An efficient way to apply herbicides and pesticides to your garden or lawn would be by using garden sprayers. They may seem simple and easy to use at first glance but can be quite troublesome to the uninitiated. Using the right sprayer for the job can make maintaining a garden at home much easier.
So today, we are going to look at the types of garden sprayers that you can buy at your local hardware store, and we will also tell you how to use a garden sprayer in general.
If you are more of a visual learner, check out this awesome video by BuildersSA to improve your garden spraying skills!
Importance of Spraying the Right Amount of Pesticide or Herbicide
It is of the utmost importance that we use the right amount of herbicide or pesticide because:
- Using less than the recommended amount of pesticide or herbicide may result in plant damage from poor weed control, pests, and nutrient deficiencies.
- Using more than the recommended amount of herbicides or pesticides can result in plant damage from poisoning.
Therefore, in order to use the right amount of pesticide or herbicide, we must pay some attention to the type of sprayers we employ, and the rate at which they spray out the liquids.
The Types of Garden Sprayers
There are two types of sprayers; compression, and hose-end.
Compression Pump Sprayers
These sprayers use the pressure compressed air to push the diluted liquid through a nozzle mounted at the tip of a wand. They come in handheld forms as well. And they range in capacities from around a quart to several gallons.
The nozzles in these sprayers are adjustable. They can be set to spray out a mist (to cover a wide area) or in coarse droplets (to restrict the spread of the herbicides or pesticides). This is important because you want the pesticides and herbicides in one particular area, to prevent damage to any other plants and wildlife.
Steps in Using Compression Pump Sprayers
Here’s the process for using it:
1. Read the Label
The product you want to use will come with a label stating the instructions for use and the correct dosages. It might also specify whether it is suitable for use with a compression sprayer. The sprayer is acceptable if there is no wording that explicitly says you cannot.
2. Check the Sprayer and Practice
Fill the sprayer to about 1/3rd with water. Tighten the lid and pressurize using the hand pump. These sprayers do not come with a pressure gauge, but you should feel the pressure in the plunger.
On a flat surface such as a wall or on a driveway, check the output of the spray. Speed is usually not a factor, but the amount of the product used in a given area might vary. Again, check the label for instructions.
Keep practicing till you get your pacing right so that you can apply the product consistently and evenly when the time comes.
3. Use the Product
If you are satisfied with your practice and the output from the spray, now it is time to use the product itself. Depressurize the spray, and empty out the contents. Pour in your product and fill it to capacity. Repeat the first portion of step 2, and your sprayer is ready to use.
Hose-End Sprayers
These resemble jars that you attach to the end of a hose to deliver the product in spray form. The force from running water pressurizes the spray. There are several types of hose-end sprayers.
- Some come with a built-in dial for accurate calibration. The dial is to be set to apply the accurate amount as per the label. Like the compression sprayer, this particular type of hose-end sprayer can be used to deliver the product in a coarse form. So set the dial, fill, and spray.
- Many come already filled with a fixed dilution rate. Thus, we do not have to worry about measuring, mixing, or setting anything. The only disadvantage is that the jar cannot be reused for anything else.
- The last variation is the type that does not come ready to use. They do not come with any dials. Complete guesswork when mixing, but they usually come with gallon increments on the sides. Therefore, you add water, attach to the hose, and spray.
Conclusion
So there you have it. The two types of garden sprayers and their uses. Be mindful of where you want and how much of the pesticide and herbicide you want to spread. Now that you have read our article, we hope you will have no problem using a garden sprayer properly.
If you want some recommendations on our favorite garden sprayers, check it here!
Happy gardening!
[…] If you need some tips and tricks on how to use your garden sprayer, check out our guide. […]