6 Ingenious Ways to Harness Urine in Your Garden
The average adult generates around 130 gallons of urine annually, a valuable resource that can be put to good use in your garden. Discover six innovative applications for this liquid gold:
1. Fertilize Your Crops:
- Urine is a potent natural fertilizer with a rich nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium (N-P-K) ratio of 11-1-2.5.
- Dilute it by mixing 10-20 parts water with 1 part fresh urine.
- Apply it around plants within 24 hours of collection to boost growth.
2. Revive Your Compost:
- Urine, rich in nitrogen, revitalizes sluggish compost piles.
- Pour your morning urine directly onto the compost pile without dilution.
- Turn the pile and monitor the temperature to ensure proper decomposition.
3. Tackle Weeds:
- Undiluted urine is a strong herbicide due to its urea content.
- Use it as a spot treatment for stubborn weeds, dousing them generously or applying daily.
- Avoid wide-spread application to protect desired plants and soil.
4. Combat Fungal Diseases:
- Diluted urine is an effective antifungal treatment.
- Apply a 4:1 water-to-urine mixture to fruit trees and berry bushes in the fall and spring.
- Repeat as needed until the fungal blights disappear.
5. Expedite Tree Stump Decomposition:
- Speed up the natural decomposition of tree stumps by treating them with urine.
- Drill holes into the stump’s surface, soak it with water, and pour undiluted urine into the holes.
- Cover with a tarp or mulch and add fresh urine weekly.
6. Mark Your Territory:
- Urine can deter animals from your garden.
- Collect hormone-rich morning urine and splash it on elevated surfaces, like tree trunks and fence posts.
- Reapply regularly and after rainfall to maintain effectiveness.
By incorporating these inventive techniques, you can maximize the benefits of urine in your garden, from plant growth to composting, weed control, disease prevention, stump decomposition, and wildlife deterrence.
