[pennstater2005]

Just curious as to what each members preference is regarding applications to your lawn be it fertilizers or herbicides.

I sprayed Prodiamine last year but it was not an enjoyable experience. I'm considering a granular application this year.

What do you prefer?

 

[Pete1313]

Granular for fertilizer. Spray for pre-m, post-m, and primo. You get a more even coverage when spraying a pre-m.

 

[Ware]

I used to prefer granular, but my push sprayer changed that. Before that, I dreaded backpack applications.

 

[J_nick]

Granular for fertilizer. Spray for pre-m, post-m, and primo. You get a more even coverage when spraying a pre-m.

+1

 

[pennstater2005]

I used to prefer granular, but my push sprayer changed that. Before that, I dreaded backpack applications.

I think that's my issue. I have a backpack and about 15k sq ft to spray. It was brutal last year. I see the Chapin 20v on here and am thinking about it.

 

[Ware]

I think that's my issue. I have a backpack and about 15k sq ft to spray. It was brutal last year...

You're not crazy - I wouldn't want to backpack 15k.

 

[pennstater2005]

Actually it was the 24v Chapin push sprayer. I just saw the thread on it. Time to read I guess.

 

[Mightyquinn]

I use to feel the same way about spraying like everyone else has said already but since putting my Franken Sprayer together it has opened up a whole new world for me. I actually dread granular now as I see it as a very inefficient way of applying products since there are a lot of factors involved due to prill size and since mowing reel low the prills just sit on top of the grass and take forever to get washed down into the soil.

I'm going ALL liquid this year which will actually save me money and time as I will be able to apply multiple products at one time and also be able to fine tune my fertilizer applications.

 

[ABC123]

All depends on what equipment availability you have.

 

[ericgautier]

Spraying before getting the 20v = :x
Spraying after getting the 20v = :mrgreen:

Fertilizer I use granular. Everything else I prefer spraying now.

 

[Ridgerunner]

All depends on what equipment availability you have.

and what products you regularly apply.

Sometimes it doesn't come down to the best or most efficient method.
I apply granular fertilizer and pre-m. I don't apply PGR or ferrous sulphate, nor do I need or want to blanket apply herbicides and I seldom have needed to apply a fungicide (knock on wood), so investing in a walk behind sprayer would be a real luxury that I can't justify.

 

[pennstater2005]

Spraying before getting the 20v = :x
Spraying after getting the 20v = :mrgreen:

Fertilizer I use granular. Everything else I prefer spraying now.

Is that 20v the backpack?

 

[wardconnor]

I am going to build a MQ Franken Sprayer. I can not go another season with a pump backpack sprayer. I enjoy putting down granules for fert.

 

[g-man]

@Mightyquinn I see this in your profile, EZ-FLO Irrigation injector system. Do you use it? for?

 

[ericgautier]

Is that 20v the backpack?

Yes it is. :thumbup:

 

[Mightyquinn]

@Mightyquinn I see this in your profile, EZ-FLO Irrigation injector system. Do you use it? for?

Yes, I still do use it. I bought it many years ago for applying different things that just never panned out. Now I just use it to apply a wetting agent H20 Maximizer Pellets, I will usually take one pellet and melt it in 1 gallon of water and put that into the EZFLO and I will also put either a pound of 46-0-0 or some Miracle Gro that I had sitting around in there with it to give my irrigation water a little boost. It's nice to have and really easy to install and use but not sure if I would buy it again. I also set it on the lowest setting and get about a month of application out of it.

 

[pennstater2005]

so investing in a walk behind sprayer would be a real luxury that I can't justify.

This is kind of where I'm at now. I usually only do a pre emergent twice a year with fertilizers mixed in. That's why I'm leaning toward trying a granular pre emergent again this year and monitor the results versus last years spray. The only other spraying I do is when I spot spray weeds.

 

[Ware]

so investing in a walk behind sprayer would be a real luxury that I can't justify.

This is kind of where I'm at now. I usually only do a pre emergent twice a year with fertilizers mixed in. That's why I'm leaning toward trying a granular pre emergent again this year and monitor the results versus last years spray. The only other spraying I do is when I spot spray weeds.

For that, I think you guys are spot on. It's the frequent PGR apps (every ~21 days) that drew me to a push sprayer.

 

[g-man]

The other item to consider is cost. Liquid preM is fairly inexpensive compared with granular. A small lawn (5k), it is not a big difference. For half an acre or more, granular becomes expensive. Someone should do the ROI of granular against a chapin. It might be less than 2yrs for a 20k lawn.

 

[dfw_pilot]

This is very anecdotal because there are a lot of varying factors, but I've had much better crabgrass control since switching to spraying my Prodiamine. I used to spread Dimension granules, and for whatever reason, it wasn't as effective, in both coverage and price.