Hose End Sprayer for Applying Compost Tea to Lawn

by Marshall
(Guymon, OK USA)

I would like to have a setup where I could take a couple gallons of fresh brewed compost tea and apply it to my lawn using a hose end sprayer. I have a hose end sprayer, but it only holds about a quart of concentrate at a time. Anybody have such a setup or know of this type of sprayer? Something that would connect to a 3 liter or even two liter soda bottle might be workable.

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May 21, 2012
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Compost Tea Hose End Sprayer
by: Greg

Hey Marshall,

I have seen only one large, half gallon sized container and that was for commercial application. And of course I can’t find the link now that I need it!
I think that from a manufacturers standpoint the problem is the weight. A large container is too much for the average person to use comfortably for any length of time. A gallon of water is what? around 8 pounds? Even just four pounds would just take all the fun out of it in a few minutes, for me anyway.
Demographically speaking, there are more ladies who are active in their lawns and gardens than men which is another reason for the convenient size. I have only seen one down-stream siphon injector for fertilizer that was a half gallon size. There just isn’t enough market demand for larger sizes, I suppose it is due to the average lawn and garden size.
I guess I am just getting older, but I really don’t mind having an excuse to stop and have some ice tea! It’s getting hot out there!
I would think however, that if you put your mind to it, you might be able to find a larger container that could screw on to your sprayer somewhere, there has got to be something that you could scavenge.
I have a 16 gallon electric sprayer from Northstar that I tow around with my tractor for when I get Really Serious about spraying. It was around $130 bucks a few years back. You could always strap one on a dolly and pull it around if you need to do a large area quickly without any delays. Hope that gives you a couple ideas to run with.

May 23, 2012
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applying AACT to your lawn
by: Lucid Bear

Hey buddy…best idea I could come up with, and the one I’ve been succesfully using involves a simple in-line or sub pump capable of pushing at least 500 g.p.h. preferably more, and I use a coil hose cause its easier to manuever…just run an ext cord to pump in your resevoir,pump to hose then set up in the middle of your yard & spray around in a circle.
Or, if you want lounge in your hammock & daydream you can do everything the same…except set-up the sprinkler in place of you. *Don’t forget to grass-cycle or drive over the leaves with mower & spread em on the lawn so ya got some organic matter for your microbial farmers 2 eat!
Hope this helps…
New Hampshire Bear

Jul 02, 2012
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Hose End Sprayer & Siphon Jet Methods
by: Ken_in_Texas

1) Most hose end sprayers use a siphon tube that goes inside the screw-on canister. Remove the canister and siphon tube. Buy a 4 foot length of clear plastic tubing that will fit into the siphon hole of the hand held unit or cut off a 1 inch lenght of the original siphon tube and attach the clear plastic hose. Next, get an old 1 gallon milk jug, fill it with compost tea, insert the other end of the clear tubing and spray away.

2) Use an inline brass Siphon Jet ( I use the Dramm model ) and a rotating pulsating (impulse) lawn sprinkler.
The Siphon Jet is installed on the input of the sprinkler. Next attach the garden hose and insert the tubing from the siphon jet into the milk jug or any other size container ( I use a 5 gallon bucket) and spray away.

Either method will give a dilution ratio of 1:16 or 1:20.
I have been using both methods for the last 5 years on 13,000 square feet of yard.

Dec 09, 2012
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Hozon Sypon
by: Anonymous

I have this syphon and have been pleased with it. I use it with a 5 gal bucket for watering in the garden.

http://hozon.com/

Mar 27, 2013
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My concerns with hose end sprayer….
by: Michael

I have been trying different methods for about 2 years now, applying my compost tea to my lawn that is. What I use is very easy to find.
First I make my tea in a large storage container,about 30 gals, I use rainwater… My concern with using a hose end sprayer would be mixing the tap water with the live compost tea!
So I drop in a submersable sump pump. Most will have several adaptors that you can attach your garden hose to. To spray on my lawn I just use an adustable spray nozzle. Works great for me…. Oh by the way…. When making my tea I use a fine mesh bag so the loose compost won’t clog the sprayer.
I hope this helps, my lawn is getting better each year.
Michael

Mar 31, 2013
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Pump vs hose end sprayer??
by: Anonymous

Will chlorinated hose-water kill beneficial microbes if I use a hose end sprayer?? Should I use pump sprayer instead??

Mar 14, 2014
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Hose Siphon with inline Chlorine/Chloramine filter
by: M.Vormwald

I just came along so even though this is old, I’ll comment anyway…
One could use the Hozon brass injecter for about $21 and an inline chlorine/chloramine filter for about $35.

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