GARDENA small caster S (3255-20) spreader for salt, sand, grit, fertiliser and seed

If winter maintenance and garden spreading are both on your list, GARDENA’s small caster S is a neat, practical tool for the job. It’s designed as a stir-and-sprinkle style spreader, with a dosing system that lets you switch output settings without wrestling with complicated controls.

That said, it’s not meant to be a heavy-duty, all-day, big-area solution. This is the kind of spreader that makes sense when you’re covering smaller patches and want the process to feel straightforward.

What it’s for and why people use it

The Gardena small caster S (3255-20) is a compact spreader for several seasonal tasks. On the winter side, it’s positioned for spreading salt, sand, and split/grit for de-icing. In warmer months, the same basic idea can be used for fertiliser and seed.

In real-world terms, it’s the sort of tool you grab for paths, steps, drive edges and other “manageable” areas where you don’t want to drag out a larger machine. You fill it, set the dosing, and work steadily rather than blasting out product.

Key features that affect everyday use

Where it’s more interesting than a basic hopper-style spreader is the unique dosing approach. Instead of a one-size outlet, it uses output holes in three different sizes, which you choose comfortably using a large adjustment button. This matters because your material behaves differently: salt, grit and fertiliser don’t always spread with the same consistency.

It’s also built to be practical in the hand. The handle is described as ergonomic, and the unit is lightweight at 300 g. There’s a bayonet-style closure to help with opening and closing, which should make refilling less of a faff when you’re doing quick winter or garden rounds.

One caution: the dosing is adjustable, but it still relies on your technique and the material you’re using. If you’re expecting perfectly even broadcast at any speed and on every surface, you may still need a couple of test passes.

Capacity figures and what they mean

The supplied information gives approximate fill quantities depending on what you put in: - Sand: approx. 1.7 kg - De-icing salt: approx. 1.4 kg - Grit/split: approx. 1.65 kg - Fertiliser: approx. 1.3 kg

Those are helpful for planning. You can gauge how many refills you might need before you start, especially if you’re working across a driveway apron and the edge of a path.

If your goal is large-area coverage, you may find yourself topping up more often than with bigger spreaders. For smaller jobs, though, the compact size and adjustability can be a better match.

Setup, operation, and quick practical example

Using it is fairly direct: you fill the container, select one of the three output hole sizes using the adjustment button, then sprinkle/spread the material.

A simple winter example: say you’ve got a narrow walkway with icy spots near the doorway. You’d fill the small caster S with de-icing salt, choose a suitable dosing opening, then apply in short, controlled strokes. Because it’s designed for sprinkle-style spreading, you can focus on the problem area rather than coating the whole path.

For summer, the same idea works for fertiliser and seed—again, selecting an output setting that suits the material.

The essentials (tech specs)

• Name: Gardena small caster S: Strurring container and hand-loading suitable for sand, salt and split, sprinkle in winter, unique dosing system, also usable for fertilizer and seed (3255-20)
• Type: Hand-loading spreader / caster
• Capacity: approx. 1.7 kg (sand), approx. 1.4 kg (de-icing salt), approx. 1.65 kg (grit/split), approx. 1.3 kg (fertiliser)
• Weight: 300 g

What to check before buying

Before you commit, it’s worth thinking about three things:

First, your use case. This is clearly intended for smaller, manageable spreading jobs (winter de-icing and garden spreading), not for huge areas.

Second, the materials you’ll actually use. The capacity guidance and three output hole sizes suggest the spread pattern is meant to be tuned per material, so it’s worth matching the setting to what you’re pouring in.

Third, what comes in the box: the pack includes 1 small S GARDENA spreader without contents. So you’ll need to provide your own salt, sand/grit, fertiliser, or seed.

Is it worth it?

It’s worth buying the Gardena small caster S (3255-20) if you want a compact, lightweight spreader for de-icing in winter and basic fertiliser/seed spreading in the growing season. The three-part dosing system and ergonomic handling are the sort of details that make day-to-day use feel less fiddly.

You may want to skip it if you’re planning large-area coverage where frequent refilling would be annoying, or if you need extremely precise, ultra-even broadcast regardless of surface and speed—this is more of a practical hand-spreader than a precision broadcast system.

Mini FAQ

Can I use it for both winter and garden jobs?

Yes. It’s described as suitable for sand, salt and split/grit in winter, and also usable for fertiliser and seed.

How does the dosing work?

It uses a unique dosing system with outlet holes in three different sizes, selected via a large adjustment button.

What does the pack include?

The package includes 1 small S GARDENA spreader without any contents.