Hello! My name is Liam and I live on a small cattle farm in rural Australia. I used to live in the city so when I moved out to the country it was a bit of a culture shock. Not only did I need to get used to the idea of driving many miles to get to the nearest shop, I also needed to start to understand the various pieces of agricultural equipment and supplies. One area I really struggled with was cattle feed. Thankfully, Paul who lives and works on a neighbouring farm has really helped me to understand which type of feed is right for my animals.
Conventionally, gardeners use their hands or watering cans for applying garden fertilisers. However, the use of fertiliser applicators, such as spreaders and hose-end sprayers, can get the right amount of compost to your plants because almost all fertiliser applicators are calibrated. Furthermore, using an applicator helps you to complete the same amount of work faster compared to using your bare hands, especially if you have a large garden. Since fertiliser equipment is not used on a regular basis, maintenance can ensure it lasts for years without needing replacement. Here are some useful facts for home gardeners regarding fertiliser applicators.
Applying Liquid Fertilizer -- When you need to use liquid fertilisers, particularly during top dressing, a hose-end sprayer can get the job done with ease and at a marginal cost. The nozzles of the sprayer can be regulated to mix water and fertiliser in an automatic fashion and according to the desired ratio. The sprayer will then release the liquid compost in the spray pattern that you prefer, which will hinge upon the amount of water pressure passing through the system. By rotating the nozzle, you get different spray patterns. Since you want your liquid fertiliser to reach the roots buried in the soil, you will adjust the sprayer to release heavy sprays. However, the option is dependent on the size of your plants, since drenching showers can destroy the stems.
Dry Granular Fertilizer -- When applying dry granular fertilisers, gardeners must consider the application rate coupled with distribution patterns. A broadcast spreader, which is either hand-pushed or towed by a tractor or lawn mower, will help in the uniform application of dry fertiliser. If you use the non-uniform material, mainly when blending different composts, larger granules will spread further compared to smaller ones. If you want to combine materials, then consider using pellets of similar size for the best distribution. Adjust the equipment accordingly, bearing in mind factors such as swath width and material feed rate. You might have to adjust the spinner speed, the divider that separates the spinners and the spinner blade angle to achieve the desired fertiliser distribution.
Precaution Before Use -- Always clean a fertiliser applicator before use, especially if you used it previously or you bought pre-owned equipment. Also, hose end sprayers should be washed with water to prevent chemical contamination. Mechanical equipment must be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions. Furthermore, greasing and oiling of movable parts can go a long way in giving your apparatus long service life.