Thanks for the insight..... So..stopped in a local landscape supply house and they carry a spreader there Fetilome Ev-N-Spread 40# capacity.... Model 2000VPG looks fine for my needs, but I can't find anything on this spreader of detail... several searches seem to point to the Earthway site and their model 2000 Is this the same spreader just re-branded? Has 9" pneumatic tires, powder coated frame, etc. etc anyone by chance have insight on this? Thanks

Yeah, I have an Orbit timer setup with three different valves, each valve runs three sprinklers (I wish I had put in an underground sprinkler system, but oh well). I haven't measured how many inches yet, but I run each valve for 15 minutes (45 min total) each day, until it starts to runoff. Now I'm down to 15 minutes each valve every 3 days since it's only in the 90's now. It does take a lot of water, but it's well worth it and water is dirt cheap here...imagine that in the desert! (I only pay about $25/month for about 2500 cubic ft.). Soil is rock hard clay, no sand, you literally have to use a sharpened pick axe to dig it up. What I did to prepare was pick axe the whole dirt back yard (about 8" down), then mixed in a truck load of compost (about 30% compost). There were some areas where the grass grew great until the heat kicked in, so I dug those up last week and reseeded (I didn't dig down deep enough so the roots stopped growing). I water at 5am, and humidity is only like 10% usually, so yeah, no fungal disease worries here! In the peak of summer it gets down to the 80's only, now it gets down to 50's. We freeze overnight in Jan/Feb as well. I was amazed to see Tall Fescue growing here too (since it's cool season grass), but a lot of lawns here are fescue and that's pretty much all the stores carry. I use the generic Contractor's Mix from Lowes (which is one of the cheaper bags, but I've had great success with it), I'll have to check what cultivars are in the bag and report back.

Jim, You can calibrate by eye on the move or actually go through measuring out the weight of what you are spreading per 1000 and adjust openings and speed to get the right amount over that 1000 sq ft. I'd start with figuring out what consistent tractor speed can you maintain over your lawn. Then adjust spreader opening to get the right application rate. The best explanation I've read on calibration is in the Lesco catalog, but I didn't find it online. That is one reason I like organic grains - I don't have to be too concerned when my calibration eye is all hosed up; its just another trip to the store.

I am known for putting alfalfa pellets in my handheld spreader and twirling all over my flowerbeds..BUT of course I don't have problems with critters in my flowerbeds..that is the main con for those who's wildlife terrorize their gardens..but as Ophelia said watering them in prevents that problem as they do turn to mush..and broadcasting works just as well as the tea..it just takes a bit longer as the alfalfa will have to break down whereas "teaing" gives instance feed to the plants..My regime every year is in Spring I broadcast my pellets in my handheld spreader all over my flowerbeds..then I put a layer of composted cowmanure and then a 2-4 inch of mulch..that way my pellets are covered and start breaking down along with last years composted cowmanure and mulch..this yearly ritual has given me some really rich soil over the years...Plus I apply my tea several times during the growing season..especially on my Roses and Clematis...Hope this helps...Jeanne PS..don't forget to broadcast the pellets into your Lawn..YOU'D BE AMAZED HOW GORGEOUS and GREEN and healthy your lawn becomes..