Compost plus a wee or two

Discussion in 'Compost, Fertilisers & Recycling' started by fuchsialady, Mar 18, 2015.

  1. fuchsialady

    fuchsialady Gardener

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    I've read most of the posts etc on using urine on compost heaps but I still am wondering....
    • I've been badgering the family to do the right thing regarding collecting their wee. I end up with about 2 pints a day. I have 3 or 4 compost heaps and have been alternating between them each day. That means they get a dose of 4 pints diluted, every couple of days.
    • Is it Ok to continue with this for ever or is it possible to get a nitrogen overdose?!
    • I have been wiggling holes in the compost so it soaks down nearer the bottom of the pile rather than soaking the top layer all the time. Sensible or pointless?
    • There seems to be no real concensus on whether it should be diluted or not. Maybe because it doesn't really matter that much!?
    Compost making seems to be a bit of a magical art to me ( is it really practical to collect green/brown separately till you've got a goodly pile? I have no space. Things get lobbed into the pile as I weed/chop/mow) so I'd appreciate hearing people's views.
     
  2. NigelJ

    NigelJ Total Gardener

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    Not for most people. Like you I sling stuff on the heap as I get it, but then I turn it over about once a fortnight (summer time) to mix everything in. When the bin is full it gets a final mix and left to mature.
     
  3. shiney

    shiney President, Grumpy Old Men's Club Staff Member

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    If you have a number of compost heaps I don't think you can overdose them with wee. Whenever I'm in the garden and I need to go I always do it straight onto the heaps. I never bother turning them but it's not necessary if you have a two year rotation of heaps.

    Don't forget you can use shredded paper on the heaps as well. :blue thumb:
     
  4. "M"

    "M" Total Gardener

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    No need to dilute it.
    Just so long as the amount you are adding isn't making the compost overly wet/soggy/slushy you should be ok. If it is, then follow Shiney's advice and add shredded paper to absorb the excess.
     
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