How to Fertigate

When You're Ready to Fertigate, DO IT RIGHT!

In the past, some growers have ignored farm chemical and ground water ordinances, to the detriment of the entire agriculture industry. It really doesn't cost much more to do the job properly than to cheat. FertigationDirect.com gives you the equipment you need to DO IT RIGHT -- at the LOWEST POSSIBLE COST because you buy direct from the factory.

Preliminary Questions

If you don't know the answer to these questions, you need to consult an agronomist -- regardless of how you intend to apply fertilizer!

What is your crop's fertilizer requirements (N,P,K and trace elements) by weight over the growing season?
Do these requirements change over the season?
Roughly, how often do you need to irrigate?
What are the N, P, K and trace element contents of your fertilizer?
Is your fertilizer appropriate for fertigation? (consult your fertilizer dealer)

Using the answers to these questions, calculate the weight of your fertilizer you need to apply per irrigation run at the "peak demand" part of the season.

Before You Fertigate...

Calculate from how many gallons of fertilizer liquid need to be applied per irrigation run.
- If you will be buying liquid fertilizer, use its N-P-K-trace content to calculate how many gallons are needed to provide the weight you calculated above.
- If you will be dissolving solid fertilizer in water in a mix tank, plan on using a gallon of water to dissolve about three pounds of fertilizer (this varies depending on the fertilizer composition - do a "bucket test" first to be sure).
Calculate how many gallons of fertilizer liquid need to be injected PER HOUR to get the right quantity onto the field in one irrigation run. This is the MAXIMUM INJECTION RATE you need, in gallons per hour.

Using the FD95

You can set the FD95 to inject at any rate from 0 to 95 gallons per hour. Injection rate is easily set while the machine is running. The on-board flowmeter gives an instantaneous, accurate indication of how much fertilizer is being applied. No need for complicated calibrate/shutdown/adjust/startup/recalibrate procedures like for some piston pumps.

NOTE: While the FD95 has an infinite adjustment range from 95 gallons per hour down to 0 gallons per hour, all flowmeters are less accurate at their extreme bottom end. Therefore, you'll get less accuracy at rates under 5 gallons per hour. If you need to inject smaller amounts of fertilizer, it's best to make a more dilute fertilizer mixture and inject at a higher rate for better accuracy.

Government Requirements

Of course, before you fertigate, you need to have legal equipment. This normally consists of a chemigation check valve or backflow preventer in your irrigation line and an injector that meets all federal and state requirements. If you don't already have a backflow preventer installed in your irrigation system, consult your irrigation equipment dealer for a backflow preventer approved for your state and locality.

FertigationDirect injectors meet legal requirements for injectors in all 50 states, including EPA 87-1 as amended and all state fertigation codes.