Best Garden Seeders [of 2022]
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Need some help to sow your vegetables? We’ve reviewed the best garden seeders on the market for you below.
Comparison | Name | Type | # Plates / Nozzles | Check Price |
 | Earthway 1001-B Best-in-class | Precision Seeder | 7 | |
 | Chapin 8701B Best Value | Precision Seeder | 6 | |
 | Varomorus 5-Row Seeder Also great | Multi-row Seeder | 4 | |
 | Varomorus 2-Row Seeder Budget | Single-row Seeder | 1 |
4 Best Garden Seeders
| | BEST-IN-CLASS Earthway 1001-B Precision Garden Seeder with 6 Seed Plates Best garden seeder This precision seeder ensures consistent depth and spacing for perfectly planted rows. |
1. Earthway 1001-B
Perfect for gardening enthusiasts who want to plant seeds at precisely spaced intervals, the Earthway 1001-B is the best precision seeder for small to mid-sized gardens. Designed for quick and easy planting, it comes with six sowing plates and is compatible with a wide range of flower, vegetable, and leafy green seeds.
Finding the correct plate size for your seeds to prevent over or underplanting could be challenging, but once you get a grip of it, switching between plates and sowing is very easy.
This push behind seed spreader boasts a robust, weather-resistant construction. It is deal for both vegetable gardens and flowerbeds, and is your best choice if you want to leave the guesswork out of planting and become the envy of your fellow gardeners.
| | BEST VALUE Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder With 6 Seed Plates Outstanding value for money An adjustable row marker on the seeder allows an accurate spacing between seeds. |
2. Chapin 8701B
The Chapin 8701B is similar to our best in class in many ways and more than perfect for the amateur gardener who wants a precision seeder at the best price.
Like the Earthway, it can easily take the guesswork out of your sowing game thanks to the six seed plates. The distance between the seeds is automatically determined by the plate you use, so you’ll never have to worry about over or underplanting again. Its only downside is that it might struggle to pick up seeds larger in size.
Extremely durable, the unit is made from powder-coated steel and boasts a large, ergonomic handle. Another highlight is the built-in plow and wide rear wheel designed to cover the seeds as you walk – all in all, an excellent choice at an affordable price tag.
| | ALSO GREAT Varomorus 5-Row Metal Precision Manual Seeder Best multi row garden seeder Ideal for larger vegetable gardens, this seeder can sow up to five rows simultaneously. |
3. Varomorus 5-Row Seeder
If you have a large garden and don’t want to spend ages sowing seeds, the Varomorus 5-Row Seeder could be the best seed spreader for you. Bigger than our best value and best in class, it sows up to five rows at a time.
Compatible with all kinds of seeds, it is ideal for gardening and landscaping alike. We particularly like the adjustable row distance and that it comes with 20 custom drums for effective seed dispensing.
A customizable configuration also allows you to assemble it for seeding fewer rows in tighter spots. It may not come with a handle but is compact, easy to use, and versatile – just right for big plots.
| | BEST BUDGET Varomorus 2-Row Corn Beans Onion Radish Beets Vegetable Seeder A budget alternative A patented seed bunker protects the seeds from being crushed by the drum, increasing efficiency. |
4. Varomorus 2-Row Seeder
Perfect for gardeners on a budget who want to finish seeding fast and for homeowners looking for an easy way to sow a small lawn in their yard, the Varomorus 2-Row Seeder is the smaller brother of the Varomorus 5-Row Seeder.
Construction and quality-wise, the two are very similar. This seeder allows you to use it as a 1-row or 2-row seeder, as needed. It has adjustable row width and comes with various drums compatible with most types of seeds.
Like the 5-Row variant, it doesn’t come with a handle. Nevertheless, it’s easy to use and more than affordable. No doubt, a great choice if you’re looking for the best cheap garden seeder around.
1. Garden seeder types. What is the best seed planters for me?
Whether you’re a keen gardener or own a lawn, a garden seeder (or seed planter) is a must-have sowing assistant. This tool can also help you spread fertilizer, but if you want it to live up to expectations, you must choose the best garden seeder type for you. There are two essential options:
- Single-row precision seed planter: These small push behind seeders are ideal for small backyard gardens and flowerbeds. Different seed plates adjust the sowing distance automatically based on the size of the seed, helping you grow healthier plants and have higher yields.
- Multi-row garden seeders: Are another type of push behind seeders designed for larger gardens. Some models use precision seed plates while others require you to adjust the sowing distance manually. Some of the best multi-row garden seeders have adjustable configurations, allowing you to sow any number of rows at a time, between one and their max capacity. They don’t always come with a handle, but are as easy to use as their single-row counterpart.
Other types of seeders
Both garden seeder types above are push-behind seeders that work in a way similar to a push-behind lawn mower. They are perfect for most domestic and light-duty commercial applications. However, if this design is too small or too big for your garden, two other styles include:
- Handheld or backpack garden seeder: Is compact, very easy to use, and cheap. It basically consists of a container with a hole at the bottom. A trigger on the handle allows you to dispense the seeds. This type of seeder is ideal for sowing grass seed.
- Tow-behind garden seeder: Also called tow-behind spreader, is designed to be towed behind a gardening tractor, lawn tractor, or zero turn mower. This type of spreader is suitable for very large lawns, professional landscaping, as well as heavy-duty gardening.
2. Best garden seeder brands
To prevent spending your hard-earned money on a poor quality garden seed planter, we recommend focusing on the garden seeder brands below:
- Earthway garden seeders: One of the most popular gardening tool brands, Earthway manufactures some of the best garden seeders for residential users, including a range of iconic precision spreaders. Made from weather-resistant materials, these seeders are also easy to use and durable.
- Chapin garden seeders: Perhaps Earthway’s main competitor, Chapin also manufactures a range of precision spreaders for home users and amateur gardeners. These tools are typically made from powder-coated steel and come with ergonomic handles.
- Varomorus garden seeders: Impress with their quality considering the very affordable price tag. This brand proposes a range of multi-row seeders that can usually be configured to suit your specific sowing needs. They are not as durable as Earthway or Chapin but are an excellent investment if you’re on a budget.
- Scotts seed spreaders: If your main purpose is to sow grass and fertilize your lawn, a broadcast spreader from Scotts could be your best bet. Despite their push-behind design, these seeders come with large hoppers and can usually cover areas up to 5,000 square feet with one fill.
- Agri-Fab seed spreaders: Similar to Scotts, Agri-Fab manufactures a range of broadcast spreaders but also reliable two-behind drop garden seeders. They often suit high-volume seeding on large surfaces and commercial or industrial applications.
Apart from the garden seeder brands above, other companies that manufacture high-quality garden seed planters include Hoss Tools, Brinly, Kampoojoo, and Jang.
3. Broadcast vs. Drop Spreaders. What is the difference?
We mentioned broadcast and drop spreaders above, and you might wonder what’s the difference between them. In essence, a broadcast spreader is used for sowing large surfaces quickly, but it isn’t designed for targeted applications.
In other words, a broadcast spreader scatters the seeds in various directions in an arc pattern and is ideal for sowing grass, spreading fertilizer and herbicides, and even spreading ice melt in winter.
A drop spreader – or the traditional garden seeder – is designed to dispense the seeds at a precise point and typically in rows. The application is targeted, but the process is slower. These spreaders are ideal for sowing vegetables, flowers, and small lawns.
4. What size garden seeder should I buy?
The size of a garden seeder is typically determined by the number of rows it can seed at the same time. Depending on your purpose and size of your plot, you can choose between 1-row and 12-row seeders. Check out the table below to find the best seed spreader size for you.
| Garden seeder size | Best for: |
|---|---|
| 1-row | Small backyard gardens; flowerbeds |
| 2 to 5 rows | Vegetable gardens up to ½ acres |
| 6-row+ | Large vegetable gardens; lawns |
Some of the best multi-row garden seeders boast a versatile setup, allowing you to assemble them for any number of rows between one and their max row capacity. They are ideal if you want to use the seeder for both landscaping and gardening purposes.
5. Spacing and planting depth
Planting seeds too close together or not planting them at the right depth could have negative effects on germination and growth. For this reason, it is important to buy a precision seeder that has both adjustable spacing and adjustable planting depth.
Check out the table below to find the seed spacing and planting depth for some of the most popular crops:
| Crop | Seed spacing | Planting depth |
|---|---|---|
| Beans | 2-4 inches | 1-2 inches |
| Beets | 6-8 inches | 1 inch |
| Broccoli, cabbage | 14-20 inches | ¼-inch |
| Carrots | 1-3 inches | ¼ – ½ inches |
| Cauliflower | 18-24 inches | ¼-inch |
| Corn | 8-10 inches | 1-2 inches |
| Cucumber | 6-12 inches | ½-inch |
| Lettuce | 18-24 inches | ½-inch |
| Peppers | 12-24 inches | ¼-inch |
| Eggplant | 18-24 inches | ¼ – ½ inches |
| Spinach | 3-6 inches | ½-inch |
Most push seeders on the market have adjustable spacing up to 30 inches and adjustable depth between 0 and 2.5 inches. To leave the guesswork out of the game, precision garden seeders come with seed plates for specific crops designed to dispense seeds at the right intervals and prevent under or overseeding.
6. Garden seeder plates or drums
The best seed spreaders use either precision plates or drums to dispense the seeds. These components have holes of various sizes to work with various types of seeds. If you want to be able to sow a variety of edibles and plants – including ones with bigger seeds such as corn or beans – check the type of plates or drums and the number of seeds the machine is compatible with.
7. What should be the size of a broadcast spreader hopper?
Home use broadcast spreaders usually have small hoppers with a capacity of 20-30 pounds and are ideal for light-duty gardening, sowing grass in a tinier yard, or for flowerbeds.
Tow-behind lawn and fertilizer spreaders usually have a bigger hopper with capacities that can go up to 200 pounds, which is usually enough for sowing or fertilizing an area up to 5,000 square feet with one fill.
8. Other important features
To get the best push garden seeder on the market, also check out the important features below:
- Setup ease: Most garden seeders come fully or partially disassembled, so make sure the one you want comes with comprehensive instructions or that the manufacturer shares videos to guide you through the process.
- Wheels: Ideally, the seeder should have a wider rear wheel that can help you close the ground above the seed after sowing.
- Built-in plow: Some of the best seed planters also have built-in plows that serve the same purpose as the rear wheel.
- Handle: Ideally, you should buy a garden seeder with a height-adjustable handle. Also, check out the grip and make sure it’s ergonomic.
- Built quality: Overall, the walk-behind garden seeder should feel robust and well-made. Go for powder-coated steel or other weather-resistant materials to make sure it is durable and resistant to elements.
9. Best Garden Seeder for the Money
| | BEST VALUE Chapin 8701B Garden Push Seeder With 6 Seed Plates Outstanding value for money An adjustable row marker on the seeder allows an accurate spacing between seeds. |
