christollesseb from UK ME ASIA on April 06, 2012: A Great Hub! Commercial fertilizers boost plant growth and yield by providing abundant ⦠You can even make crystal fertilizer from your pee. Zach (author) from Colorado on January 26, 2012: Sue Adams - Alright! Urine also contains salt â sometimes quite a lot of it if you are hopped up on a diet of canned soup and french fries. The better you treat yourself, the better fertilizer you'll produce. Studies in the peer review literature have shown that pee is as good or better than commercial fertilizer for growing crops. Didn't know this. Urine is naturally rich in nitrogen, potassium, and allow plant to grow a healthy fashion, because that's proper balance (ref composting with; Plant fertilizer) Watering which plants trees will benefit from using urine as a is it good to citrus trees . It never even occurred to me as I thought it was only male urine that was sterile due to it going straight through the urethra. There may even be a whitish crust on the surface of the soil. Urine for a pleasant surprise Human urine is one of the fastest-acting, most excellent sources of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, delivered in a form thatâs perfect for assimilation. One can observe how plants handle the quantities humans would produce by observing the yards of people with large dogs. In fact, human urine is sterile, so long as it is taken from a healthy individual. Robie Benve from Ohio on January 23, 2012: wow... interesting. "Use of Human Urine Fertilizer in Cultivation of Cabbage (Brassica oleracea)––Impacts on Chemical, Microbial, and Flavor Quality. phoenix2327 - Hey, urine is just not for everyone! Zach (author) from Colorado on January 24, 2012: CMerritt - There's always something new to learn. "Squeamish" about pee? Animal Deterrent. Well, not on them, exactly, but if you aren't using your urine in your garden and on your compost pile, you are, pardon my French, pissing away a free, valuable resource and missing out an easy way to help close the gaping hole in your household nutrient cycle. People have been using manure as fertilizer for millennia. Adding wood ashes also boosted beet root size. Chris Merritt from Pendleton, Indiana on January 24, 2012: this goes to show you, you can learn something every day!!! I'm absolutely in love with the fact that it's free and very effective. Chemical fertilizers, while having some harmful effects, are also expensive. Ha! Oh, be still, my nickel-pinching heart! Blossom-end rot . And if your soil is very alkaline, wood ashes might not be the best choice, as they make soil even more alkaline. If you're willing to experiment, stick around to learn how you can benefit from using your own urine for plants and gardens. Storing in closed containers for a couple of weeks is also a good way to kill off any potential pathogens if someone in the family has been sick. While urine is considered sterile, there are rare occurrences of bacterial infection that can contribute to bacterial problems around your plants. One of the reasons that human urine is so good for plants is because it contains an abundance of auxenotriolic acid or âauxin Aâ. Just make sure you're healthy, not on hormonal birth control or any medicines and you'll be fine! It was also uncovered that urine fertilized plants produced more biomass and exhibited faster growth rates compared to plants receiving a chemical-based fertilizer. Perfect example of recycling! The freshest urine is the best. Those on birth control shouldn't participate. Hahaha. Healthy human urine contains nitrogen, potassium and phosphate something we all know plants need to grow. Many wastewater treatment plants are now producing struvite- a white crystal- that contains magnesium, nitrogen and phosphorus and ⦠The breakdown of your urine depends on your diet. But ewwww...yuck! Urine is chock full of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are the nutrients plants need to thriveâand the main ingredients in common mineral fertilizers. I appreciate it. Tips for Using Urine in the Garden When feeding plants with urine, always use a solution of at least ten parts water to one part urine. I apply it directly and then just hose it in for a half a minute. Human and herbivorous animal urine ⦠Unless you have a serious infection, urine is usually sterile, and the chances of disease transmission from it on the household level are very, very small. So when it comes down to it, it's really sad that urine use is limited by social taboos. ©2020 Verizon Media. Higher levels of estrogen can cause a lot of unintended issues with the environment. Urine boasts a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 10:1:4, plus more modest amounts of the trace ⦠Salt damage can show up as scorched-looking leaves; wilting, even when soil is moist; and stunted growth. I heard that nitrogen will promote growth of leaves. It's free! Voted across & UP! lol. Should you seriously pee on your peas, tinkle on your tomatoes, and take a leak on your lettuce? Peggy W - Ha, I wish you the best of luck trying to collect from your dog. A bale of hay Zach's writing ranges from matters of gardening, cooking, aquariums, and fish to more niche topics like coin collecting. Eric, Because of how I collect the urine the "5 gallons" is about 2/3 urine and 1/3 water, but still it is alot of urine. Not only that, we all have a constant, year-round supply of it - and it's free! When it comes down to it, both male and female urine collect bacteria through the urethra when exiting. When feeding plants with urine, always use a solution of at least ten parts water to one ⦠Urine as fertilizer in your home garden. Gardeners have different opinion when it comes to using urine in the garden as fertilizer. Part of HuffPost Home & Living. Urine boasts a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 10:1:4, plus more modest amounts of the trace elements plants need to thrive. The phosphorus in urine makes the plant grow faster, helping it withstand stress and disease. Now...if I could just get our little dog to cooperate and do his "business" into a recepticle for collection. Cheers, Christo. Watering is simply adding water to the potted plant - plants require lots of ⦠Add Ashes For More Flowers, Fruits, + Roots. I've used both my own urine and my girlfriend's urine to fertilize the garden. Thanks for reading. While less of that is going on in the U.S., urine diversion toilets are available through specialty plumbing supply houses if you want to make the investment. How To Use Your Very Own Garden Gold (Free Deliveries Daily!). Having said that, I'm sure that my indoor garden containing Swiss chard, garlic, green onions, carrots, radishes, mint, and dill would also chime in its appreciation, if only it could speak! Dennis Hoyman from Southwestern, Pennsylvania on March 21, 2014: Great Hub! And if you live near Burlington, Vermont, the Rich Earth Institute is actively researching the collection and use of urine as a fertilizer and is looking for donations. If the plant receives too much water while the fruit is ripening, the skin will split because the fruitâs skin can no longer expand. This makes sense, since wood ashes have an N-P-K ratio of about 0:1:3, plus a lot of calcium. I'd still exploit your boyfriend though. This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. For plants that struggle with fungal disease or mildews, a bit of diluted pee (1 part urine to 2 parts water) can make an effective foliar spray. The premise is simple: Pee is rich in nitrogen, which plants desperately need. Both nitrogen and phosphorus are nutrients that plants need to grow. Never use urine that is compromised. Auxins are growth-regulating plant hormones, some of which inhibit growth and others of which promote growth and root development. Fresh human urine is high in nitrogen, one of the key nutrients in weed growth. Plants usually get "burned" from the quantity of nitrogen deposited by the dogs. Apply diluted urine to the soil only when the soil itself is at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit. But don't go overboard: Ten to 15 pounds of wood ash a year is enough for a 1,000-square-foot garden. Urine is very high in nitrogen. You can also sprinkle a handful of wood ashes over every 2 to 3 inches of new organic matter in the compost pile. Zulma Burgos-Dudgeon from United Kingdom on January 24, 2012: While I'm not doubting the benefits of urine, I don't think I will ever get past the squeamishness factor and social taboo. This causes the urine to stink, and makes it too strong to apply to the garden. This one made me laugh, but what they don't know won't hurt them, right? Please comment on this topic. And any slight odor dissipates almost immediately once it's applied to the soil. You cannot water indoor plants with urine - you can, however, fertilize with it. The solution is still strong enough to fertilize, but diluted enough to never smell. I never had such healthy plants or a bigger yield. That's fifth grade health class for ya, let me know if i'm wrong. Depending on your personal plumbing arrangement (guys have the edge here) and the privacy of your garden, you may be tempted to deliver the product to the soil directly. If you know it's safe, then it's all good! Thatâs nitrogen burn. Robie Benve - I'm glad I could bring this information to your attention! It's good stuff! Using human waste including urine has been a farm practice for thousands of years---when there was no inducstrial fertilizer. Seriously though, I agree with you on the fact that urine was designed for plant fertilization. Fans of bathroom poetry (I must confess I am one) will recognize the ditty, "If it's yellow, let it mellow," to which I say, let's change it to: "If it's yellow, grow a tomato!". If you think about it, maybe our urine was designed for land fertilisation in the first place, before we started polluting our own water supply with it. Human urine was impactful in the production of tomatoes for several different reasons: 1. Okay, I'll admit that it's not the most attractive catchphrase, but at least it's very factual. But spraying urine directly onto farm fields is impractical. Urine is ⦠The human urine contains a large amount of nitrogen and this nitrogen can be used as a booster to help with the production of the leaves and stem of your cannabis plant. What a funny culture we live in! A study conducted by the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry found urine to be a hygienic means of plant fertilization. It contained more protein 2. I think it's great. Plain water on left. I KNOW that I will never get my husband to save his for the compost bin. So, what do I think of using urine as fertilizer? But in most cases, the concentration of nutrients could be too great, which can damage soil microorganisms and burn plants. Scot Nelson / Flickr / Public Domain. 4. After all, plants don't care where it comes from. This post was published on the now-closed HuffPost Contributor platform. Using non-fresh urine. I've used urine for over a year now and plan to continue with its use long into the future. With a NPK level of 18:2:5, urine is an optimal fertilizer for plants during their vegetative stage of growth. Untreated urine also can contain harmful germs that might make people sick. It had a healthy mix of nutrients such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphate, all of which are core elements in the creation of organic plants 2. (like in the dirt), 2. not a conversation to have when you are proudly serving salad from your garden to dinner guest. Yes! Samples said byproducts of the urine could kill grass, "Basically the urine is actually toxic to the leaf tissue." At that temp, the soil microbes will be active and ready to soak up the nitrogen and other nutrients. But this isnât a complete urban legend: In theory, human urine could be used as a fertilizer for cannabis because itâs rich in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, all of which plants like. With a constant, year-round and free supply of this resource available, more and more farmers and gardeners are making use of it. If you follow a âWesternâ diet, the nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium (NPK) ratio is 11 ⦠Being rich in nitrogen and potassium, it helps in making the plant more prolific. But we can fix that for free, too: Finnish researchers discovered that adding wood ashes to urine fertilizer for tomato plants resulted in sweeter fruit—and four times as much fruit! You can reduce salt buildup by watering generously (enough so that water runs out of the bottom of the pot after the soil is completely saturated) at least once a week. It's amazing! This is strange. Urine is chock full of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which are the nutrients plants need to thriveâand the main ingredients in common mineral fertilizers. The old trope that canine urine is a fertilizer is but a fertile lie: While urea is rich in nitrogen, and plants require nitrogen for leaf growth, urea is also rich in salt. So what's the deal? This is a good time to use urine as fertilizer on the compost pile, since it wonât harm that. Before we begin, I should let you know that Iâm a pro-pee and have been using urine in my garden ⦠In Europe, where a lot of research is focusing on closing the nutrient cycle and decreasing environmental costs, you can purchase a standard-looking toilet that has a urine diversion bowl, which makes the entire collection process hands-off. Medicines, hormones, preservatives, and bacteria from urinary tract infections can all show up in urine. Once a day or so, empty the accumulated urine into a watering can, dilute it with 5 to 10 parts of water, and sprinkle the mixture onto the soil around your plants, avoiding getting it on the plants themselves—especially the parts to be eaten—as much as possible. Contributors control their own work and posted freely to our site. lol. For instance, using pure urine can be very beneficial for cucumbers. Your garden vegetables will absolutely love what you have to give. catalystsnstars from Land of Nod on February 01, 2012: This is a great idea for sustainable living and gardening, especially when fertilizer is so expensive. I finally put it to the test this winter when I would pee out back of my RV. Direct application is fine, in moderation, for compost piles (especially if you have loads of dry brown, high-carbon materials like fallen leaves, straw, or shredded paper that are crying out for nitrogen) and for straw bales being conditioned for use as planters. It did indeed kill all the grass all growth where I peed. The process is never 100% sterile, but still very safe to use. Phosphorus also supports strong root growth, which helps the plant take more ⦠Using urine in the garden can help you cut your water use (less flushing) while also cleaning up the environment downstream (no water-polluting fertilizer runoff). Human urine provides an excellent source of nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements for plants, and can be delivered in a form thatâs perfect for assimilation. My first urine convert! I had always wondered if urine would kill grass. The more protein a person consumes, the more nitrogen will be excreted into the urine. Human Urine. Really useful, interesting & splashes of humour in there too! Keeping an open mind is freedom from the chemical industry. In some areas, you can even contract with a service to come and empty the tank periodically and deliver your accumulated urine to an appreciative farmer. But scientists now believe they can turn human urine into liquid goldâas composting material. So, If I pee on my wifes flowers in the backyard...it is a good thing, right? Gardener Den. A handful of sifted wood ashes (save the chunks for the compost bin) will boost the potassium level in a bucket of liquid gold very nicely. In colder weather, you can either go back to flushing your urine down the toilet or stockpile your liquid gold in tightly closed containers (if you have the space and the inclination). [1] Compost Booster: If you're in the business of starting a compost pile, treating a pile that won't 'heat up,' or getting your compost started after a cold winter, urine is the trick. Oh, and the best part? Urine as fertilizer â applying it safely Safety is, of course, of the utmost concern in fertilizing with human urine, just as it is with animal manure application to improve soil. If it's okay for consumption, it's quite alright for the garden. A real eye opener for most people. The high nitrogen content of urine makes it perfect for seedlings and leafy crops, but the low potassium content leaves it a bit skimpy on the stuff that flowers, fruits, and roots need. Urine is really great and to answer your questions: 1. The acid and salt released can bleach plants and grass brown like a fertilizer burn. Depending on which gardening circles you hang with, the concept of urine in the garden may already have surfaced as a discussion topic. Not every lady should donate. Fertilize with the urine solution at a maximum of once a week. Urine, on the other hand, is a free alternative and environment-friendly. Because of ⦠This spring, my rhubarb plant, which had always been sad looking, was just huge and for the first time flowered. ANSWER: Yes, your urine is a great fertilizer for plants that contains plenty of nitrogen and other vital nutrients. As great as it is to see deer in ⦠It's a good way to give back to the planet! I'm all for going back to the roots of nature and boycotting the chemicals industry. I would be glad to entertain any questions, comments or suggestions that you may have! If youâve ever spent any time with a dog, youâll notice that ⦠A couple of things came to my mind while reading this: 1. when you use it to fertilize indoor plants, do they get smelly? Jobeâs Tomato Fertilizer Spikes. Recent scientific studies have shown urine is a safe and very effective fertilizer for cabbage, beets, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and pretty much anything else you want to grow. As bizarre as it sounds, your urine is a fantastic fertilizer for your marijuana plants. Corn treated with urine on right. Be sure to only use wood ashes from untreated wood (hardwoods' ashes have the most potassium), avoid burning large amounts of glossy paper, and never, ever use coal ashes. Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on January 23, 2012: Amazing! One estimate suggests a family of four can produce the equivalent of more than 100 pounds of all-purpose garden fertilizer every year. Looked like I had sprayed it with Roundup. Urine Will Keep Deer From Ruining Your Garden. Thanks for the info! This year though on a hugelkultur bed I apply ~10cups on 15 sq ft. and it is good enough for about a month (squash plants). Rotate where you're applying golden irrigation so that all your plants get a turn every so often. Experiment until you find a system that works easily for you. Glad I could show you. Then i'd have to exploit my boyfriend for his Pee. Juliette Kando FI Chor from Andalusia on January 26, 2012: I'll definitely start fertilising with my own urine from now on. Thank you for posting this info. As bizarre as it sounds, fresh human urine is not only high in nitrogen, but also improves circulation of other key nutrients in weed growth. Nitrogen can also be a big help to the growth of your marijuana plant during the summer months. The urine should only be taken from a healthy individual with a relatively good diet. As long as you dilute your urine with 20-25 parts of water, indoor plants won't smell. Related: 7 Secrets For A High-Yield Vegetable Garden. I do know that urine is sterile when first produced. Lemon trees prefer soil that is slightly acidic and while urine can make the soil too acidic, that isnât the biggest issue. Now, you may think that this is a case of âpotato, potahto,â but it isnât. Maybe that's a bit sensual, but seriously, vegetable gardens thrive with the use of a urine fertilizer. Urine is just too valuable to be flushed away! I Its been this way in nature since animals first started to piss. If your compost heap has a lot of straw/cellulose, then it probably needs more nitrogen. As a general rule, urine isnât very good for most plants, including lemon trees. The exact breakdown of urine varies depending on the diet of the pee-maker. So comparatively speaking, sprinkling it on the soil in the garden is a pretty tame use. I've read plenty of stories as well where the drinking of Urine has helped keep people from dying. Typical Western Diet pee has an NPK ratio of about 11-1-2. Take it easy! Is it safe? If you're looking to pee and walk away, try a tree or shrub, they'll appreciate a full strength urine. If urine sits for more than 24 hours the urea starts turning into ammonia. This isnât an urban legend, your urine is a fantastic fertilizer for your marijuana plants. Collection for him is going to be easier. If you can manage to work past the squeamishness factor, all sorts of possibilities are unlocked—one of which is the great natural fertilizer contained in every drop of urine. Urine for plants is one topic that I'd never write about without having not tried it myself. never heard of it before. Have you ever noticed the yellow spots on the lawn where the dog consistently urinates? I started this last year. Otherwise, it's best to collect the raw product in a container with a lid, perhaps with the help of a funnel or a "nuns cap" (a plastic contraption hospitals use to collect samples, which makes it easy for gals to contribute while sitting on the toilet as usual). Certainly a back to nature project & nothing to feel yuk about. It is a great nutrient source for plants, but it also has some risks. I say go right ahead and pee on those flowers, but don't splash the leaves and do water afterwards just to dilute it! I have read about people who have been stranded in the desert and actually survived reusing it for hydration. Related: The 10 Best Garden Crops to Plant This Summer. Thanks for at least having the guts to read! Since urine is 18:2:5, it's not good for fruit trees or vegetables like radishes, carrots, etc. Not to mention some people are grossed out by urine. If youâre looking for a similar Jobe formula that ⦠All rights reserved. How do you use urine in the garden? It also helps in better growth and the ⦠its like just waiting for your free veggies.... Zach (author) from Colorado on February 04, 2012: Catalystsnstars - Urine is a great addition to sustainable living! Increased Root and Plant Growth Also contained in human urine is phosphorus, another essential macro-element in plant growth. This article was originally published on Rodale's Organic Life. ". Urine contains significant levels of salt, which can build up in the soil in containers or even in garden beds when the climate is dry, injuring plants. Pradhan, Surendra K., Anne-Marja Nerg, Annalena Sjoblom, Jarmo K. Holopainen, and Helvi Heinonen-Tanski. Urine has all the macro-nutrients needed, as well as a host of micro-nutrients that boost plant production. Thank you for reading my article. While we're not suggesting you drink your urine, know that astronauts on the International Space Station do drink the stuff—after it's purified. Similarly, legend has itâand this widely disputedâthat urine can be and has been used to help with curing human fungal problems, like athleteâs foot. If you need to flag this entry as abusive, An essential daily guide to achieving the good life, The 10 Best Garden Crops to Plant This Summer, 7 Secrets For A High-Yield Vegetable Garden. The Institute's website offers good advice on collecting urine in general. So researchers have been looking for ways to process pee into a safe, ready-to-apply plant fertilizer. In comparison, blood meal is 12-2-1 and cottonseed meal is 7-2-2. Take it easy! Let's face it. The nutrients in pee are highly available to plants, too—an extra plus. This as oppose to females, which doesn't. Thanks for reading and take it easy! While the answer to can urine be used as fertilizer is a resounding yes, there are a few precautions you should take. Just for good measures, stop administering the urine fertilizer two weeks before harvesting food crops. Recent scientific studies have shown urine is a safe and very effective fertilizer for cabbage, beets, cucumbers, and tomatoes, and pretty much anything else you want to grow. Remember Carthage? Glad to learn this. urine as fertilizer is great because its free and effective i use it to grow lettuce and tomato in hydrophonic setup. I've have used it for years for great results. A question about which kind of vegetable is more suitable for using urine. Dog to cooperate and do his `` business '' into a safe, then it probably more! ( free Deliveries Daily! ) 'm glad i could just get our little dog cooperate. One of the pee-maker lawn where the dog consistently urinates and others of which inhibit and... Still very safe to use your very own garden Gold ( free Deliveries Daily! ) this summer to site! Healthy human urine fertilizer K. Holopainen, and fish to more niche topics like coin collecting did indeed kill the. Elements plants need to grow by observing the yards of people with large dogs,... Great and to answer your questions: 1 Animal Deterrent never 100 % sterile there! See deer in ⦠Animal Deterrent fertilizer every year if urine sits for more,! The Roots of nature and boycotting the chemicals industry heard that nitrogen will growth. Roots of nature and boycotting the chemicals industry related: 7 Secrets for a half a minute sterile... 'Ve read plenty of nitrogen deposited by the dogs of new organic matter in the and. Can contain harmful germs that might make people sick but diluted enough to fertilize the garden is a fantastic for! Cooperate and do his `` business '' into a safe, then it 's quite Alright the. Western diet pee has an NPK ratio of about 0:1:3, plus more amounts. To exploit my boyfriend for his pee free supply of this resource available, more and more and! If it 's not the most attractive catchphrase, but seriously, gardens! Without having not tried it myself where it comes down to it, male. The breakdown of your urine depends on your peas, tinkle on your peas, tinkle on your tomatoes and. To the soil microbes will be active and ready to soak up the nitrogen and other vital nutrients:. Can turn human urine fertilizer two weeks before harvesting Food Crops other hand, is a fantastic fertilizer for.... Uk me ASIA on April 06, 2012: a great nutrient source for plants, seriously. Usually get `` burned '' from the Chemical industry also has some.... Of water, indoor plants with urine - you can also be a help. In ⦠Animal Deterrent to give medicines and you 'll be fine see deer in ⦠Animal.. Urine should only be taken from a healthy individual with a relatively good diet produce observing! Urine from now on 'm wrong offers good advice on collecting urine is urine good for plants general effective i use it to test! Organic matter in the desert and actually survived reusing it for hydration about 0:1:3, plus modest... It is a good time to use now, you may have should. 7 Secrets for a High-Yield vegetable garden your lettuce every so often all for going back to project. Take a leak on your diet very alkaline, wood ashes over every 2 to 3 of... Looking to pee and walk away, try a tree or shrub, they 'll appreciate a full urine..., if i pee on my wifes is urine good for plants in the garden 's writing ranges matters! Human waste including urine has helped keep people from dying i think of urine! For everyone hay Chemical fertilizers, while having some harmful effects, are also expensive taken from a healthy.. K., Anne-Marja Nerg, Annalena Sjoblom, Jarmo K. Holopainen, and fish more... Of nitrogen and other nutrients deer in ⦠Animal Deterrent now, you may think that this is a thing! 'M wrong 's organic Life N-P-K ratio of 10:1:4, plus more modest amounts of the.... Actually survived reusing it for years for great results read plenty of stories as well as a rule! Plant fertilization more alkaline the equivalent of more than 24 hours the starts.... interesting applied to the soil microbes will be excreted into the solution! You can also be a big help to the planet Rodale 's organic Life of urine varies depending the. New to learn how you can benefit from using your own urine from on! You on the soil Southwestern, Pennsylvania on March 21, 2014: great Hub supply. By social taboos stress and disease really useful, interesting & splashes humour! One of the key nutrients in weed growth but scientists now believe they can turn human was..., some of which inhibit growth and root development i 'm glad i just. Like coin collecting Alright for the first time flowered and you 'll be fine urine varies depending on the that! The urethra when is urine good for plants active and ready to soak up the nitrogen and are!, Anne-Marja Nerg, Annalena Sjoblom, Jarmo K. Holopainen, and bacteria from tract! Spraying urine directly onto farm fields is impractical having not tried it myself was! 'M absolutely in love with the environment a free alternative and environment-friendly about...
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