This page looks at hose end sprayers and reviews the different types of sprayers I have used over the years.
A hose end sprayer mixes concentrated liquid fertilser with water from a garden hose at a controlled rate. The more sophisticated units allow you to adjust the rate that the liquid fertilser is mixed with the water and have an on/off switch while the simpler units have a single fertiliser mixing dose rate and no on/off switch. The size of the tanks used to hold the liquid fertilser concentrate vary from 450 ml up to 2.2 litres. While the simplest way to apply liquid fertiliser is by adding it in concentrated form to a watering can filled with water then pouring it onto you vegetable beds, but if you have a large garden it is easier and quicker to apply it using a hose-end sprayer.
Note that most hose end sprayers can also be used to apply poison concentrate but I have never used them for this purpose.
This was the first of the hose-end sprayers that I bought a number of years ago. While it is of a sturdy design, has an easy to use on/off switch and multiple liquid fertilser flow settings for applying the concentrate to the water stream at just 450 ml I found the bottle to be too small and the jet of water coming out of the nozzle too strong, in fact it was so strong that it would knock down seedlings and young plants. The price of this type of sprayer varies depending on the brand but generally between $40 to $50 (2024 prices AUD).
I hardly used this hose end sprayer before completely discarding it.
Example of the first hose end sprayer that I used (image courtesy of the internet). As the exact same design is marketed under a number of brand names I am not sure which brand I bought.
MY FIRST HOSE-END SPRAYER ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Sturdy design.
- Multiple liquid fertilser flow settings.
- Easy to use on/off switch.
MY FIRST HOSE-END SPRAYER DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- Small bottle.
- Spray too powerful for seedlings/young plants.
My second attempt to find a suitable way to apply liquid fertilisers by hose was with a 2.2 litre Charlie Carp Hose spray pack. While the bottle had a much higher capacity I found that it applied the fertiliser way too quickly, draining the bottle in just a few minutes. The jet spray was also too strong to use on seedlings and young plants and it did not have an on/off switch, which meant that the only way to turn it off was at the tap. It retails for $12.20 (2024 price, AUD).
While this hose on sprayer would be a good way to apply liquid fertiliser to berry bushes and fruit trees I did not think it was suitable for applying liquid fertilser to a vegetable beds.
A 2.2 litre Charlie Carp Hose on spray pack.
CHARLIE CARP HOSE ON SPRAY PACK ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Large bottle size.
- High flow rate allows you to quickly cover a large area.
CHARLIE CARP HOSE ON SPRAY PACK DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- No on/off switch.
- Spray too powerful for seedlings/young plants.
I bought my first Ortho Dial N Spray Hose-End Sprayer several years ago and it is arguably the best hose-end sprayer that I have used. It has a one litre tank which is small enough not to be cumbersome but large enough to provide a long period of watering before having to fill the tank up again. There are sixteen liquid fertiliser flow settings on the dial, though the dial is a little stiff. There are also three spray settings to choose from (including a gentle rose spray suitable for seedlings and young plants) all of which I have found useful.
The main drawback is that the fertilser flow settings are based on the US customary measurement system, using ounces (OZ) instead of millimetres, something that I am not familiar with. Also. the thread on the tank began to strip fairly quickly, requiring me to use Teflon thread seal tape to strengthen it. And finally the rear end broke off after only about three years use, which was disappointing, but not disappointing enough for me to go out and buy another one.
It retails for $49.95 (2024 AUD), but as far as I can tell it is only available online in Australia.
LEFT: The Ortho Dial N Spray Hose-End Sprayer. RIGHT TOP: The front of the sprayer showing the three nozzle settings. RIGHT BOTTOM: The flow rate dial with its US customary measurement system settings.
Demonstration video of the Ortho Dial N Spray Hose-End Sprayer showing its three different nozzle settings.
ORTHO DIAL N SPRAY HOSE-END SPRAYER ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Good bottle size.
- Rose spray suitable for spraying seedlings and young plants.
- Has an on/off switch.
- Has multiple liquid fertilser flow settings.
ORTHO DIAL N SPRAY HOSE-END SPRAYER DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- The fertilser flow settings are based on the US customary measurement system.
- The liquid fertiliser flow dial is a bit stiff.
I bought the Scotts Osmocote 1L Boost + Feed All Purpose Liquid Hose On sprayer after my first Ortho failed on me. Initially I thought it was quite good. At $18.89 (2024 price AUD) it was much cheaper than the Ortho sprayer and available at retail outlets, whereas the Ortho sprayer can only be bought online. It has a gentle rose spray (suitable for spraying seedlings and young plants) and the on/off switch was easy to use. But to my dismay I discovered that I could not refill it, even by pulling it apart! It was designed to be completely disposable.
Had this unit been refillable it would have been a cost effective hose-end sprayer but as it is disposable I would not recommend it. I certainly will not be buying it again.
Scotts Osmocote 1L Boost + Feed All Purpose Liquid Hose On sprayer. (Image courtesy of the internet)
OSMOCOTE ALL PURPOSE LIQUID HOSE ON SPRAYER ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Rose spray suitable for spraying seedlings and young plants.
OSMOCOTE ALL PURPOSE LIQUID HOSE ON SPRAYER DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- Not reusable!
This Holman QuikMix 450mL Spray Gun was a spur of the moment purchase. At $14.98 (2024 AUD) it is a cheaper alternative to the Ortho hose end sprayer. The rose spray has a gently flow and the on/off switch is easy to use. A big plus is that it has a swivel handle that allows you to set it on the ground when the hose is attached without it falling over. But though the dial has six settings even on the lowest setting the liquid fertiliser mix rate is too high for my liking. And at just 450 mil I find the bottle to be too small.
However, while it has its faults I think it is a reasonable spray gun if you are looking for a budget option.
My Holman QuikMix 450mL Spray Gun. Note that the connector on the end of the spray gun is not the original one, it’s a Hoselink connector.
Video of my Holman QuikMix 450mL Spray Gun showing how the nozzle swivels to avoid tipping the bottle over. The Ortho Dial N Spray Hose-End Sprayer has a tendency to tip over when placed on the ground while the hose is attached, which can result in some of the liquid fertilser spilling out.
HOLMAN QUIKMIX 450ML SPRAY GUN ADVANTAGES SUMMARY
ADVANTAGES
- Rose spray suitable for spraying seedlings and young plants.
- Cheap price.
- Swivel handle allows bottle to be set down without falling over.
HOLMAN QUIKMIX 450ML SPRAY GUN DISADVANTAGES SUMMARY
DISADVANTAGES
- Small size bottle.
- Lowest dial settings still too high.
There are many other types of hose-end sprayers on the market but as I have only talked about the ones that I have used myself those other sprayers are not listed here. If you are considering buying a hose-end sprayer I suggest you seek out reviews of some of the other sprayers as well as considering the sprayers I have reviewed here.
