Urine is a highly valuable resource – it’s free and easily accessible to everyone, yet it often goes to waste.
It wasn’t always like this. Before modern sewage systems, our ancestors knew better than to discard this precious liquid.
They collected urine from chamber pots and let it age and ferment. Over time, urea in urine breaks down into ammonia, creating a potent cleaning solution known as “lant” for homes and laundry.
Ancient uses extended to making gunpowder, flavoring ale, and preparing textiles for dyeing. When lant was scarce, everyone pitched in to replenish it.
Today, we have better ways to clean and freshen our homes. However, urine remains a remarkably useful liquid in gardening.
What’s in Urine?
Despite its initial aversion, urine isn’t gross when you break down its components.
Our bodies derive nutrients from food, and urine removes water-soluble chemicals from our bloodstream.
Unlike feces, urine isn’t toxic. It’s sterile upon leaving the body, containing beneficial bacteria that don’t cause harm.
Urine is slightly acidic (around 6.2 pH) and consists mostly of water (91-96%), with minerals, salts, hormones, and enzymes making up the rest.
Urea, about 2% of urine, is an excellent nitrogen source. Other elements include chloride, sodium, potassium, sulfate, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium – all vital for fertilizers.
6 Ways to Use Urine in Your Garden
The average adult produces enough urine annually to fill three standard bathtubs – about 130 gallons of liquid gold.
Here’s how to make the most of it:
1. Fertilize Your Crops
Urine is packed with nutrients plants crave!
Typically, urine has an N-P-K ratio of 11-1-2.5, making it rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium – essential for plant growth.
After leaving the body, urine breaks down into these elements, which plants readily absorb.
Research shows that urine fertilization can match synthetic fertilizers in promoting growth, yield, and root mass in crops like beets.
To use urine as fertilizer, dilute it with 10 to 20 parts water and apply around plants within 24 hours of collection. Adding wood ash enhances its phosphorus and potassium content.
2. Boost Your Compost
A common reason for slow composting is a lack of nitrogen-rich materials.
Urine is one of the best sources to activate your compost. Its high nitrogen content accelerates decomposition by providing essential proteins for microorganisms.
Pour your morning urine directly onto the compost pile to kick-start its activity. Turn the pile occasionally to ensure thorough mixing.
3. Control Weeds
Undiluted urine is potent enough to kill weeds.
Its urea content causes nitrogen overload, turning plants yellow and eventually killing them. High salt levels in urine can also damage plants.
For effective weed control, apply undiluted urine directly to weeds or use repeated applications to weaken them.
4. Fight Fungal Diseases
Urine’s antifungal properties can prevent and treat plant diseases like mildew and rust.
To use urine as a preventative, dilute it with water and spray it on plants during autumn and spring. It helps control fungal infections without harming healthy foliage.
For active infections, spray urine directly on affected plants until the fungus disappears.
5. Decompose Tree Stumps
High nitrogen content in urine accelerates the decomposition of tree stumps.
Drill holes into the stump, soak it with urine, and cover it to retain moisture. Repeat weekly to expedite decomposition.
6. Repel Animals
Urine can deter animals from entering your garden.
Collect urine and apply it around garden perimeters to ward off pests like rabbits and deer. Reapply after rainfall for prolonged effectiveness.
Using urine in your garden is a sustainable way to enhance plant health and productivity. It’s a natural fertilizer that’s readily available and cost-effective.
By harnessing the power of urine, you can reduce waste and promote a greener environment in your backyard.