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Pennsylvania

For my compost tea etc. I want to use a good pump sprayer. We have a nice one in the shed that my dad uses for spraying weeds on the side of the driveway. If I clean it out really good, will it be safe to use?

3/11/2009 3:48:06 PM

Whidbey Island

Get one for poison and one for teas, etc. That way you can't be sorry. You would hate to forget to clean and get a dose of badness on the vine.

3/11/2009 7:35:09 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

It's best to get a dedicated sprayer for your tea. Anything used for spraying the yard should stay for that purpose. I ended up getting one just for roundup, one for tea, one for the other ferts or (garlic barrier), and one just for SVB spraying. Then no mistakes on what was in what last.

3/11/2009 7:58:20 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Get separate sprayers. I have one for Roundup with a big skull and crossbones on so I won't forget and one for everything else. It's not worth the risk. Jim

3/12/2009 12:30:45 PM

Pennsylvania

So it's only bad if I would forget to clean it out? My dad is always sure to clean it out good because my mom uses it for her garden too. So even if I would forget to clean it, my dad would've done it too. Also, if I don't forget it's twice as clean. I'm on a real tight budget too, so is it ok if I use it under these conditions?

3/12/2009 4:04:04 PM

They have chemicals specifically formulated for cleaning tanks (may be called "tank wash" - I can't remember). Obviously, there are large spray rigs that get used for multiple purposes, and a farmer can't drop $60k each on two or three different dedicated rigs, so they use this stuff.

That said, I'd be as nervous as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs using a (non-dedicated) back pack sprayer. It's a good way to win the "Homer Simpson" award from the PGVG (by killing all your plants). There's a place out here that sells a knock-off brand of back pack sprayers for $30. Pretty cheap compared to what some people spend on seeds. (Okay, pretty cheap compared to what I've spent on seeds.)

3/12/2009 4:31:48 PM

Columbus,ohio

If it is all on you plants why would it matter...I mean the stuff is gonna get mixed anyway. No weed killer tho. If you a andersons they have 1 gollan tanks sprayers for like 10 bucks

3/12/2009 4:35:34 PM

Columbus,ohio

15 bucks my bad

3/12/2009 4:35:44 PM

Eastern Pennsylvania

Sam, compression sprayers are cheaper than you probably think so check out buying one before you make up your mind. Perhaps your parents would consider splitting the cost with you if it is to be shared by everyone. Good luck -Jim

3/12/2009 5:15:11 PM

Minnesota

They have them for 15 dollars 1 gallon where I live also, wal mart.

3/12/2009 5:20:31 PM

Sandbagging aside, I've used Round-up in a sprayer and 10 minutes later used the same sprayer for ferts. You simply need to flush it out. Think about it. One tiny drop of round-up left in a sprayer then mixed with 2 GALLONS of liquid isn't going to effect the plant.

The most critical part is flushing out the sprayer nozzle....don't ask how I learned that! Done this hundreds of times.

3/13/2009 9:34:06 AM

Central Ca

On the farm we use an ammonium sulfate and sugar mixture to clean out herbicide containers to use for anything else. Of course your still not going to reach those microscopic bumps and cracks where the original chemical just wont let go but, it wont affect anything.

3/13/2009 11:31:13 AM