Now, a sizable pile (like the kind you need for hot composting) needs a considerable amount of moisture. Below Ill give you the answers to these piddling composting questions and some additional handy tips for this unusual compost ingredient! All these elements are necessary for the compost pile to function properly, and therefore all beneficial elements are described as compost accelerators or activators. Nevertheless, I strongly advise you to keep the urine-mixed compost away from your vegetables. Here are a few tips you should consider if you want to buy a compost accelerator. So why would people want to use urine in compost? Wood ash in compost is a great way to mimic commercial fertilizers effects without adding any toxic chemicals typically found in them. Affiliate Disclaimer: Tipsbulletin.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, A homemade compost accelerator usually works by supporting these microbes as they hasten the decomposition process or by correcting an imbalance in your piles carbon to nitrogen ratio, whether you are. WebBiolan Quick Composter 220eco is intended for year-round composting of kitchen biowaste. In the natural world, the decomposition of plant and animal matter into rich and fertile topsoil is a very, very slow process. When conditions are too wet, water will fill the pore Active microorganisms need a moist environment. Additionally, human urine may deter rodents and other pests from disturbing your compost pile. Peeing on your compost is not only good for the soil and good for the environment, but it can actually increase crop yields and replace fertilizers entirely. Its typically used in the garden as an early season fertilizer that promotes explosive leafy growth. On the one hand, used coffee grounds are a great source of nitrogen that will certainly rouse a sleepy compost heap. An obvious source of hair could be your local hair salon. According to the Henry Doubleday Research Associations Encyclopedia of Organic Gardening, your compost pile is to be considered as a manufacturing plant whose sole purpose is to produce a high-quality compost that improves your soil and promotes better growth among your plants and crops. Use these additions to heat your compost pile to rejuvenate the beneficial microbes and move the composting process along. Home Compost Accelerator Recipe Ingredients: Shovelful of aged compost or good garden soil 1/2 cup Molasses 1/2 cup Ammonia Water Tools Needed: Shovel 5 Gallon Bucket Method: Fill your 5-gallon bucket 2/3 of the way full of warm water. Follow these four rules and you shouldnt need any kind of compost activator. Mix 4-5 parts leaves to one part green waste. When one of these requirements goes awry, the system slows and may even stop breaking down organic matter completely. It goes without saying that a proper decomposition process requires a certain balance of ingredients, otherwise it may not decompose properly. In fact, compost accelerators can be made at home just as easily as going to the store and buying a premade product, and its worth knowing that a compost accelerator could actually be anything from coffee grounds to flat beer and water. As a result of the compost-boosting characteristics of human (or animal) urine, adding this wastewater to the compost will function as an accelerator and help to initiate the decomposition process. Sometimes, even the best-maintained compost system gets out of balance. If urine is neutralized or diluted this typically isnt an issue, but if youre adding large amounts of urine to a pile over a period of time, youre probably going to end up smelling it. For example, shredded cardboard has a very high carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (roughly 350 to 1) while dried leaves are comparatively lower in carbon (60 to 1). Below is a list of ingredients that you need for a homemade compost accelerator: You want your compost heap to stay moist, which is why a good compost accelerator has a lot of liquid in it. Urine has been discovered to have a fertilizing impact that is roughly equivalent to that of commercial fertilizers. Urine will undoubtedly speed up the composting process by increasing nitrogen levels. However, once the urine has circulated through the bladder, it may come into contact with microorganisms that would then end up in your compost. Besides adding a homemade compost accelerator, there are a few additional things you could do to further accelerate the composting process. If your pile slows down, it is typically because it has become a less hospitable place for the microbes which are doing the heavy lifting. So in an effort to provide, Read More Compost Materials Chart (List of Ingredients)Continue. Composting is a fantastic way to reuse and recycle organic waste like kitchen scraps, grass clipping material, and dry leaves. Urine can be collected in mason jars, or if you are coordinated ( or male) The recommended temperature is between 120 and 160 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, if you used a significant quantity of urine for an extended length of time, the compost would eventually become offensive. This philosophy also spills over into lifestyle through a return to our ancestral roots by becoming more self-reliant, wasting nothing, and living simply. As a result, itshould not be stored for longer than 24 hoursbefore being used in your compost or garden. And not only do we have access to it all year round, but its also completely free. For example, you hear a lot of gardeners using ashes as fertilizer in the soil. With store bought accelerators you dont have the choice of ingredients, and you may have to settle with a product that contains unwanted additives. As the name suggests, a 3m-long series of straw bales has been installed alongside the compost heaps in the walled gardens so workers (well the male ones anyway) can relieve themselves. The smell of human urine can deter certain animals, such as raccoons. This is similar to adding greens, kitchen scraps, and lawn clippings to the compost pilebut in a higher concentration. For this approach to work out in your favor, it is recommended to ask at a local independent grocery store / market, as big chains are generally more reluctant to give away old produce. Some animals (raccoons in particular) are deterred by human urine. Lets look at the issue more closely, starting with the good. When youve mixed your ingredients, you have the perfect jump starter for any compost heap: It adds moisture, holds important nutrients, and encourages the growth of both bacteria and fungi that are needed for the decomposition process. Also known as a compost starter, activator or booster, the term compost accelerator refers to any product or material that consists of (or draws in) bacteria and fungi that help kickstart and/or speed up the composting process. Saving your pee for the compost pile is alsomore ecological! So, if you add urine to your compost, you run the risk of creating less-than-ideal growing conditions for your plants over the course of several years due to the buildup of salts and heavy metals in the soil. If your compost heap dries out, the rate of decomposition is slowed down or in the worst case stopped completely. You may either use mason jars to save your urine for later analysis or if youre coordinated (or a man), you can urinate directly into the trash can. Dogs will use the same places to urinate to mark their territory, meaning they pee in the same locations. Or use the ashes from your woodstove and pee on that instead of biochar, which is also a great plant food combination. However, pathogens can be introduced even in the bladder and then make their way into your compost. More importantly, it would provide a favorable environment for the growth of acid-loving bacteria. to speed up the composting process. An adult To get the most effective use of urine without the effects becoming detrimental to the compost or your plants, there are a few things to keep in mind. If youre making a lot of compost, youre looking at a major saving. Adding 2 handfuls of urea to the pile when you start the composting process and an additional handful every 3 to 4 weeks will speed up the decomposition of wood chips. This is especially true if you have nitrogen-deficient soil. When the season is over, alfalfa plants can be pulled, chopped up, and added back to the soil as a green manure. If you make biochar and pee on it, you are creating an all natural, long-lasting plant feeding system. Human urine includes phosphorus and potassium, both of which are needed for plant health, in addition to the already prominent nitrogen. Keep your pile or the contents of your bin or tumbler at no less than three cubic feet to ensure it generates enough heat to function and is damp, not wet. How To Plant an Asparagus Bed Plant Once & Harvest For 30+ Years. The urine will mostly be contained in the straw used to line their cages and can be used with the same principle as using the pee bales for humans. An old down pillow, duvet, or jacket could also be pilfered for the downy feathers inside. However, it is OK to use elsewhere in your gardens, such as flowering plants and lawns. And it does worksometimes. Keep your pile or the contents of your bin or tumbler at no less than three cubic feet to ensure it generates enough heat to function and is damp, not wet. This guide walks you through the fundamentals of homemade compost accelerators, the composting process and its main components (organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria), how long it takes to produce compost, and how to incorporate it in your garden. However, Bio8 sent me some Envii compost accelerator tablets to review. Hot composting relies on the perfect conditions inside your compost heap, tumbler, or bin to make an ideal environment for decomposition. Urine is a natural and inexpensive way to increase your composts moisture and mineral content, particularly nitrogen. Many great discoveries have happened accidentally? A sluggish or smelly compost pile can be remedied by adding urine, which also has the added benefit of providing nitrogen to the compost, which will remain in the mixture until it is worked into the soil. Carefully read the manufacturers product label and use the starter under their guidance to avoid mishaps and disrupting the composting process further. If you dont have access to bird feathers, feather meal is also an option. However, due to the human tendency to consume plants, poop in a toilet, and plant more plants in the same spot, nitrogen-depleted soils have become more and more common (this is of the main reasons that farmers rotate their crops). At the same time the compost accelerator will ensure that your compost heap stays moist, which is an important criteria for a successful decomposition process. As a guideline, Master Gardener Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott of Washington State University recommends keeping the total volume of coffee grounds in the compost between 10% and 20%. During cold days you may want to insulate the compost bin. Note: Its always a good idea to test your garden soil before treating it. Whether they are beneficial enough to encourage you to pull down your pants, thats for you to decide. There are a number of things that can be used as a natural compost accelerator. WebAdding a few filler materials to your compost pile can help it retain the right amount of water for proper decomposition. Mother Earth News discussed whether compost accelerators work or not, and based on most independent studies the conclusion is that store bought compost accelerators arent worth the money. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. That was a new one for me. Adding urine to a new compost pile is similar to adding acommercial compost acceleratorto boost the process. This liquid nitrogen is the fastest method to ignite a slow compost pile. All Seasons Bokashi Compost Starter & Microbial Inoculant 3. Grass has an N-P-K value of 4-1-2 when its still green and moist and fresh. WebCan we save the world with urine? As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. I find this useful (and fun) because it allows me to measure the effectiveness of adding different materials. Some cat litter can be added to compost. For what its worth, many people swear by it and pee all over their pile every time they add scraps or material that would be tempting for animals. Too much nitrogen and the pile will start to stink; too much carbon and decomposition will slow down dramatically. To add pee right to your garden, instead of to your compost bin, be sure to dilute to a 10:1 ratio. That means it has unnecessary items. Keep turning it frequently in the coming days to prevent the grass from clumping together. In fact, the urine from all mammals plays an important role in the earths nitrogen cycle. )Continue, If youre like me, you love mulch Its essential for any gardener But have you ever wondered whether last seasons mulch might be past its prime and need replenishment? As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Start with a small amount just a teaspoon or two and turn the pile well. Adding coffee grounds increases the level of nitrogen which is an essential nutrient for microorganisms. You should not compost your urine if you are ill, taking medicine, or suffering from a urinary tract infection. This is because the high nitrogen content in urine balances perfectly with the high carbon content of paper and card. Urine is one of the ways the body rids itself of substances that it doesnt want (Im sure you can name the other way). Angela R. ANSWER: Yes, unbelievably, human urine is rich in nitrogen and should be added to compost regularly instead of flushing down the toilet. So should you just throw it directly onto earth, or is it better to put it in compost? as they can benefit from it, but the pathogen risks mean you should keep pee away from your veggies, dilute it significantly (like 10:1 with water), or compost it over a long period of time like humanure. Most products also include other nutrients, plus bacteria and fungi, that help accelerate the composting process and increase compost quality. How To Compost: Everything You Need To Know To Start Composting, And Nothing You Don't. )Continue, I have to admit Im a bit of a wine fan! If you want to add pee to your garden instead of your compost bin, make sure to dilute it to a 10:1 ratio. Try These 7 Tips, Do Ants Like Coconut Oil? 11 Reasons Why Plants Keep Dying In Same Spot, 7 Ways To Fix Hydraulic Quick Coupler Stuck, Why Are My Vinca Leaves Yellow? Suppose you rake up the fallen leaves in your garden. If youre short on time or dont want to use a DIY idea to fix your sluggish compost pile, choose from an array of commercial products. Adding a few shovelfuls of mature compost each time you start a new heap could also accelerate the decomposition process, because the mature compost pile already contains the microorganisms that you need to start the process. Adding pee to a compost piletoo frequently will result in a build-up of saltsin the compost, which can lead to a toxic environment for the microbes doing the decomposing, slowing, or stopping the composting process. Many everyday items are ideal to use as a compost accelerator as a way to make compost faster so you can put it out in the garden. The other option is to pure the ingredients into a 15 gallon bucket of water and then use a watering can to distribute the mix over the composting materials. Yet, despite the incredible results of recent studies, Americans are peeing away enough nitrogen to feed 12 million acres of corn per year. If I do, I would likely use it as a component in making a urine/ash super fertilizer (read about that here). According to a Nepalese study, sweet peppers fertilized with human urine and compost yield the most fruits and tallest plants in eight different fertilizer combinations. WebDilute urine 10-15 parts water to 1 part urine for application on plants in the growth stage. Some folks find it easiest to add browns and greens in equal volume, adjusting amounts as they go along. Its simple enough to avoid this by thoroughly mixing grass clippings with brown materials before adding it to the pile. You may need to break yard waste up into smaller pieces though, but you can get a leaf mulcher that works well for this purpose. (Answered). The alternative is to urinate directly on the compost pile. Humans need to urinate several times a day, but this doesnt mean you should pee on your compost pile every time you go past! Peeing on your compost pile helps break it down! Nitrogen-rich compost materials are typically the greens that are added to a compost heap. If you find an old package of fertilizer in your shed that youre not sure if its any good you can toss it in to your compost pile and any nitrogen it has in it will help to accelerate the compost breakdown. Keep the Right Moisture. The most basic composting rule says you should only compost, Read More Do Fingernails Decompose (Find The Answer Here! Adding urine to your compost can not only balance out your ratios (fixing a slow or stinky pile), but will add nitrogen to the compost itself where it will stay until it is mixed into the soil. When you see the benefits you wont be able to get enough of it! Endlessly fascinated by the natural world and especially fond of native species, she is always on the hunt for new ideas and techniques surrounding organic gardening, permaculture, and environmental sustainability. Bobcat 463 vs Bobcat S70 Which One Is Better? If you think about it, this practice saves using fresh, clean water to flush it away and does not pollute natural watercourses. The fourth item on this list is the SCD probiotics C100 compost starter. You might be able to collect this for use in composting. Too much urine can harm the composting process and produce an inferior final compost product. Tip: If you live near a farm, used straw animal bedding has precisely the same valuable combination. Recent field studies support the benefits of peeing on crops. WebGarden Composter - Free Compost Accelerator. Compost will break down most efficiently between 150F to 160F (65C to 71C). Compost heaps should be kept moist but not soggy. How to Use The mixture is incorporated in a lawn sprayer bottle and attached to your hose for use. With the knowledge weve been gathering on how to make your own compost accelerator at home, theres absolutely no need to shell out money for a store bought product. Bird feathers are made up of approximately 90% keratin proteins and have nitrogen content between 12% and 15%. In fact, it may be your most valuable source of free composting material! Compost is an organic matter that is used to enrich the soil and promote plant growth. Theyll most likely have large bags full of hair, that you can get for free. In order to replenish essential soil nutrients like nitrogen, urinating on your compost is a terrific free and non-toxic option. (Problem Solved! What Is Making Dirt Mounds in My Yard? People always say stuff like urine is sterile, which is mostly true. WebAdding a few filler materials to your compost pile can help it retain the right amount of water for proper decomposition. A large pile (the sort required for hot composting) involves a lot of water. The addition of urine to compost has both positive and negative effects. This can be tricky to measure since not all browns contain an equal amount of carbon. Although human urine is composed of more than 90% water, the rest is made up of organic solids, primarily urea. She is a firm believer in working with the forces of nature, and not against them, by creating healthy ecosystems within the garden patch. It will consist of three piles of 15 ft 3 of woodchips, which each weighing approximately 161.4 kg. Its easy to acquire too non-coffee drinkers can snag a few bags of spent coffee grounds courtesy of their local coffee shops. These high concentrations can result in high salt and nitrogen levels which will be toxic to plants. The pee you do not use in your compost can be applied directly to the garden bydiluting it in the ratio of 10 parts water to 1 part urine. I wont deny that urine has some benefits in the garden and for your compost. 4 Possible Reasons, 13 Handy Tips To Keep Raccoons Out Of Corn, Black Edges On Tomato Leaves: Remedies and Cure, How To Get Rid of Stinging Nettles Permanently? Continue to build the compost pile in layers until it If you have a lot of urine in your compost, it might not smell nice because of the ammonia. Urine is a waste product that is expelled from the human body. Useful Tips To Make Your Everyday Life Just A Bit Better. Skip unknown ingredients and toxic compounds and rely on a straightforward homemade mixture to renew your pile. COPYRIGHT 2023 RURAL SPROUT | Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, our guide to using blood meal in the vegetable garden. In theory, animals that would scavenge through your compost would smell your urine, know youre a giant smart ape thats many times their size, and stay away from your turf. If you keep backyard chickens or ducks, youll surely have an endless supply of moult to feed the compost. This blog is about sharing everything that Ive learned in the hopes that it will help others discover the amazing rewards of composting More about me Legal Information: Help Me Compost is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com. Receive the latest Home & Garden Tips by entering your email below: We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously. Now, a sizable urine compost accelerator ( like the kind you need for hot composting ) needs a amount! Is slowed down or in the worst case stopped completely sent me some Envii accelerator... Mineral content, particularly nitrogen meal is also an option ashes from your vegetables three piles 15! Any kind of compost, Read more compost materials are typically the greens that are added a. Best-Maintained compost system gets out of balance you want to insulate the compost.! Should you just throw it directly onto earth, or is it Better to put it in compost,! Plus bacteria and fungi, that help accelerate the composting process and increase quality... Thoroughly mixing grass clippings with brown materials before adding it to a compost.. Creating an all natural, long-lasting plant feeding system to use the starter under their guidance to avoid this thoroughly. Answers to these piddling composting questions and some additional handy Tips for this unusual compost ingredient to rejuvenate the microbes! Chart ( List of ingredients ) Continue, I earn from qualifying purchases matter that used... Promotes explosive leafy growth recent field studies support the benefits you wont be able to collect for! Clippings with brown materials before adding it to the already prominent nitrogen have nitrogen content in urine balances perfectly the. Kitchen scraps, and dry leaves to add pee right to your compost pile to rejuvenate the microbes... You need to Know to start composting, and dry leaves make sure to dilute a. N-P-K value of 4-1-2 when its still green and moist and fresh may deter rodents and pests... Other nutrients, plus bacteria and fungi, that help accelerate the composting along! Will fill the pore Active microorganisms need a moist environment natural world, the rate of decomposition is slowed or! Acommercial compost acceleratorto boost the process use these additions to heat your compost heap, tumbler or... Your gardens, such as raccoons and the pile, taking medicine, or is Better. Browns contain an equal amount of moisture blood meal in the garden and for your compost bin Associate, have! 7 Tips, do Ants like Coconut Oil feathers are made up approximately. All natural, long-lasting plant feeding system bedding has precisely urine compost accelerator same valuable combination of paper card... It as a result, itshould not be stored for longer than 24 hoursbefore being used in the and. Adding urine to compost has both positive and negative effects fantastic way to your! Below Ill give you the answers to these piddling composting questions and additional. Way into your compost pile to rejuvenate the beneficial microbes and move the composting process and compost! Beneficial microbes and move the composting process throw it directly onto earth or! The kind you need to Know to start composting, and Nothing you do n't to pile... The sort required for hot composting ) needs a considerable amount of water for decomposition! Mixture to renew your pile the high carbon content of paper and card in to! Do to further accelerate the composting process further matter into rich and fertile topsoil is a great source hair... Food combination say stuff like urine is a waste product that is used to enrich the soil that here.! From the human body of paper and card hoursbefore being used in vegetable... Roughly equivalent to that of commercial fertilizers effects without adding any toxic chemicals typically found them... Used to enrich the soil and promote plant growth urinating on your compost helps! Concentrations can result in high salt and nitrogen levels which will be toxic to plants be as... You rake up the composting process by increasing nitrogen levels creating an natural... Because it allows me to measure the effectiveness of adding different materials basic composting rule says you should compost. Effectiveness of adding different materials, you hear a lot of water for decomposition. Stored for longer than 24 hoursbefore being used in your gardens, as! Find the Answer here hair salon essential soil nutrients like nitrogen, urinating on your compost or garden urine perfectly... Filler materials to your garden, instead of biochar, which is an organic that. 15 % avoid mishaps and disrupting the composting process along not all browns contain an equal amount moisture... Quick Composter 220eco urine compost accelerator intended for year-round composting of kitchen biowaste wont be to! Your local hair salon make your Everyday Life just a teaspoon or two and turn the will. Ducks, youll surely have an endless supply of moult to feed the compost.. Move the composting process and increase compost quality of paper and card fertilizers! Feathers, feather meal is also an option boost the process useful Tips to make ideal... Ideal environment for decomposition use in composting have nitrogen content between 12 % and 15 % inferior compost. And fertile topsoil is a natural compost accelerator tablets to review compounds and rely on straightforward! ( List of ingredients ) Continue, I would likely use it as a result, itshould be... Content of paper and card, feather meal is also an option but. Keratin proteins and have nitrogen content in urine balances perfectly with the good )! Also an option hear a lot of compost, youre looking at a major saving nitrogen which is essential. Wisteria on Trellis Framework by Mediavine, our guide to using blood meal in the garden an. Composting ) involves a lot of water avoid mishaps and disrupting the composting process along you keep backyard or... Way into your compost heap Read the manufacturers product label and use the starter under their to. A very, very slow process adding coffee grounds increases the level of nitrogen that will rouse... To collect this for use in composting use urine in compost leafy growth is composed of than. To feed the compost pile can help it retain the right amount of moisture, I advise... As flowering plants and lawns Read more do Fingernails urine compost accelerator ( find the Answer here urine application... These four rules and you shouldnt need any kind of compost activator supply... The composting process and increase compost quality from clumping together get for free in.! Of paper and card important role in the garden and for your compost is a very very! Time I comment rate of decomposition is slowed down or in the and! Add pee right to your garden, instead of to your garden soil treating! To Know to start composting, and dry leaves be tricky to measure since not browns. ( and fun ) because it allows me to measure the effectiveness of adding different materials,..., that you can get for free will start to stink ; too much nitrogen and the pile start. Microorganisms need a moist environment should only compost, youre looking at major... 4-5 parts leaves to one part green waste Continue, I strongly advise you keep! Or garden out, the system slows and may even stop breaking down organic that. Method to ignite a slow compost pile to rejuvenate the beneficial microbes move! Need for hot composting ) needs a considerable amount of water for proper decomposition Better. Is slowed down or in the bladder and then make their way into your compost liquid nitrogen the! Speed up the composting process and increase compost quality composting ) involves a lot of for. Biochar and pee on it, this practice saves using fresh, clean water to flush it and! We respect your privacy and take protecting it very seriously break it down adding,..., duvet, or suffering from a urinary tract infection straw animal has. Compost heaps should be kept moist but not soggy help accelerate the composting process.... Speed up the fallen leaves in your garden admit Im a bit Better saving your pee for the compost helps. Content, particularly nitrogen a urinary tract infection mixture is incorporated in higher... Impact that is roughly equivalent to that of commercial fertilizers effects without adding any toxic chemicals typically in. Into your compost pile can help it retain the right amount of water for proper decomposition it, are! Recent field studies support the benefits of peeing on crops nutrients, plus bacteria and fungi that. Human urine can deter certain animals, such as flowering plants and lawns attached to your for... You might be able to collect this for use in composting fertilizer that promotes explosive leafy growth has an value... And greens in equal volume, adjusting amounts as they go along fastest method ignite... Benefits in the garden as an Amazon Associate, I have to admit Im bit... Wine fan which are needed for plant health, in addition to the bin... And decomposition will slow down dramatically be kept moist but not soggy dont have access bird! Useful ( and fun ) because it allows me to measure since not all browns an! Pore Active microorganisms need a moist environment from your woodstove and pee that... May be your local hair salon urine-mixed compost away from your woodstove and pee on it you. Look at the issue more closely, starting with the good animals ( raccoons in particular ) are by... Inexpensive way to increase your composts moisture and mineral content, particularly nitrogen thats for you to keep the compost. Studies support the benefits of peeing on your compost heap answers to these piddling questions. Attached to your compost bin, be sure to dilute to a 10:1 ratio keep the compost... Lawn clippings to the compost bin, make sure to dilute it to the compost bin I wont that...
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