A hose end sprayer has a plastic container that is connected to a nozzle. This nozzle connects to your garden hose. When you turn it on, the nozzle will mix the chemicals or fertilizer in the container with the water before spraying it into the lawn, the flowerbed, or anything else. This is a great way to cut down on the amount of time it takes to care for your lawn.
When you have a quality hose end sprayer, it is much easier to fertilize. Generally speaking, it is quite a big job to fertilize an entire lawn with a spray bottle. However, you can easily accomplish this task when you use the water pressure from the hose with a hose end sprayer. In fact, you can apply fertilizer, pesticides, and more in a short amount of time.
You have a few options when it comes to hose end sprayers. There are a few very popular ones but in this article I’m going to talk about two of them – The Ortho Dial N Spray Versus Chameleon Hose End Sprayer. You can likely find both of these at your local hardware store.
These products are quite similar but there are some differences to note.
First lets look at some important considerations when choosing a hose end sprayer…
What to Consider When Choosing a Hose End Sprayer
When you are choosing which hose end sprayer is right for you, you need to look at several different factors.
Material
First, look at the material it is made of. Usually they are made with plastic, metal parts, and polyurethane, and they have a polyurethane reservoir to hold the chemicals that make up the treatment material. It is lightweight and doesn’t rust, and it is strong enough to handle these chemicals without melting.
The Nozzle
The nozzle can be metal or plastic, and the metal ones are more durable.
Some have a fixed flow rate, while others are adjustable. In addition, they can have different capacities for how much the reservoir can hold. Y
ou will also want to look at the spray settings to see what kinds of spray patterns they have. Different patterns will control how much product you are spraying, and you can often choose a setting for the range as well.
Mix Ratio
Another factor is the mix ratio of the tool. Some will allow you to control and adjust the mix ratio, while others are fixed. This is important if you need to control the ratio of chemicals to water when you are spraying.
You can also look at other features, such as the shape and comfort of the handle, any controls it has, whether it is able to quickly connect to the water source, and its hose compatibility. Look at all of these features before you choose the one that is best for you.
Ortho Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer
This hose end sprayer by Ortho Dial N Spray has an ergonomic design and you can make a number of different adjustments. You can customize your spray pattern and your dilution ratio. This makes it possible for you to perform a number of different tasks with this hose end sprayer.
It is designed for use with Ortho liquid weed killers, insect killers, and fungicides, and it has multiple dilution settings and three adjustable spray patterns. It is easy to use, and it has an ergonomically designed trigger that is easy to grip and apply. Your hands will stay dry throughout the process because it has an extended grip.
There are 14 different dilution settings and three different spray patterns on this hose end sprayer. You can customize your settings to get the most precise control over your treatment. You can reach areas a distance away, or use a gentle shower to prevent damage to plants. It is easy to use, as all you do is fill the jar with your product, adjust your settings, connect it to the hose, and start spraying.
Pros and Cons of the Ortho Dial N Spray Hose End Sprayer
Pros:
- Handle is ergonomically designed for comfort while using. It definitely fits nicely in your hand
- 14 dilutions and 3 spray patterns to customize your treatment
- Extended grip helps keep your hands dry while you are using it
- Good value for the cost
- The hose fitting has a rubber gasket on the inside of the adapter so you can spray your product with minimal leakage
Cons:
- Some say that it comes with a chemical odor
- Reattaching the sprayer to the container can be a little tricky to line up
- The shape of the bottle is a little awkward
Chameleon Hose End Sprayer
Another option for a hose end sprayer is the Chameleon hose end sprayer. It can be directly attached to most chemical concentrate bottles, and you have no contact with the chemicals. It has three sprayer patterns, including fan, cone, and stream. It also includes a hose end quick connection.
This sprayer is affordable and still has the ability to handle most tasks you need it to accomplish. You can use it for fertilizing your yard, spraying pesticides, and more. There is a dial on the side that allows you to adjust the concentration of the mix, so you won’t have to deal with diluting chemicals before you add them to the reservoir.
In addition, this hose end sprayer is super easy to use. It has a quick connect so all you do is snap it on and off the hose. The screw top makes it very easy to attach the nozzle to your bottles with products, and you won’t have to worry about mixing and pouring.
Chameleon Hose End Sprayer Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Quick connect adapter makes it fast and easy to use
- Screw top makes it easy to connect products
- Different spray patterns
- You don’t have to handle the chemicals
- Budget friendly
- The trigger is light and easy to use
- Shower spray option is excellent.
Cons:
- The spray pattern for the shower setting isn’t the best
- The connection between the hose and the sprayer is prone to leaking. The drip can become irritating
Final Words
A hose end sprayer can make it much easier to maintain your lawn, your flower beds, bushes, and other plants. Two great options are the Ortho Dial N Spray and the Chameleon Hose End Sprayer, and each has its advantages.
I personally like the way the curved handle on the Ortho fits in my hand. I also prefer the shower spray option on the Ortho to the Chameleon. It seems to have a much more consistent spray which makes for great coverage. If you need to adjust concentrations and work longer hours, the Ortho sprayer is a great option.
On the other hand, if you have a simple task and want quick and easy, you might choose the Chameleon.
No matter which product is best for you, both of these make fertilizing, spraying pesticides, and other maintenance tasks much easier.
The best thing to do is consider what you need your hose end sprayer to do and then look through the features of the different products.
