r/composting • u/WastingTimesOnReddit • Jun 04 '26
Pisspost When should I stop peeing on the compost pile?
The pile is still cooking and there are some uncooked browns still, I am turning it once or twice a week and watering it, and peeing on it.
Is there a point at which I should stop peeing on it? Like a few weeks or a month before I plan to dry it, sift it, and store it? Like obviously I don't want the finished compost to smell like my pee and the microbes take some time to digest the piss or whatever. Thanks
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u/bowlochile Jun 04 '26
Can’t stop won’t stop
Seriously though you don’t have to stop before sifting. Unless it’s too wet, unlikely in summer months.
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u/katzenjammer08 Jun 04 '26 edited Jun 05 '26
I don’t think you can pee so much that you stay ahead of offgassing, leeching and just evaporation. I would lay off a day or two before handling it, mostly because it won’t do much good in the last few days, but some the nitrogen will be used by your plants, some by microbes and some will be lost as gas, the water will dry out and the trace materials won’t go anywhere in the short amount of time between you stop and when you use the compost.
So long story short: I wouldn’t worry too much about it. Any soil is full of poop from different animals and organisms, so stop some time before using the composting it makes you feel better or a day or two before and then turn it
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u/kl2467 Jun 04 '26
One does not have only a single pile. One has at least three in rotation. Ergo, when the first pile is left to cook, one pees on the second and third piles respectively. The peeing is continuous. Only the destination varies. No nitrogen is ever wasted.
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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Jun 04 '26
Yeah so we have bokashi coming from the kitchen, which goes into the aerobin along with browns. The aerobin stuff is pulled out the bottom and put into a "finishing" pile, it's super brown and a bit smelly and quite wet. I've been peeing on that pile, but also peeing into the aerobin. We have a couple other piles but they're basically just storage for browns until we create enough greens to make a good mixture in the aerobin.
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u/frejas-rain Jun 05 '26
Would if I could! County law mandates a maximum of ONE compost bin per household. And yes I have a neighbor who greatly enjoys any reason to call the cops.
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u/Chell797 Jun 04 '26
Wait we’re supposed to pee on it? I feel like I’ve missed out on a secret trick.
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u/BeginningAd5055 Composting toilet, garden waste, and kitchen waste for decades. Jun 04 '26
Urine adds nitrogen and water. Most compost piles need more of both in the summer.
The amount of nitrogen is not huge, but every bit helps.
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u/Chell797 Jun 04 '26
Thank you for explaining. I’ve been peeing around my garden in a battle with raccoons but never once thought about peeing on the compost pile! Guess I need to up my water intake 😂
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u/AnotherContingency Jun 04 '26
Does this work? How do you do this? Just random pee spots around the yard to deter? I’ve got a raccoon that is wrecking havoc in my yard at night! Just randomly knocking things over, pulling plants out of pots, like a drunk frat boy
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u/Chell797 Jun 04 '26
That’s what they’re doing to me also lol. Peeing has been my last layer of defense. I’ve gone absolutely overboard but it’s effective. I bought a bulk pack of Irish springs bar soap and placed one every few feet around the garden, shaved a bar up over the pathways also. I’ve added any noisy or flashy things I’ve found, I painted a mannequin chrome and set her up as a scarecrow type and change her pose daily 😂. I’ve also taken a bunch of old wire hangers and randomly have them poking out of the ground around the plants. Heading to the thrift store to buy old cheap forks next.
Each day I escalate and get less chaos in return. I finally started peeing around the perimeter a few days ago and I have not seen them since. Unsure if they’ve just decided I was a little too crazy to deal with or the pee worked, or some other random reason. Luckily I’m rural and you cannot see the garden from the road or I’d probably be shunned for my antics.
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u/Chell797 Jun 04 '26
I’ve heard a motion activated sprinkler works well but I do not have a water supply by my garden. If you do, that would probably be much quicker and easier.
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u/AnotherContingency Jun 05 '26
Haha you are serious about this warfare! I like your dedication and creativity!
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u/ludicrous_copulator Jun 05 '26
I don't mean this to be mean, but every other post in this subreddit is about peeing in the compost pile. Are you new?
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u/Sharp-Win-8964 Jun 04 '26
Pee all day every day. You can even skip compost and pee directly on the plant
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u/No_Potential1 Jun 04 '26
My pee kills plants, is there something wrong with me?
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u/Jennsea23 Jun 04 '26
Too concentrated. Dilute it 1 to 20 with water
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u/No_Potential1 Jun 05 '26
But I am already very hydrated. It is rare that it is has even a tinge of yellow except maybe first thing in the morning. Does it still need the dilution?
Also is it harmful if accidentally used in the windshield washer reservoir of a car?
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u/GreyAardvark Jun 04 '26
Can I add pee to a vermicompost?
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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Jun 04 '26
there are worms and mice in my compost pile so they all get the golden showers
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u/GreyAardvark Jun 04 '26
I am afraid of how hot it might make it?
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u/WastingTimesOnReddit Jun 04 '26
not sure, probably depends on your setup. i have no been able to get my pile actually hot yet
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u/Unique-Coffee5087 Jun 04 '26
I just do it if I think it needs a nitrogen boost, and I don't have convenient greens.
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u/PulltheNugsApart Jun 04 '26
3 months is good, to let the pee and the uncooked browns finish off. Don't need to turn it for the last part
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u/fishyfishfishfishf Jun 05 '26
I only stop if I get sick or hurt so the doctor prescribes medication.
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u/ChildhoodSea7062 Jun 04 '26
When your blaster is empty