There are two types of sprayers: fixed rate and adjustable flow. Both types work by siphoning chemicals from the sprayer’s reservoir and mixing the chemicals with water before distributing the solution into the yard. We understand that when it comes to fertilizing a yard, maintaining a row of shrubbery, tending to a flower bed, or nurturing a vegetable garden, handheld spray bottles may not be sufficient for the task. That’s why we decided to test today’s best-selling hose-end sprayers and provide our readers with comprehensive insights into how each one performed. Glenda Taylor is a product tester and writer specializing in the construction, remodeling, and real estate industries. She and her husband own a general contracting company, and Taylor is experienced in both residential and commercial building applications. She tests a wide range of power tools as well as other home improvement, household, and lawn-and-garden products. Many don’t require premixing chemicals. Many hose-end sprayers do the mixing for you, allowing you to add chemicals directly to the reservoir. This minimizes mess and exposure to harmful chemicals.

When used with Miracle-Gro® EverGreen® Water Soluble Lawn Food it makes light work of feeding your lawn ensuring its richer and greener throughout the season.Over the course of his decades-long career, Bob Vila has helped millions of people build, renovate, repair, and live better each day—a tradition that continues today with expert yet accessible home advice. The Bob Vila team distills need-to-know information into project tutorials, maintenance guides, tool 101s, and more. These home and garden experts then thoroughly research, vet, and recommend products that support homeowners, renters, DIYers, and professionals in their to-do lists. Meet the Tester There are two ways to apply liquid fertilizer: Either add the liquid fertilizer to the sprayer’s reservoir or, if compatible, attach the bottle of liquid fertilizer directly to the hose-end sprayer’s nozzle by removing the reservoir and attaching the bottle. Q. How do I clean a hose-end sprayer? We were impressed with the performance of the Chapin G362 professional hose-end sprayer. It features an easy-to-grip hand-trigger nozzle. The Willcrew also comes with a soft microfiber washing mitt. This bonus accessory enhances the car-washing experience by providing a gentle and effective means of wiping away dirt or mud during cleaning. Finally, for best results, apply Miracle-Gro® soluble food every two weeks from March to September.

One of the standout features of this sprayer is the clear reservoir, which makes it easy to monitor the soap level. We could tweak the desired water-to-soap ratio by attaching the nozzle to the hose and adjusting the dial on the top. The inclusion of eight spray patterns enhances its versatility. Most hose-end sprayers dilute water at ratios between 1 ounce and 16 ounces of chemicals per gallon. Adjustable-flow sprayers allow you to set the mix ratio. Q. How do you use a hose-end sprayer? I have some bottles with a little measuring dispenser built in, and it would be so nice to squeeze a dose into the watering can, rather than a spoonful and then having to swirl it round for ages to get it to dissolve.Limited to a single spray pattern, which may not meet the requirements for all product applications These settings can also control the range of the sprayer. A spray pattern that produces higher pressure will be strong enough to reach the branches of trees, whereas a lighter spray will be gentle enough to apply pesticide to a flower bed without damaging the plants. With the helpful instruction manual, setting up your personal watering schedule is a doddle with no complex programming required. If you don’t want a particular dripper water at a specific time, you can simply turn the screw top by hand to reduce the flow to that dripper. If you’re wondering how to best use and maintain your hose-end sprayer, read on for answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about these tools. Q. How does a hose-end sprayer work?

Once you have programmed it for the first time, it will auto adjust to coincide with daylight as the seasons change. But after seeing the images of how much easier it makes things, you find yourself thinking ‘ahh, no more kinks or damaging the hose or corner of my wall.’ Feeder tends to leak if the hose fitting is not tightly secured, indicating potential issues with the inside washer In actual testing, we put each hose-end sprayer through its paces outside in a yard. Most models connected to standard garden hoses, but we tested one foam sprayer with a pressure washer. We used a water pressure of 45 psi (pounds per square inch) with each garden-hose sprayer, which we consistently measured using a water-pressure meter. We filled the garden- hose sprayers with the recommended fertilizer, while the foam sprayer was tested using an automobile-cleaning solution. We tried dilution settings and tested every spray pattern the sprayer offered to determine how well it functioned.

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The metering dial on the top of the sprayer was another highlight. It offered 16 dilution settings, giving us precise control over the concentration of the applied solution. Adjusting the dial took just a twist—the numbers are clearly engraved and easy to see.

Hose-end sprayers may feature dials that allow the user to adjust the ratio of water to chemicals. These dials are usually set by ounces of chemicals per gallon of water. Many adjustable flow sprayers allow you to set the mix ratio from 1 ounce of chemicals per gallon of water up to 14 ounces per gallon of water. Most fertilizers, pesticides, and weed killers have instructions detailing the correct ratio for the product. This makes life even easier for you and means you can manage your beautifully healthy garden without even needing to turn the tap on! We followed the instructions to clean the sprayer after use, which required us to turn it upside down and run water through the jar. This rinsing took less than a minute and cleared out all the fertilizer residue.

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Hose-end sprayers are handy and practical, but they’re not as precise as pump sprayers, where the user mixes a specific amount of product in water and adds it to the sprayer tank. If you’re concerned about getting too much or too little weed killer or pesticide, you might be better off going with a pump sprayer and mixing the solution by hand. Additional Features For applying nematodes to larger areas i.e. over 200 sqm or for regular nematode application, use a Nematode Applicator. Ergonomic handles: Ergonomically designed handles have a curved shape for a comfortable grip while directing the nozzle at a downward angle suited to treating gardens, shrubs, and lawns. Shower: The shower setting most closely mimics rain. This pattern has a longer range and higher output than mist while still producing gentle pressure that won’t damage smaller plants. It’s suitable for treating lawns, gardens, shrubs, and flower beds with hardier plants. Tend to your lawn and garden without spending a lot of money. We found the affordable Chapin G390 lawn and garden sprayer a durable and reliable option for various spraying needs in our yard. It has a 32-ounce chemical-resistant poly tank and a universal fitting to attach easily to any standard garden hose.