Is urine useful as fertilizer or harmful? This question may seem unusual at first, but the ingredients are definitely beneficial for plants – if a few factors are taken into account.
Table of Contents
dilution
When dogs, cats or other animals repeatedly mark a plant, many find it annoying and fear that the plant will die. However, this is usually only due to the concentration and quantity of the components. If urine is concentrated in one place again and again, over-fertilization is taking place.
This can cause chemical burns to the roots. It is therefore important, as with other fertilizers, to aim for the right dilution. Only then is it useful and not harmful. However, the concentration of the substances contained in urine – regardless of whether it is human or animal – is not known.
For this reason, a large dilution should be chosen. Dilution in a ratio of 1:10 is recommended for heavy consumers. One part urine and ten parts water usually ensures that plants receive valuable substances without damaging the roots. A dilution of 1:20 is more suitable for weak consumers.
ingredients
The use of urine as a fertilizer is by no means new. It is also regularly used in the form of liquid manure or manure. Here, of course, urine is used, which is of animal origin. It makes sense to use it because urine contains numerous substances that are valuable for plants. For example:
- Potassium
- calcium
- Phosphor
- Nitrogen in the form of urea (urea)
However, there can also be substances in the urine that are dangerous for plants, animals and humans. Such as:
- germs
- nicotine residues
- drug residues
Smokers or people who have to take medication should therefore not use their urine for fertilization. Even in animals that are supplied with medication, the urine is not used to supply nutrients. The same applies to infections. Contrary to popular belief, urine can contain germs that can get to the plants.
If these are pathogens on plants that are intended for consumption, this can be dangerous. Residues of medication or nicotine from smoking can also be harmful to the plants.
Human or animal?
If the urine is of animal origin and the animal is neither ill nor receiving medication, it can also be used to fertilize ornamental plants. However, it is much more difficult to specifically collect the urine of animals – as far as dogs and cats are concerned.
It is therefore better to water generously if the animals mark the water. This dilutes the urine in order to prevent possible disadvantages such as selective over-fertilization. In addition, barriers should be installed to prevent further marking.
Using human urine as fertilizer initially seems repulsive and disgusting to many. However, under the right conditions, this is the best choice. However, this only applies if neither drugs nor medication are taken and there are no illnesses. Otherwise, it should not be used as a fertilizer.
Permanent fertilization
Since the exact composition is not known and varies constantly depending on the diet, one should not use both human and animal urine as fertilizer on a long-term basis.
Even with a dilution of 1:10 to 1:20, there can be an unbalanced supply to the plants. It is therefore better to use it only a few times in the season and otherwise use ready-made fertilizers or other natural nutrient suppliers.
Horn meal, manure or compost can be used, as can plant manure and commercial fertilizers. Even with these funds, however, the correct dosage should be observed. Because an undersupply is just as dangerous as an oversupply of nutrients. Chemical burns can be caused not only by urine, but generally by an overdose of otherwise nourishing substances.
For this reason you have to pay attention to a sufficient distance between the fertilizer applications and a good distribution.