How to Use a Garden Sprayer

A garden sprayer is a handy tool for applying pesticides and fertilizers to your garden. They are available in a variety of different sizes and are suitable for all garden chemicals, including weedkillers, insecticides, herbicides and fungicides. They come in a range of prices and are ideal for DIYers or commercial sprayers, as they allow you to apply a wider area with less effort.

They are also useful for sanitising and washing your garden furniture, as well as cleaning carpets and upholstery. If you plan to use a chemical sprayer in your garden, you need to take some basic safety precautions and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully. You should also keep children and pets away from the sprayer when it’s in use, and clean the sprayer after each use.

The first thing you need to do is read the label of the pesticide or herbicide that you’re planning on using. This will ensure that you’re applying the right amount to your garden, and avoid over-spraying unwanted areas. It’s also important to use the sprayer at the right time of day and not when it’s too hot or cold, as this can reduce the effectiveness of your chemical.

Once you’ve chosen the pesticide or herbicide that you want to use, you can fill the tank of your sprayer with the liquid. This can be done using a garden hose, or you could fill it from the top of the tank, as some sprayers are designed to do this. If you choose to fill the tank from the top, you’ll need to ensure that the nozzle is securely attached and is level with the water surface. This will help to prevent leaks and ensure that the sprayer is working properly.

Next, you’ll need to prime the pump by pressing down on the handle of the sprayer until you feel a slight resistance. This is a key part of getting the sprayer to work, and can be done by hand or with the help of an electric sprayer. You’ll find that most garden sprayers are fitted with a pressure gauge that will tell you how much pressure is building up in the pump.

It’s important to keep the pressure in your pump as low as possible, as this will extend its life and help to avoid accidents when you’re spraying. You can release any pressure that has built up in the pump by walking – or riding your lawnmower – back and forth across your garden, or you can use an electrically powered pressure-releasing device.

You should also make sure that your tank is full before you start spraying, as this will help to avoid over-spraying and the chance of splattering the chemical. It’s best to fill the tank in small batches, so you can get an accurate reading of how much liquid you have left.

When you’re ready to spray, simply add the correct amount of your product into the tank and prime the pump. You should then follow the instructions on the bottle or nozzle for adjusting the spray pattern, and then you’re ready to go!