half walking perpendicular to the first pass (east to west).
Result: The two overlapping half-applications create complete, even coverage across the entire lawn.
More on Spreaders
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