Why You Need To Eliminate Weeds In The Garden

There are countless products and chemicals out there, including the portable garden sprayer, which are designed to help anyone from an amateur gardener to a professional farmer kill weeds. This would suggest that there are some very valid reasons why getting rid of your weeds is in your best interest. 

Though not the most important factor, many people are motivated to begin weeding for appearance reasons, and this is probably a fair point. Weeds not only look unattractive themselves, but they can strangle your other flowers too, meaning that the whole garden bed can soon be a tangle of thistles and creepers. Weeds can also be a nuisance outside of the garden bed, perhaps in between the paving cracks or growing up through the gravel. These latter situations are far easier to deal with, as you can just drown the area in weed killer. The pavement or gravel is hardly going to be negatively impacted, whereas when there are other plants in close proximity you have to be more careful. 

Other than for appearances’ sake, you will also want to kills weeds so that they present no competition for your plants or crops that you are trying to grow. The problem is that weeds require the same energy and nutrition as your other plants, but there is often not enough to go around. Weeds will spread their coverage quickly, meaning that they have greater surface area to steal sunlight and water, as well as soil nutrients which were initially intended for your plants. While evolutionarily speaking, all plants have some ability to fight off weeds so that they can survive and grow, unfortunately that is not usually how it plays out in your garden. You see, in most cases, the plants that we choose to put in our garden have been bred specially over the years to display certain characteristics. These might be a sweeter fruit or a brighter flower. By contrast, weeds focus their adaptation towards efforts of stealing water and sun. They are therefore difficult to beat. 

As weeds slowly strangle your plants, it weakens them and leaves them open to pest attack and disease infestation. What is perhaps more concerning is that the weeds themselves can be the source of said diseases. The dense weed canopy can provide a refuge for all sorts of creepy crawlies, from slugs and snails to caterpillars. Before you know it, you precious leaves may be being nibbled away at. Did you know that weeds have adapted to germinate early in the season and gain an advantage over their fellow plant competition? This means that pests will be present right from the start of the season and your crops or plants will not have a chance. In early spring when young growths are at their most vulnerable, the pests will be ready. Another common issue is aphids which are notoriously difficult to eradicate once they have settled.

Professionals will be concerned not only about the growing but also about the harvesting process when there are weeds present. Most harvesting these days is done via machine, and this method struggles to differentiate between weed and crop. The farmer either runs the risk of an impure and potentially dangerous harvest, or has to spend time painstakingly sorting the harvest from the weed. Of course, the best way to avoid this is to put in place a regular and reliable weed elimination effort before your weeds build up beyond control. Please chat to Green Gorilla for more Detailed Garden Sprayer Information and assistance with your weed killing efforts. 

Did You Know You Can Use Your Sprayer To Detail Your Car?

Many people buy a backpack agricultural sprayers product with the intention of getting into their gardening in a big way. If this hobby is short lived however, then you can be left with a piece of equipment that just sits in the shed collecting dust and taking up space. So why not find out more about the other uses of your portable sprayer?

A backpack sprayer can be used in a number of ways to detail and touch up your vehicle. This is something that we all need every now and then, and it is often a costly procedure if done professionally. Your agricultural sprayer can be filled with anything you like, not just pesticide, herbicides and fertilisers. You can fill it with a soapy detergent solution and spray the outside of your vehicle with it. Work in this solution with a microfiber cloth so as not to scratch the paintwork. Once you are done, rinse out the tank of all bubbles and fill it with warm water, and give the car a good rinse. A sprayer with an extension wand could be particularly helpful here in getting all of the suds and dirt out from the wheels and the grill. If you are going to do this DIY car wash, try to find a detergent that is eco-friendly so as not to harm the environment with your run off. There are plenty of DIY products you can try using a combination of household ingredients. Clean the car in this fashion on an overcast, dry day. If it is too warm or too sunny, the moisture can evaporate too quickly leaving water marks on the surface.

Next, it is time to turn your attention to the car’s interior. The back seat of the car seems to be a place where rubbish and debris just seems to accumulate with no one remembering how it got there. First, take out all of the large pieces of rubbish such as wrappers and papers out and place them in the bin. Remove the floor mats and shake them out well. If your car was really filthy, you will probably note that there is still a large amount of dirt and hair on the floor. This is where your sprayer comes in handy. Use it empty and blow much of the debris out of the car, or into a pile where it is then easier to remove. Once you have blown much of it outside, then you can use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment to suck the remaining dirt from the carpet. 

Next, you will want to shampoo and condition your upholstery and maybe even the carpet. This can be done using a very low pressure setting on your agricultural sprayer. If you are having difficulty finding an appropriate setting then you may need a different nozzle. If you are putting product into the actual sprayer it needs to not be so thick as to clog the fine nozzle. Be careful with how much water you apply here, as you do not want it to cause the seats to mould.

You might also like to disinfect some surfaces of the car, particularly the steering wheel and dashboard which come into contact with all sorts of germs. If you’re feeling very crafty and are confident that you have the right paint, you could even touch up any paint imperfections such as scratches or scuffs using the even application of the pressure sprayer. Learn more about how you can use your Old Agricultural Sprayers tank from the experts at Green Gorilla. 

Go Back To Basics With Simple Farming Technology

In recent years, overwhelming research in the agriculture industry has stressed the importance of constant innovation and bigger and better technology. Of course, if we are to continue to feed a growing population, we do need to continue to focus on improving our methods and products. Simple agricultural sprayers have been replaced with industrial spraying machines, for example. However, some of the latest, most complex machinery is not without its problems. Sometimes the most popular new trend is not all it is thought to be. It is important to do your research before jumping on the bandwagon of the latest fad.

First of all, there is in general far less control with large automatic sprayers. Compared to twenty years ago, more than double the chemical is released per hour due to faster spray rigs. However, the increase in speed has not been proportionate to an increase in efficiency. There is a tendency to use auto steer technology to make night time spraying a possibility. Unfortunately, with no one to adjust the settings for the colder climate at night, there is greater wastage, drift and resulting pollution.

This increase in drift is not only a threat to waterways and the air, but also to more sensitive surrounding crops which would usually require a much softer chemical. Examples are cotton or grapes which can be seriously affected by even minimal harsh chemical spray drift.

In response to this increase in drift as a result of newer spraying technologies, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority have begun to more thoroughly label their packaging. Chemicals now include mandatory warnings including no-spray zones, ideal wind speed, spray quality and recommended record keeping practices. These new mandatory regulations are enforceable by law. If there is evidence that you have irresponsibly applied chemical spray, then you may be eligible for a fine, a claim for compensation can be filed against you, and your insurance may be void.

The larger the spraying machine, the more room there is for error and inconsistency. Of course, some properties are simply so large that there is no other alternative than to choose an industrial sprayer. Adjusting boom height, monitoring wind speeds and keeping a steady pace can help to minimise drift. Small to medium properties however can enjoy greater success and efficiency with a backpack sprayer.

The humble backpack sprayer has a number of advantages over self-propelled or pulled spraying machinery. First of all and perhaps most obviously, is that the nozzle at the end of the spraying stem is placed right where it needs to go. Boom sprayers hover over the top of crops, but do not adjust according to the height of different specimens. Not all crops are going to be uniform in height, meaning that while some will get the right amount of product, some will get too little and others too much. A backpack sprayer by contrast puts you right in front of your individual crops, allowing you to spray as you see fit. Adjusting the length of your stem according to your height and what you feel is comfortable will allow you to remain as consistent as possible while still being able to adjust where necessary.

A range of nozzles are available for backpack sprayers, as with larger spraying machines. This means that you can easily adjust your droplet size as you move between crops. The idea is to get the coarsest droplet possible while consistently applying the product to your crop. The finer the mist, the greater the risk of drift. Drift not only adds to pollution, but it also reduces the amount of product that reaches your crop. For Expert Agricultural Sprayers Advice as well as premium products, please visit Green Gorilla.

Agricultural Sprayers Can Help Make Your Garden Flourish

Utilising agricultural sprayers in your backyard is a great way to grow your own produce. There is nothing better than heading out to your garden and harvesting your own fruits and vegetables to eat. You can be assured that nothing tastes better or is more satisfying then food you have grown yourself. Below we have outlined how to look after a humble lemon tree. Often a lemon tree is a good fruit tree to start on, with lemons a staple ingredient in a lot of foods and drinks.

Weather conditions
When most people think citrus fruits, they often think about summer. Not only are these gorgeous fruits delightful to enjoy in the warmer months, but that coincidentally is when the trees themselves are the happiest. Citrus trees thrive in sunny temperatures between 50-80A F.  When winter arrives and the temperature dramatically drops, there is the option of bringing your lemon tree inside to keep it away from the frosty conditions. 

Indoors
In the instance where you have to bring your lemon tree indoors, it’s very important to ensure it has enough natural light. A good idea is to place your tree in a sunny window, however, keep in mind that too much sun can actually result in burning the plant, so you must be careful. It is possible to purchase grow lights that will help stimulate your lemon tree’s growth indoors. Shop lights that have one cold and one warm bulb are also effective. Though it is possible to keep your lemon tree thriving by ensuring it gets enough natural light through the window.

Feeding
The period of spring to fall is considered the growing season for lemon trees and is the time you need to feed it. Cirtus plants feed off two types of fertilizers. They first is an all-purpose, slow release fertilizer, while the other is a high nitrogen fertilizer. You can even try additional foliar feeding using a liquid fertiliser. 

Watering
For any citrus plant, particularly those grown in pots, adequate watering is the best way to make it grow nicely. You should aim to keep the soil in the pot moist, but not to the point where it is considered wet.  A good way to test that the watering is correct is to push your finger into the soil. Push down up to at least the second knuckle to test. If you can feel that the soil is dry, then it’s time to water. However, if there is dampness at your fingertip, then leave watering for another day. In the instance where a watering is required, keep pouring water into the soil until it begins running out of the bottom of the pot. Make sure you purchase pot feel for your lemon tree, so water spurts out and isn’t left at a pool at the bottom for the tree to sit in all the time. If you are keeping your lemon tree inside, another good tip is to give the leaves a little spritz of water with a spray bottle from time to time. This will work wonders for your lemon tree and stop it drying out if the heating is being used.

Harvesting
The moment fruit starts growing on your citrus tree is extremely exciting. Once is begins to develop, all you want to do is pick it and enjoy the goodness.  It’s important to be patient though because if you pick it at the wrong time, it won’t be as nice as if you waited. A lemon will usually be an egg yolk yellow colour when it’s ready to be picked. When you touch it, it should be slightly soft to touch. For those people who keep their lemon tree inside during the cold period, it’s important to note that fruit can take up to a year to finally ripen. It’s crucial you wait until it’s ripe before you harvest it, as lemons actually continue to ripen whilst they’re still attached to the tree. When it’s finally time to harvest, make sure you don’t pull the lemon from the tree. While this is the most obvious way to remove the lemon, it can actually result in damage to the try. Instead use a knife or scissors to cut the fruit from the tree.

If you would like to start growing your own produce, it’s a good idea to purchase your own Agricultural Sprayers. Talk to the team at Green Gorilla

A Handy Pressure Sprayer Can Help You Clean The Carpets

Many people assume that an agricultural pressure sprayer is solely for farmers and growers. In reality, these are highly versatile tools that can be used in a range of ways, from cleaning the roof to cleaning the carpet. With the right chemical products inside, the pressure sprayer can help you achieve cleanliness throughout the home.

The hot water extraction method of carpet cleaning is far more effective than the more common steam clean. While the heat from steam does some work to loosen and remove dirt from the carpet fibres, hot water actually washes the material thoroughly. In fact, the extreme temperatures of steam in such close proximity to certain fabrics can actually cause irreversible damage, particularly singing man-made fibres or shrinking wool. You may think you know what your carpet is made from, but the results may beg to differ.

The first step is to thoroughly vacuum the carpets that you intend to clean. This may be obvious, but some people may assume that they don’t need basic cleaning measures if they are going to perform a deeper clean. It is just like mopping a floor; you wouldn’t do this without sweeping the area first, otherwise you would end up with a muddy mess. The same is true for carpet cleaning, and in fact failing to pre-vacuum is one of the top mistakes in using this method.

Now simply flooding the carpet is not going to get it clean, and the secret lies in balancing the pressure so that there is a continuous movement of water through the fibres. The pressure sprayer needs to pump water in as a high power vacuum simultaneously sucks it out. The carpet will need some drying time, but it is important to have a high powered vacuum that does most of the work. Otherwise, saturated carpet will begin to smell and could even develop mould if left to slowly dry entirely naturally over quite a few days.

Notice how this method has no form of scrubbing involved. This means that it keeps the fragile fibres of your carpets in better condition for longer, however it does also mean that stubborn staNow simply flooding the carpet is not going to get it cleins could present a problem. For contained stains such as a red wine spill, vacuum the area as much as possible before performing this procedure. If it does not work, you may wish to use a manual carpet cleansing product before repeating the hot water extraction. A widely yellowed or ageing carpet may also need a dose of shampoo to really bring out the colour it once had.

For homeowners or renters looking to keep their own carpets in top shape, a truck mounted carpet cleaner is unnecessary, not to mention out of the price range. These machines are really only for professional use, in businesses that clean carpets for a living. For personal use, a more portable device is the way to go. Besides, this is the design that allows you to do almost anything from killing weeds in the garden to hosing off the car. You can adjust the settings just like a more advanced model, meaning if you have heavy duty flooring you can get a better clean.

Cleaning carpets is not only an aesthetic practice, but of course helps to keep the home sanitised. Unfortunately, carpets do tend to trap dust and can be home to all sorts of critters. So long as it is regularly cleaned well, then this should not be a problem and you can enjoy the many other benefits of carpet in your home. To enquire about purchasing your effective pressure sprayer, or to arrange for a service, contact Green Gorilla at http://green-gorilla.com.au/.

Make the switch to the automatic spray system

For years agricultural industries have relied on manual pumping sprays for use on farms and crop. Unfortunately, there are some key issues with using a manual pump which can be easily addressed with Modern Agricultural Sprayers. With efficiency and profitability being as important as ever in the competitive and brutal farming game, there is no reason to remain in the past.

First of all, manual sprays require labour intensive pumping at intervals during use. This may not initially seem like a problem, but on an industry scale where you may be spraying hectares of land, this is certainly a complaint. Even for domestic users who are just spraying their back garden, enough work goes into digging, planting and cutting that you don’t want to be pumping your spray as well. The inconvenience of pumping has been one of the common complaints of farmers and agricultural professionals, who were consulted in the early stages of developing a convenient alternative.

This manual pumping is not only a pain, but it can also result in the spray being inconsistent. A steady, constant stream of spray is ideal, and is easily achieved with an automatic system. A patchy job would be highly inefficient, as some areas would be over sprayed while others could not receive enough of the desired chemicals. Furthermore, those plants or areas that were over sprayed may suffer damage after such exposure to certain products, and so the potential for financial loss is clear.

An auto-pressurised tank allows the sprayer to concentrate on the spraying itself, not the tiresome pumping. This way, you can be certain that all of your desired area receives the contents of your bottle in the correct amounts. While the tedious pumping once proved a problem for those looking to spray their residential gardens, newer systems are intuitive and incredibly simple to operate correctly.

It used to take many more hours to spray an entire field with older styles of sprayers. Nobody likes doing these mundane chores, and so you will be happy to learn that modern sprayers can shave off a significant percentage of the time due to the press and go nature of the pressurised tank. Modern sprayers are also informed by much research concerning the potential effect of agricultural chemicals on the environment. Small scale sprayers are highly advisable for use of pesticides and weed killers. Vehicle driven or aerial spraying of these potentially harmful chemicals could release more of the material into the surrounding environment, whereas automated tanks target the intended area directly and minimise drift. The latest designs have adjusted droplet size to minimise chemical evaporation into the air.

Guidelines for the use of pesticides also recommend using as little pressure as possible in order to protect surrounding areas. Manual pumping is not only inconsistent, but each time it is pumped up, the pressure is likely to be too high. In household settings, homeowners can be confident that any surrounding edible plants will be protected from their pesticide spraying, and industrial users can ensure that they are operating within their legal boundaries. Newer systems have retained all of the successful features of older systems. For example, they are able to be transferred simply between chemical tanks with no cross contamination. This adds to the speed with which the jobs can be completed.

It is clear that advancements in technology have made modern agricultural sprayers far more preferable to their ancient predecessors. Not only can they save users valuable time, they are also much more environmentally friendly; a growing concern in today’s day and age. Contact the knowledgeable agricultural sprayers experts at Green Gorilla on http://green-gorilla.com.au/ for all of your answers and advice.