Gardena 8313 in-Line Liquid Fertilizer Dispenser,8313-u

Update 8/18/20: I used the unit to apply Fox Farm Boomerang to a hillside of new transplant bushes and trees. 11/13 Cotoneasters did not enjoy the transplant process and this made an obvious improvement in the plants vigor and willingness to put out new growth so it did it’s job in distributing the product. NOTE: You want to have multiple 1/2” lines sitting around if you buy this. Didn’t fit my 1/2” toro line, I have some 1/2” drip line (rain bird maybe) that it did fit though so I just made little adapters with some irritec couplers. With some check valves in my drip line I added the fertilizer 1/2 dose at a time given how I figured this unit would put all the product out at first, which it definitely does. This is also why I went with a pretty gentle fertilizer, something stronger and I’d break it into at least 4 doses probably. Happy with the product, also after fertilizing I disconnected the unit, hopefully this will prolong its life as it will only be under pressure when I need it. For a homeowner setup I’m glad this exists. Unless you are running pvc and want to drop multiple hundreds on a real dosing unit this is a pretty good value. Original review: Just received this unit and am preparing to run it this weekend with some FoxFarm BushDoctor Boomerang. In reading the instructions it’s apparent this device doesn’t really dose the fertilizer however. The instructions state to basically figure out how much water your drip system uses in one hour and then put the corresponding amount of fertilizer in this container per the fertilizers instructions. So for my Boomerang for example let’s say it’s 5mL to a gallon of water. If my system uses 50 gallons an hour Gardena is telling me to use 5 x 50 = 250mL of Boomerang if I’m running the system for one hour. If I used 250mL and ran the system for a half hour I would effectively be doubling the dose per Gardena. Problem is the fact that such an error is even possible means this device is basically mixing your fertilizer with a little water, pushing it through, and then relying on the rest of the water during that irrigation session to mix in with the fertilizer at the point of delivery (I.e. your plant, or more precisely where the water from your emitter lands around your plant). Lessons here would be this is a bit risky so I will under dose to start and I’m using a mild fertilizer. Also I’d think if you didn’t run some straight water through your system prior to fertilization you’d be at an increased risk of burning you’re plants (there’s already some of that risk irreducibly with this method). This was all publicly available information to me in the manual on Gardena’s website so I don’t fault them here I’m just suprised because Venturi type injector methods don’t have these issues and they’re very doable at this price point. I assumed this was a Venturi type setup with a more convenient layout. And I guess that’s what I get for assuming lol. I will update this review after I’ve used the product.

Updated 04/21/2015 The second unit also failed about 4 months ago with the exact same problem as described in the 08/31/2014 update below. Updated 08/31/2014: I own two of these units purchased April and March of 2014, both are using drip pressure regulators at 22.5 PSI. They worked great. I have both well protected in standard, buried, irrigation boxes with locking lids. The problem - One (April unit) of the units lid developed a long crack just under the rubber o-ring, running inline with the lid threads that caused the lid to spring leaks around the perimeter, not small leaks but serious pressure streams that flooded the box and soaked the surrounding ground. I never over tighten these lids, only making contact with the rubber o-ring enough so as to make a seal. Bottom-line I believe this is a design/manufacturing flaw since I now notice you cannot find these units as "available" anymore on Amazon or other places. I hope they design new lids that will not crack over time since these units really work well. I am pretty sure it's only a matter of time until the second unit fails as well. I live in the desert and it gets hot and that is why I chose to enclose these units in buried protective irrigation control boxes. Anyway, I would advise to steer clear for now. As I mentioned, this is NOT an abnormal/high pressure issue, I have drip pressure reducers in place for each circuit at 22.5 PSI. Original review: I installed the Gardena 8313 Fertilizer Dispenser inside a 10" circular irrigation box to protect it from the elements out here in the desert. It's extremely easy to use. After doing the "math" for dilution rates, I am able to simply use Miracle Grow Liquid (full strength), or any non-organic (due to sediment blockage) liquid fertilizer, for whole yard feeding every months or so (during spring/summer). I think it is very important to install these dispensers in a clean/protected location so no dirt gets inside which could cause clogging in your drip system. The process using the dispenser for fertilizing is simple. The unit always passes water through it, constantly mixing any liquid inside the holding tank with the main out flow. Because of this, when you open the dispenser to add liquid fertilizer it will be full of water, so you must first empty that standing water. There is an easy to access drain valve (labeled "Service") on the lower bottom side that you open (turn 90 degrees) and drain the unit first, removing standing water. Then you close that valve and add the liquid fertilizer to the dispenser, close the top lid and you are DONE. During the next drip irrigation session all your plants will be fertilized. INSTALLATION NOTE: It is important to realize you must drain the water each time you add fertilizer, which drains out the bottom of the dispenser, and therefore must have clear space for the water to drain under the dispenser. I simply put the dispenser up on a couple bricks inside the irrigation box, making sure it could drain cleanly. I love this thing, it just doesn't get any easier.

Works well, but keep it in the shade and out of the sand. Florida soils are very sandy. This interferes with how the lid operates. Works well for its cost. Don't expect rock solid durability.....it is plastic after all. It does is job with minimal fuss if kept clean (sand/dirt free) The lid does get finicky at times.

I installed two of these on my 4-500ft drip line--one in beginning and other half way thru--I water 110 plants. No leaks and no problems with either. I use an ezflow ball valve on the first to regulate flow thru unit using 1/4in pipe, and use full half inch pipe on the rear. No problems and no leaks and the plants love it. Would have been nice for the units to hold more liquid, though. But much cheaper than ez flow 1010. I am updating review after having a year. No problems, no leaks, just great performance. I put clamps on the lines going into and out of the unit so there are no leaks. Great part about this system as you can also use insecticide to kill ants and roaches periodically instead of having a dedicated fertilizer system. After 18 mos. leaks developed along the top of the lid and profusely squirted out fluid. In addition, a small hole developed on the main frame near the pressure out port. I have put nail polish along the inside to see if it would stop it. We will see, but this is definitely a manufacturing issue.

This product clearly states that it is not to be used over 1.5 bar (22 psi). Gardena Micro Drip, and all drip systems for that matter, are only for use at low pressure. Not knowing this is ignorance on the part of the consumer, not the manufacturer. Regarding the product itself it works great! Of course, they want you to use their own brand of fertilizer, but I have used Miracle Grow that I mix myself quite successfully. Gardena products are second to none for quality and function. If they have one weakness it is in their manuals. They could be written to more clearly communicate. This product does not have much to figure out. Just pour it in and it is mixed in with the water line. I use it to feed a hedge of arborvitae. I'm ordering another to feed some Boxwood and Japanese Maples. This saves time. It is better than standing there with the hose which is why I put the micro drip system in in the first place.

The one thing the product info does not tell you is that the unit is not to be used with water pressure over 1.5 bars. (22.5 psi). Most house hose pressure is about 50 psi. Gardena tells you to put a pressure regulator in line before the fert. unit. This is critical information !

I am usually satisfied with Gardena products, however, I returned this item because it requires several other Gardena components which do not come with this unit. In other words, this device does not connect directly to the standard hose or faucet used in the United States. I suggest that you price all the other components you are going to need to make this work prior to making the purchase.

It’s perfect! And very good for the money.

There is no fertilizer ratio control system. No idea how much fertilizer it is putting out to plants. I may have to return it.