How to Mix and Apply Liquid Lawn Care Products

If you are new to lawn care, the idea of using a spray tank may seem like a daunting task. Fortunately, applying spray tank products is not nearly as difficult as it sounds. Knowing how to apply liquid lawn care products is a big part of regular lawn maintenance. Whether you’re applying liquid disease control products, fertilizer, insect control or another liquid product, using a spray tank is a fairly simple process. Today, we’ll walk you through helpful tips for properly mixing and applying spray tank products to your yard. By following all directions precisely, there is no reason to be concerned about using a spray tank for treating your lawn or garden.

Safety Tips for Spray Application

When working with lawn care products, it’s essential to read the label thoroughly and follow all safety guidelines. It’s important to see what the products treat, don’t treat, and what kinds of grasses they may damage. Labels might also go into detail about when it’s best to apply products during certain times of the year. Other details to look for are mix rates and how much of an area a single product will cover. Always wear protective gear, including gloves, long sleeves and safety goggles. Be sure to follow the mixing directions on the label and contact the manufacturer for any questions regarding the product.

Perform a Jar Test

Before filling your spray tank, it’s beneficial to perform a small jar test to check the solution’s consistency. If the solution isn’t mixed correctly, it can clog the nozzle and possibly damage the spray tank. Thus, testing the solution beforehand will ensure it’s safe to pour into the tank.

Simply fill an empty jar with the correct ratios of the water and chemical products. Shake the jar and check the consistency of the solution. Once you are sure the mixture is correct, you may fill the tank and proceed with applying it to your lawn.

Make a Test Application First

Whether you’re fertilizing your lawn or treating it with herbicide, applying a test application will ensure your lawn can handle the solution. An error in the mixture or using the wrong product for your grass type can cause major damage to your lawn. For this reason, start by applying a small amount to your grass and wait a few days for any symptoms to occur.

Include a Surfactant with the Mixture

Mixing a surfactant with your solution can help the product stick to the surface being sprayed upon. This, in turn, will increase the product’s effectiveness. Additionally, including a spray indicator dye with the mixture can prevent you from over-spraying your lawn. Simply add it to your spray tank along with the product being used.

Walk Speed

Once the solution is properly mixed, the next step is applying it to your lawn. Because you will be carrying the spray tank throughout your entire yard, it’s important to find a pace that works for you. There is no standard for how fast you have to spray your lawn. Simply find a walking speed that is comfortable for you and that effectively applies the product to your lawn.

Always read the application directions for the specific product being used, as some lawn chemicals are only compatible with certain grass types. Additionally, the solution being used may be most effective if applied during a certain temperature or time of the day.

Cleaning the Spray Tank

Once the application is complete, the final step is cleaning the spray tank for future use. Leaving chemicals in the tank can affect your next application by contaminating the mixture. For this reason, cleaning the tank immediately after application is essential.

To clean the spray tank, empty all contents and fill the tank with water. Shake it and pour the water back out. While this may be enough to clean your tank, it’s beneficial to fill it a second time with soap and water. This time, spray the water out to clean the spray tank with a pump.

After emptying the soapy water, fill the tank a final time with clean water, shake it and empty it back out. This will clean all the spray tank parts, including the pump system.

Using a spray tank for the first time does not have to be challenging if you follow these tips and read the label’s directions. If you’re unsure about anything during the mixing or application process, reach out to the product’s manufacturer or contact a landscape professional to help you properly treat your lawn.