the word organic isn't interchangeable w/ the phrase organic material, and is generally understood to mean "raised or grown without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals", so no, it wouldn't be accepted as an 'organic' fertilizer

if you mean organic as in 'natural' [as opposed to synthetic, which isn't the opposite of organic], then yes urine is organic material - if you mean organic as in certified organic, no because there may have been all kinds of chemicals that contributed to it's creation, and there may be many things in it which wouldn't be approved for organic growing [like remnents of any meds you might take, and other 'contaminents'] which is what's considered when using the term that way

chemically the term organic refers to a carbon compound, and urine is generally considered a 'green' here, tho I find mine to be a good weed killer

Bill

Ha ha. A good weed killer. That's funny. Thanks for the thorough explanation.

Any idea what the nitrogen content is? I've been applying a diluted solution to my fescue lawn, which is the deepest green it's ever been, but I certainly wouldn't want to overdo it. It's just so tempting to keep spraying the stuff, given that it's FREE. I love free stuff.

OMG - dare I ask how you "spray" it? ROTFLMAO

if you are veggie and not on meds, its pretty organic....?

and WAY safer than feces for home use. Not saying I dont believe in composting toilets, but theyre not for beginners. IMHO

it's "organic material" regardless of who it comes from, but never heard of "pretty organic" - it's supposed to be sterile, but that doesn't mean free of contaminents or waste products or even all microbes, or that it's always the same - the kidneys are a mechanism to clean your system, after all!

Bill

and certified organic produce doesn't have chemicals used on it? not what i've heard and read, anyway yes human urine is! and as organic is a derivative of original i still don't understand how it can be patented or the like.

anyhow that's how i see it.

len

mail len

lens garden page

didn't read all the posts and why aren't composting tiolets for beginners? when we bought ours we where begginers our toilet is odourless we run dry bins that is all night water is saved seperate and used to water food plants, we use composting worms and when the process is done we get humas no odour no resemblance by site to the original and the food plants love it as do the worms in the gardens.

sounds like fear hype coming to the fore? we waste no water and we pollute no aquafas or waterways.

len

Don't mind using urine (used Beer) as a direct deposit around the outer perimeter as a deer repellant, however applied to my veggie plants I just can't go with it

Just my 2¢

I typed IMHO. There are serious potential risks that anyone who wants a composting toilet should know about and consider. Will the ever come up, maybe not, but its worth considering. I DO think theyre a great idea, very eco-friendly, and if youve got an orchard is great feed.

Feces can contain bacteria or parasites that need to be hot composted or thorougly digested to be rendered completely safe. I would never be entirely comfortable using it on veggies, but would for fruit crops.

the very young, old, on meds, immunocompromised, or pregnant ARE more susceptible to infection, and shouldnt be the feces-taker-outers without a good pair of waders and gloves. Im a dietitian engaged to a biologist.
not fear and hype, just my comfort level, with a desire to educate.
peace (and compost!)

OH! DO know that if you have skunks in the area, the salts in your urine can encourage them to nibble (ala salt lick)

squeeze said...
the word organic isn't interchangeable w/ the phrase organic material, and is generally understood to mean "raised or grown without the use of drugs, hormones, or synthetic chemicals", so no, it wouldn't be accepted as an 'organic' fertilizer

if you mean organic as in 'natural' [as opposed to synthetic, which isn't the opposite of organic], then yes urine is organic material - if you mean organic as in certified organic, no because there may have been all kinds of chemicals that contributed to it's creation, and there may be many things in it which wouldn't be approved for organic growing [like remnents of any meds you might take, and other 'contaminents'] which is what's considered when using the term that way

I thought squeeze was joking as I read this. Where's the punch line? I've never read anything as preposterous. If anything is organic it is the waste materials of animals including microbes, insects, birds, fish, and mammals. I don't care if you've been injecting diazinon with a needle, waste material is organic. The meat from an injected animal might not be approved for organic marketing, but the waste material is organic.

If you are asking whether it is accepted as an organic fertilizer, squeeze is correct, it is not. You'll have to talk to the Powers That Be to get the whys and wherefores on that.

Another related question is, Is it any good for your plants? That depends on the rest of your soil. Personally I believe it makes a better ingredient for compost.

I agree with most of what you say David but 'it is not accepted as an organic fertilizer'? I'd like to see actual statements to that effect in any organic standard. Not saying they're not there but the standards I recall reading don't mention human urine. Animal manure including urine from animals not raised organically is acceptable if composted, as I recall. Will see what I can find.

preposterous Dchall? if you re-read what I said, it's about the same as what you are saying - mowmowgreen appeared to be using the term 'organic' in the sense of 'certified organic', and as Paul points out [and you prefer], any animal waste products must be composted before use to meet 'organic standards' - there is a definite difference in the various meanings of the simple word "organic", and I attempted to differentiate between urine as an 'organic material' and as an 'organicly acceptable' fertilizer

and Paul, you will not likely find human urine specifically prohibited by any organic standard, although you'll not likely find any certification authority that would agree peeing on your garden is acceptable any more than is using human fecal material - are humans not "animals" anymore?

Bill

still sounds like there is a fear hype attached to the use of human waste as it comes to you from a composting toilet. these toilets are epa approved as environmently safe and health safe when used in accordance with their design but then nothing can be fool proof can it??

there is no evidence that i am aware of that will indicate any problems have ever occured form using composting toilets.

len

agreed squeeze

thats why ckicken poop is so good its got urine mixed in with it . So i pee in my compost brings up the urea level i beleave.

My hubby's takes so many medications, I wouldn't use his urine to even kill weeds. For killing skeeters, however, his blood probably works pretty well. Unfortunately, they always prefer mine.

Well of course it's organic. What else could it be?

Is it certified organic? Who cares!?

Check out the guide for smart the smart usage of urine as a fertilizer.

It could be organic if you have only consumed organic products for a few years, good luck with that!

Here is a link that might be useful: The Guide on the Use of Urine in Crop Production