How To:use Ortho Garden Sprayer

A hose-end sprayer is a container/sprayer nozzle combination tool that allows liquid products to be mixed with water right at the end of a hose. This tool provides a fast and easy way for homeowners to apply liquid gardening products. Though there are some hose-end sprayers that can be used for powdered products, for now we are only going to talk about those meant for liquids only.

For more detailed information on how a hose end sprayer works and how to use one, read the article on our educational site.

Two Types of Hose-End Sprayers – Fixed Rate and Adjustable Rate

Hose-end sprayers siphon up the liquid from the container and mix it with water as the water passes through the spray nozzle. The rate of siphoning is usually described in "ounces per gallon of water." Some sprayers are set to siphon at a Fixed Rate. Other sprayers have a dial on the spray nozzle that allows you to siphon at an Adjustable Rate.

Some of our products are available with their own RTU (Ready-to-Use) hose-end spray nozzle that attaches to the 1 quart product bottle. These are Fixed Rate sprayers.

The red sprayer is set or "fixed" to siphon out 1 1/2 oz per every gallon of water sprayed. The green sprayer is set to siphon out 3 oz per every gallon of water sprayed.

Instructions for Using the RTU Sprayers

spotless-lawn-sprayer There are 3 settings on the control knob: OFF, ON (Mix), H20 (Water only).

Here is our best advice on how to use the sprayer:

Figure out the size of the area you want to spray.
Determine how much of the product you want to use for your lawn area. As per the example above, the recommended amount of Aerify PLUS to use per 1000 sf is 4 oz. So, for a 4,000 sf yard, you would want to use 16 ounces (2 cups) total of the Aerify PLUS.For example, suggested amounts to use for Aerify PLUS is 4 oz per 1000 sf for first season or two. So, for a 4000 sf yard you would want to use 16 oz or half the bottle.
Turn the water on at about ½ to ¾ pressure.
With the knob turned to MIX, walk at a moderate pace spraying a 6-8 wide swath. Keep moving the whole time you are spraying. Only spray enough to lightly wet the top of the grass or gardens.
After you have sprayed ¼ or so of the yard, stop to see how much of the product you have used.
If you have used too little, you can go over the area again, but for the remainder of the lawn, walk a little slower when you spray – or spray a narrower swath.
If you have sprayed too much, walk a little faster when you spray – or spray a wider swath.

On your next application you should have a better idea of how fast or slow you need to go to get it applied correctly, but we still suggest stopping after doing part of the lawn, to check on how much you have used.

Adjustable Hose-End Sprayer Instructions

adjustable-sprayer Adjustable Sprayers, as we said above, have a dial that allows you to change the amount of product that will be siphoned per gallon of water. You can do your applications faster or slower by adjusting your setting. Start out with a 1 oz per gallon setting for products that recommend less than 5 oz per 1000 sf.

Put the product in the bottle.
Determine how much of the product you want to use for your lawn area. As per the example above, the recommended amount of Aerify PLUS to use per 1000 sf is 4 oz. So, for a 4,000 sf yard, you would want to use 16 oz (2 cups) total of the Aerify PLUS.For other products we sell, see their individual label instructions.
Turn the water on at about ½ to ¾ pressure. Set the sprayer to 1 oz/gallon. (Start at 2 oz per gallon for products that are meant to be applied at 6 or more oz per 1000 sf)
Walk at a moderate pace spraying a 6-8 wide swath. Keep moving the whole time you are spraying. Only spray enough to lightly wet the top of the grass or gardens.
After you have sprayed ¼ or so of the yard, stop to see how much of the product you have used.
If you have used too little, you can go over the area again, but for the remainder of the lawn, do one or more of the following:
1. Walk a little slower when you spray.
2. Spray a narrower swath. or
3. Increase the sprayer setting,
If you have sprayed too much, do one or more of the following:
1. Walk a little faster when you spray.
2. Spray a wider swath.
3. Lower the sprayer setting.

You can water in the products after the application. On your next application you should have a better idea of how fast or slow you need to go to get it applied correctly, but we still suggest stopping after doing part of the lawn, to check on how much you have used.

There is always some trial-and-error when you use a hose-end applicator, but the speed and ease of use makes it worth it.

For more information on how a hose end sprayer works and how to use one, read the article on our educational site here.