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What are the facts regarding wee and composting?

elderberryelderberry Posts: 118
in Problem solving
This is what I know, that human wee on the compost heap is a good thing, but some say too much makes it too acidic and can deter worms. So what is the ideal quantity? What's really needed is a guide on what volume of wee can be added, and how frequently, to a heap receiving a certain volume of new composting material every day. I'm ignoring other factors like how dark your wee is because it's already complicated enough.
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  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,889
    Unless you're diverting the waste pipe from a local urinal, I'd not worry about it. 
    I've been "adding" it for years and never noticed any lack of worms.
    Horse poo is very acidic and is often rammed full of worms.
    Devon.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    It's easy to complicate things in gardening [ as in so many other areas of life] elderberry.  :)
    As Hosta says - unless you're adding unbelievable quantities, it'll be fine.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    edited October 2018
    I'm not 100% sure about this, but l think l read somewhere that male wee is best. Of course, that could be because it's easier for a man to wee onto a compost heap !  :D
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    So they say Anni. I'm not testing it out in the garden anyway, the neighbours already think I'm weird, and I don't want the police knocking on the door... :D
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    edited October 2018
    A great topic to wake up to on a Sunday morning.  ;)
    A wee wee does no harm to the compost or the worms.
    More info here:
    Urinate on the compost heap to save the planet says the National Trust
  • Green MagpieGreen Magpie Posts: 806
    I think the male-wee thing is a different issue: it is said that male wee will deter badgers (and possibly other unwanted mammals) because of the hormones, which deter them. I am sure any wee from humans or animals, in reasonable quantities, is likely to benefit a compost heap by adding nitrogen.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    When our compost heap needs a bit of a boost a bucket is put in the downstairs loo ... OH kindly obliges, the content is diluted with rainwater from the butts and poured onto the compost heap ... works wonders.  

    No need for chaps to stand out there in full view of the neighbours ... unless they want to of course  ;)

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Papi JoPapi Jo Posts: 4,254
    @Dovefromabove, My compost bins are strategically located in a corner of the garden amidst shrubs providing ample privacy from potential voyeurs. Something to consider when planning a garden.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Dovefromabove said:

    No need for chaps to stand out there in full view of the neighbours ... unless they want to of course  ;)
    Of course, some folk will do anything for attention Dove  ;)
    As G.Magpie says - male pee is supposed to be a deterrent, but that's another debate.
    Perhaps the exhibitionists might like to do a trial...Papi Jo?  ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    @diana 1  ... whilst I don't advocate 'waving it in their faces' so to speak ;)  my 'view' is that if neighbours go out of their way to be nosy, then they deserve everything they see ... whether it shocks them or not.  hi5

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





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