Types of Garden and Agricultural Sprayers
Hand Pump Spray Bottle (1–2 L)
For targeted spot spraying of weeds, indoor plants, small areas. Pumped by hand and held in one hand. Maximum usefulness for household or houseplant use. Not suitable for any meaningful garden area — refilling becomes the main job.
Compression Sprayer (5–16 L)
A pressure vessel that's hand-pumped to pressure, then releases spray via a wand and nozzle. Available as handheld (5 L) or backpack (12–16 L). The most common garden sprayer type. Best for: Weed treatment, pest and fungicide spraying on borders and beds, disinfection, small orchard spraying.
Backpack Battery Sprayer (12–20 L)
Same tank capacity as a manual backpack sprayer, but with a small 12V battery-powered pump replacing manual compression. Delivers consistent pressure throughout the tank without re-pumping. Significantly less fatiguing for large areas. Best for: Large gardens, professional landscaping, allotments, orchards.
Wheeled Garden Sprayer (20–50 L)
A tank on a wheeled trolley, pushed by hand. Larger capacity reduces refill trips. Battery or petrol-powered pump. Best for: Market gardens, large properties, regular professional use.
Tow-Behind Sprayer (200–400 L)
Mounted on a small trailer towed by a tractor, ATV, or utility vehicle. Boom width 5–12 metres covers large areas quickly. Best for: Agricultural land, large estates, weed or fertiliser application over hectares.
Key Specifications
- Tank material: HDPE (polyethylene) is chemical-resistant and UV-stable. Avoid cheap polypropylene tanks — they become brittle in sunlight
- Seals: Chemical-resistant Viton or EPDM seals for herbicide use. Standard rubber seals deteriorate rapidly with concentrated herbicides
- Nozzle type: Flat fan for uniform coverage, hollow cone for penetration into dense canopies, adjustable for versatility
- Pressure range: 1–6 bar adjustable range covers most applications
FAQ
Can I use the same sprayer for herbicides and fertilisers?
Only if you flush extremely thoroughly between uses. Residual herbicide in a sprayer used for liquid fertiliser will damage or kill the plants you're trying to feed. Ideally, dedicate separate sprayers to herbicide and non-herbicide use and label them clearly.