Automatic fertilizing apparatus

An automatic fertilizing apparatus that functions in combination with an existing watering system consisting of a water source connected in series with a water control valve and at least one sprinkler head, wherein said apparatus is installed between the output of the water source or the water control valve and the input of the at least one sprinkler head, said apparatus comprising:

• a) at least one fertilizer container containing liquid fertilizer and having an upper surface from where extends upward a threaded opening, a first side having a water inlet port, a second side having a water/fertilizer outlet port, a third side and a fourth side,
• b) a container cap having an upper surface and a lower threaded section that is dimensioned to be threaded into the threaded opening on said container,
• c) a fertilizer control assembly comprising:
• (1) an outer fertilizer control tube having an outer fertilizer entry slot, an inlet end having an outward-extending circumferential lip, and an outlet end that is not attached, wherein said tube is dimensioned to be frictionally inserted through the water inlet port with the circumferential lip attached by an attachment means, to the first side of said container surrounding the water inlet port,
• (2) an inner fertilizer control tube that is dimensioned to rotatably fit into said outer fertilizer control tube, said inner fertilizer control tube having:
• (a) an inner fertilizer entry slot, an inlet end and an outlet end with the inlet end having an outward-extending circumferential lip that rotatably interfaces with the outward-extending circumferential lip on said outer fertilizer control tube,
• (b) an internally attached vortex tube located to overlap a portion of the inner fertilizer entry slot, wherein when a stream of water flows through said inner fertilizer control tube the water also flows around and through the vortex tube that functions as an aspirator that creates a negative pressure that causes the liquid fertilizer in said fertilizer container to be drawn sequentially through the outer and inner fertilizer entry slots and into the flowing stream of water passing through said fertilizing control assembly,
• (c) an inlet locknut having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is fixedly attached by an attachment means to the circumferential lip on the inlet end of said inner fertilizer control tube,
• (d) a fertilizer metering control knob having an inner surface and an outer surface, wherein the inner surface is fixedly attached by the attachment means to the outer surface of the inlet locknut,
• (e) a back flow control valve having an inner surface and a female threaded outer section, wherein the inner surface is fixedly attached by the attachment means to the outer surface of the knob,
• (f) a rotating union having a male threaded inner section that threads into the female threaded outer section of the back flow control valve, and an outer female threaded end that attaches to a water line connected to the water source,
• (g) an outlet locknut having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein the inner surface is attached by the attachment means to the outlet end of said inner fertilizer control tube, and
• (h) a sprinkler tube adapter nut having an inner surface that is attached by the attachment means to the outer surface of the outlet locknut, and an outer female threaded section that attaches to a water line connected to the at least one sprinkler head.