If you like to use home remedies in the garden, you also have the option of fertilizing. Urine is an ideal fertilizer because it contains many nutrients and is also organic. We show how basil can be fertilized with urine.
Can you fertilize basil with urine?
Basil as a heavy feedercan be fertilized with urine. To do this, the urine must be diluted before it is applied when watering. In principle, however, most people avoid fertilizing freshly edible plants with urine.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of urine as a fertilizer?
Urine is anaturalfertilizer that is alsofree. However, it is only suitable for heavy eaters because it contains a lot of nitrogen. Other ingredients that basil also needs to fertilize are the minerals potassium, magnesium and phosphorus - theystimulate plant growth
Possible smellsHowever, the disadvantage is when it comes to plants such as herbs that are eaten fresh.
How to fertilize with urine?
To fertilize with urine, it mustbe diluted before use For heavy feeders like basil, it is diluted with water in a ratio of 1:10. This water can then be distributed in the garden bed with a watering can with a spray head or used for fertilization in the greenhouse. Alternatively, a fertilizer mixer that can be connected to the garden hose (€11.00 on Amazon) can be used. Fertilization with urine in the midday heat with extreme solar radiation and in strong winds should be avoided.
What problems can occur when fertilizing with urine?
The diluted urine mustunder no circumstances get on the leavesof the basil - the high nitrogen content could cause the leaves to burn. It is also important to make surenot to fertilize too often with urine to avoid over-fertilizing the basil. If the pH value of the soil becomes too high, fertilization with urine must be stopped - it should definitely not be higher than 7 for basil.
Can urine used as fertilizer damage plants?
Urinecan damage the basil plantand also, for example, hydrangeas or other plants in the garden bedif it isundilutedis applied. In addition, urine is not germ-free and is harmful to plants as a fertilizer if it comes from people who smoke or take medication. The pollutants contained in it would pass through the urine into the soil and finally into the plants, which in the case of basil that is still to be consumed can be not only unappetizing but also harmful to he alth.
Tip
Avoid the unpleasant smell of urine
If fresh, diluted urine is used, it is absolutely harmless in terms of odor. Unpleasant smells only occur if the concentration in the irrigation water is too high or if the urine has already been stored before fertilization. Then the conversion of the nitrogen contained in the urea creates ammonia, which has a pungent smell.