Choosing a Fertilizer Injection System

Hi everyone :)

I've decided that I'd like to install a fertilizer injector into my home irrigation system, but am totally confused about the different choices.

I went to see my local irrigation specialist today. They showed me a couple of products:

One was a Venturi-type injector, which they said would cost about $450, but would be difficult to set up because of the need to get the pressure just right with this kind of setup

The other was a Dosation injector, which they said would be easy to install since it would work the same at any water pressure, the price for that one was $850

I went away to do some more research, and have found a range of products online from under $20 for this add-it injector: http://www.amazon.com/Drip-Rite-Irrigation-Products-fertilizer/dp/B00065266U (they also come in bigger versions for a little more money), to well over a thousand dollars for some other systems. The Add-It injector also claims to work the same way at any pressure (provided it's over 10 PSI), and I don't really understand how it's different from the $850 Dosation product. I think the Dosation is more configurable in terms of the fertilizer to water ratio, but surely that can't be the only difference?

Can someone please give me some advice on what to look out for when choosing my fertigation system?

Are you talking about fertilizer for turf? Only 2 or 3 applications are recommended per year. Is it that difficult to apply granules with a spreader and have better control over the amount distributed?

I agree with dp, 2-3X per year on fertilizing the lawn and you can put out slow release fertilizer in flower beds and with shrubs. This is the most economical way to do things and theres no upkeep on it. Usually these are used in specilized areas like arboritiums, golf courses (high end ones) etc. But if you want to spend the money I don't know about any of those systems sorry.

I agree with the others, I dont doubt for a minute that the very expensive ones will work good, but to be able to understand the systems you have been quoted for, if I were you, I would be inclined to ask these people if they could give you an idea of where these systems are already installed so you could have a look at them in working order and the running costs / savings you would have, it would be a better way to try understand all that is needed time-wise / fertilisers etc, and ask any questions too,, you dont say the size of your plot area you wish to use this system on, but if it is an average size garden, then the spreader system mentioned above and hand feeding beds with pellets etc would use up about half a day a couple of times a year. but maybe you are away from your property for long periods, in that case, maybe cost what it would be for someone to feed the area while your absent. wish I could help you further. Good luck anyway whatever you chose.
WeeNel.

I'm mainly talking about trees and shrubs, some fruit trees. It's a fairly large garden (15 irrigation stations), and I'm looking to use this system to deliver soil conditioners (such as seasol) and general purpose fertilizers. It is recommended that seasol is applied every couple of weeks all year round to build soil structure and promote microbe growth in the soil.

This message was edited Sep 4, 2008 8:25 PM