Why use urine in the garden?

You thought urine was toxic for your plants? Well, think again! Contrary to what you might think, it is far from being devoid of interest. Are you sceptical? Let me convince you of the benefits of your pee. =)

Why is urine good for the vegetable garden?

What is the composition of urine?

Urine is a human biological fluid. It is produced by our kidneys and contains organic waste that the body gets rid of to ensure its functioning. Every day, an adult produces between 1.5 and 2 litres of urine. It is 95% water, urea and minerals.
Here is its composition (which may vary according to an individual's diet and pathologies):

• 5 to 6 g of nitrogen;
• 1 to 1.5 g phosphorus;
• 1.5 to 2 g potassium;

How is it particularly suited to growing your vegetables?

It is its nitrogen content but also other properties such as phosphorus and potassium that make it suitable for fertilising your vegetable garden. In fact, its properties are comparable to those of dried blood or ground horn. But unlike these expensive products found in garden centres, urine is produced free of charge by each and every one of us.

Limits to using urine in the vegetable garden

It is important, however, to make good use of this natural fertiliser. The sodium content of urine is very high. This makes it harmful to your plants if used without dilution first. If you are taking medication, you should be aware that its molecules are also found in urine. So it's best to avoid choosing this type of fertiliser if you're ill.

When should urine be used in the garden?

How to use urine in your compost

To fertilise the soil, you can use manure or use your compost. If you prefer the second option, you should know that to achieve the state of decomposition needed to create compost, you need to find the right balance between organic and nitrogenous matter. Since the waste we usually use for compost is purely organic, it's hardly surprising that the magic doesn't always happen... While manufacturers boast that they've found the solution, here's one that won't cost you a penny: pee in your compost!

How to use urine for your garden plantings

To do this, simply dilute 50 cl of your urine in a 10-litre watering can. Then pour your solution at the feet of your plants. For best results, use this natural fertiliser every 2 to 3 weeks. To complement this article, I also invite you to discover this video from Potager d'Olivier, which details his use of urine in the vegetable garden.

Discover our best natural fertiliser recipes

Natural fertiliser made from cooking water

As surprising as it may seem, cooking water is virtuous for the vegetable garden. As long as you don't add salt to your pots, it provides the soil with nutrients that are essential to the proper development of your precious vegetables. This property is linked to the loss of vitamins and minerals from vegetables during cooking.

Natural banana peel fertiliser

The potassium contained in banana peels is a remarkable compound for favouring the growth of your plantations. To make good use of it, cut them into small pieces and bury them at the foot of your plants. Roses particularly appreciate this trick. In fact, potassium can also be used to revive the colours of the flowers.

Natural fertiliser made from eggshells

Rich in calcium, eggshells are particularly adapted to fertilising soil. For optimum use, I advise you to leave them to dry for two days. Then crush the shells with a rolling pin. All that's left to do is spread them around your plants, taking care to mix them well with the soil.

Nettle manure

We're often familiar with its virtues in preventing certain plant diseases, but nettle purin is also an excellent natural fertiliser. I refer you to this article to discover all its properties, and how to properly apply it to your crops.

Now that you know how to make your own natural fertilisers, you no longer have any excuses for stocking up on environmentally toxic chemicals. Even if the use of urine seems unappetising, I'd still advise you to use it at least once as an amendment. The results may surprise you...