You don’t have to be a gardening expert to understand that you need the best fertilizer injector for drip irrigation to achieve the desired results for your garden. It is worth noting that whether you are doing it for fun or for profit, the plants will need the same care level. But what features make the fertilizer injector special? Sure, there are so many available on the market, which begs why you should choose one over the other? If such questions are troubling you, then you are at the right place. That’s because we have reviewed the best of them. So that you can easily take your decision. We have also outlined the main features to look for in any fertilizer injector.
With our guide, you can decide which one to go for your garden. That shouldn’t be too hard. Without wasting any time, let’s get started on it immediately.
Best Fertilizer Injector for Drip Irrigation Reviews
So, lets start the main review…
1. Best Overall: Chapin Fertilizer Injector
Our first fertilizer injector comes from the famous Chapin brand. The Chapin hydrofeed fertilizer injector is a 2-gallon tank with a large 4-inch opening that allows you to fill it up with a mix of liquid fertilizer quickly. With the variable rate adjustment, this liquid fertilizer injector allow to get up to 10oz of product on every gallon.
The tank is translucent, which means you can easily monitor the level of fertilizer. That means you won’t come back to find an empty tank as you can see the level rise or fall. This liquid fertilizer feeder is best for mixing water with granular concentrates. It is also ideal for fish emulsion applications. That means it is a relatively versatile injector that won’t limit you to just one use. You will also love this injector because it has standard hose fittings that enable you to connect it to an irrigation system or hose spigot. Furthermore, the rigid inlet tube has a filter that ensures no debris enters the tank.
With no debris in the tank, it is easier to mix the fertilizer and inject it into the drip for seamless irrigation. It will also allow you to empty the tank quickly whenever you finish using it. Apart from this fertilizer injector being efficient, it is also great at conserving water. It, therefore, would be worth trying out, considering that it comes at a very affordable price compared to other injectors.
Things we like about the product
- It is efficient and helps conserve water in irrigation
- The drain plug valve allows for faster emptying for the tank after use
- It has a filter at the inlet tube to keep out debris
- It has wide applications not just for irrigation
Things we do not like about the product
- This injactor tends to start leaking at the gasket after several uses
- It doesn’t work that well for fertilizing potted plants but is work very well for fertilizing vegetable garden
2. Fertilizer injector for drip irrigation: EZ Flo Fertilizer Injector
Another excellent option if you are looking for a fertilizer injector is the EZ flo automatic fertilizer system. It can connect to your garden hose, an outdoor faucet, or tap to provide a consistent fertilizer supply to your garden or plants. It is highly efficient and used on a professional scale as a greenhouse fertilizer injector, garden centers, and home gardeners. That is because it can work with any fertilizer type provided it is liquid soluble. You can connect this fertilizer injection system through a faucet, a sprinkler, a watering gun, or even a watering nozzle. Moreover , this product can also be use as fertilizer injector for hose. That enables it to provide you with a fast and reliable way to dispense fertilizer to your plants.
In case you want to adjust the feeding rate, the dial on the lid takes care of that if, on a fast setting, the feed ratio is 100:1 and 1000:1 on the slow setting. You can thus have it ready to dispense fertilizer within no time.This injector is also relatively easy to install and use. It is an intelligent injector with a cap that automatically starts mixing and proportioning fertilizer whenever it senses changes in the pressure and flow.
Things we like about the product
- Easy to use and install
- It is versatile and can work with multiple types of water dispensers
- The cap on the lid provides automatic fertilizer mixing
- It is highly efficient
Things we do not like about the product
- The bottle isn’t that durable and can easily rapture
- Its seal is fragile and easily breaks off
3. Adjustable Fertilizer Injector: Newtry fertilizer Injector
The Newtry fertilizer injector will help you save on staffing by dispensing fertilizer to your garden. It has an efficient working principle that ensures it doesn’t lose too much pressure when in use. With the dynamic sealing technology, this injector has more accuracy and efficiency. Additionally, the cylinder design will ensure more uniform mixing of water with fertilizer.It is an easy-to-use injector that should have you using it a few minutes after getting it out of the box. To ensure it is in top condition, manufactures will test it before shipping it to you.
The injectors start working immediately you connect the water to the pipe. You can easily adjust the flow rate to fit the speeds you want when injecting the fertilizer. Rotating the sleeve will give you the ratio you need. Another thing you will love with this injector is the durability. Its shell has reinforced composite material that ensures waterproof expansion and resistance to wear and tear. That provides the injector with extended service life. Overall, this is a decent fertilizer injector that should be worth the money. So, please don’t shy away from trying it.
Things we like about the product
- The composite reinforced material makes it durable
- It is easy to use
- It will provide you with more accuracy and efficiency
- The efficient working principle ensures no pressure drop-offs
Things we do not like about the product
- The seal kit wears out too fast
- Its instructions aren’t that clear, causing challenges when installing.
4. Fertilizer injector for irrigation system: EZ-Flo 1.5 Gallon Fertilizer Injector
Another injector you can use to dispense water-soluble fertilizer is the EZ-Flo injector. It is a standard capacity automatic fertilizer injector that capably works with a 1.5-gallon liquid tank. To connect it to the main irrigation line, it has coupling (straight through) that you will insert in the mainline behind the valves. Two tubes branch off the coupling and join it to the tank.It works with the venturi principle to meter fertilizer inside the tank while the water flows from the coupling. With an increase in water flow, there will be a corresponding increase in the fertilizer that moves out of the tank.
It is a relatively easy-to-use injector. You can have it ready to use within minutes after getting out of the box. Shutting off the inlet and outlet valves is fast and straightforward. If you appreciate easy-to-use equipment, then you will love this fertilizer injector. Despite its considerably higher price, it is worth every penny for the ease of use and versatility. You can use it for any irrigation project you are carrying out.
Things we like about the product
- Easy to use and install
- This item is versatile and can work for various types of irrigation systems
- It works on a simple principle that ensures sufficient mixing and flow of fertilizer
- This injector is also quite durable, thanks to the quality materials that make it.
Things we do not like about the product
- The product might have trouble mixing up all the water-soluble fertilizer
- It is hard to connect it with the mainline water system
Important Points to Remember
- The injector must have a backflow valve that will prevent the fertilizer from contaminating the central water supply system. It should also have an anti- siphon valve that will prevent irrigation water from flowing back into the fertilizer tank.
- It is prudent always carefully to read the injector’s manual before starting to set it up. That will save you a lot of time and enable you to have it ready faster.
Factors to Consider Before Purchasing The Best Fertilizer Injector for Drip Irrigation
Flow Rate of the Fertilizer Injector
The flow rate is when the mix of water and the water-soluble fertilizer will leave the injectors tank or reservoir. This plays a significant role in how the injector injects fertilizer into the water supply and the plants.You should ensure you check if this rate can be adjusted on your injector. And whether it would be unsuitable for you before buying. You can calculate the flow rate of your irrigation system to know which injector to choose.
Budget of the fertilizer injector: Can You Afford it
Your budget determines most of the things you can afford and those that you eventually buy. That is the same with injectors as well. While there are good deals out there, you should be wary of the overly cheap products. As much as they will save you money, cheap products might have a few drawbacks that will make you regret buying them. That is why you need to ensure you go for an injector that is well within your budget to avoid future regret or financial strain. It would best to remember that not all expensive things are worth the money. So again, don’t blindly buy expensive injectors even if you can afford them. Instead, weigh all the features and relate them to the price.
Durability: Will It Stand the Test of Time
While the amount of time a fertilizer injector should last will depend on how carefully you handle it, you still need it to be durable. That means the tank having a body that is resistant to the elements or wear and tear.
Injectors will deteriorate with every use, but it doesn’t have to be that fast. Fortunately, the injectors on our list are proven to be long-lasting as they are made of quality material. Always remember to check whether the injector has durable material before buying it.
Tank Capacity of the fertilizer injector: How Much Can It Hold
Except for one injector, all the others have tanks. You should consider the tank capacity before purchasing an injector since it will determine the amount of time you will spend refilling it. It also directly corresponds to the amount of fertilizer you can mix.
Injectors with larger tanks will obviously have the upper hand and will save you lots of time. That is why this should be among the things to look out for.
Ease of Use: How Easy Is it to use
The ease of use applies not only to fertilizer injectors but also to any other equipment you buy. Some injectors are relatively challenging to use, thanks to the features that come with them.
To ensure you avoid this, you should ensure you get one that will give you an easier time using it. That means getting an injector that has a simple design that you can easily wrap your head around.
Size of the fertilizer injector
How large will your operation be? It is essential to ask yourself this question before purchasing an injector. If you are doing it on a large scale, you will need a larger injector with a higher capacity and flow rate.
If, on the other hand, all you need is an injector for your small garden in your backyard, a small one will suffice.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is a fertilizer injector system?
These are devices you use to dispense water-soluble fertilizers, plant growth regulators, pesticides, or mineral agents to plants. They are integral in modern farming and will help spur the amount of produce to higher amounts.They come in different types, with some large enough to service over 10,000 square feet of land. Using them saves a lot of time and increases farming efficiency leading to more productivity
2. When do you inject fertilizer through irrigation?
The best time to inject fertilizer through irrigation is in the last stages of irrigation. That is because water won’t wash away the fertilizer, and it will thus be in contact with the plants for a longer time.It will require you to understand several things to appropriately time it. You will have to know how long the water takes to reach the farthest point of your garden or land to know the ideal time to do it.If you mistime the fertilization process, the plants won’t get sufficient fertilizer for growth. You wouldn’t get the returns you yearn for.
3. What is the best way to fertilize using a drip system?
The best way to fertilize with a drip system is to ensure you know the amount of fertilizer you need before mixing it with the water. You will have to ensure you get it right in the mix before linking the injector to the irrigation system.By wetting the soil with drip irrigation, fertilizing will be easier. It will also enable the roots to take up more nutrients from the fertilizer. It will also reduce the chances of leaching as well as having your water.
4. Can I use Organic Fertilizer?
You can use organic fertilizer with a drip irrigation system so long as the fertilizer is water-soluble. If it isn’t soluble, it could block the injector's fertilizer passages and lead to the system malfunctioning. That is why it is so vital that you use a soluble fertilizer.There are several types of organic fertilizer that are water-soluble and will work well with your drip irrigation fertilizer injector. If you see any blockages, change out the fertilizer or apply it in smaller amounts.
5.How does a Venturi fertilizer injector work?
The Venturi system forces water through a conical opening that creates a pressure difference between the outlet and inlet. This will form a vacuum inside the injector, which causes the suction port to suck out whatever mixture is in the injector body.It is the simplest system of fertigation and is common on most injector systems.
Conclusion
We hope you now know the best fertilizer injector for drip irrigation and choose one that works for you. As you might have seen, choosing a drip irrigation fertilizer injector isn’t a complicated affair, more so if you have read our guide to the end. As with any other farm equipment, your budget will determine which injector you go for. That, however, doesn’t mean you are choosing cheap injectors that wouldn’t fit your needs. You also need to consider the size of your operation. If you are working with a large farm, you will need a larger injector to work for the vast land size. If, on the other hand, you have a smaller area, a small injector will work just fine.
The choice over which one to go for lies with you since only you know what injector best fits your garden irrigation system. We hope our guide did an excellent job guiding you to the right place and helping you decide faster.
Good luck.
