Could Your Poop Help Your Plants Grow?

Searching for ways to make your garden flourish without breaking the bank? You’re not alone. Many home gardeners and small-scale farmers struggle to find affordable fertilizers that provide all the nutrients plants need. Have you considered using human waste as fertilizer?

I know what you’re thinking – human poop on vegetables we eat? Gross! But using human waste as fertilizer is not a new idea. In fact, it’s been done for thousands of years in some cultures. The nutrients in human feces – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium – are like plant superfood, promoting healthy growth.

Composting human waste kills pathogens and parasites so it’s safe. When done right, you get rich, free fertilizer to feed your plants. But mishandling and improper composting of human waste can spread disease. So it’s crucial to learn how to compost it safely before using it in your garden.

In this article, we’ll explore the pros and cons of using human waste as fertilizer. I’ll share tips on how to compost human manure safely at home. You’ll learn which crops you can fertilize with composted human poop and which you can’t. Let’s dive in and see if this frugal fertilizer option is right for your garden!

The Benefits of Using Human Manure as Fertilizer

Human feces contains tons of nutrients that provide excellent nourishment for plants. Here’s an overview:

Nitrogen – essential for leaf growth and photosynthesis. Poop has lots of nitrogen.
Phosphorus – important for root, flower, and fruit production. Human waste is a great source.
Potassium – crucial for plant respiration and metabolism. Poop can provide plenty of potassium.

So if you’re looking for a free, organic way to get these key nutrients for your garden, consider composting your own poop.

When done properly, using human manure as fertilizer poses little risk to plants or people. And unlike chemical fertilizers, it improves soil structure and microbiology as it breaks down.

How to Compost Human Waste for Fertilizer

Composting is a must for safely using human waste as fertilizer. Here are some tips:

Choose the Right Location

Pick a spot away from wells, streams, or crops for your compost pile. This prevents contamination. Dig a shallow pit to contain leachate.

Mix in Absorbent Organics

Layer human feces with absorbent, carbon-rich materials like sawdust, shredded paper, or straw. This helps dry and break down waste.

Maintain Aerobic Conditions

Turn and mix the compost pile weekly and keep it moist. This prevents anaerobic (oxygen-free) conditions that attract pests and pathogens.

Wait Patiently

Be patient! It takes 6-12 months for human waste to fully compost. When finished, it will be a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material.

Use Properly Aged Compost

Only use human waste compost that is at least one year old on food crops. This ensures no lingering pathogens.

Crops You Can Fertilize with Composted Poop

Composted human feces are suitable for:

Flowers like sunflowers, zinnias, roses
Fruit trees and bushes
Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce
Root vegetables like carrots and potatoes
Tomato, pepper and eggplant plants

Do not use fresh manure or insufficiently composted poop on these crops, as pathogens could persist.

I don’t recommend using human waste to fertilize:

Shallow-rooted vegetables eaten raw like lettuce and spinach
Foods that touch the soil like strawberries and squash
Anything you plant less than a year after applying composted poop

Better to play it safe with these crops!

How Much to Use and When to Apply

A little bit of composted human poop goes a long way! Here are some general tips:

Apply 1-3 inches mixed into soil before planting
Side dress growing plants with 1/4 cup every 4-6 weeks
Limit to 2 pounds (1 quart) per square foot per year

To avoid burning plants, don’t overdo it. And always wash produce thoroughly before eating.

The Pros and Cons of Using Human Waste as Fertilizer

Using composted poop on your garden has some clear benefits, but also important considerations:

Pros

Free and organic source of key nutrients
Improves soil texture and microbial life
Reduces need for chemical fertilizers
Closes the loop as human waste is recycled

Cons

Pathogen and public health risk if not properly composted
Social stigma against using human excrement
Can require separate composting toilet or system
Has an unpleasant smell during composting

Overall, with the right precautions, using human waste as fertilizer can be safe, sustainable, and ideal for the organic gardener.

FAQs

FAQ: Is it safe to use human waste on food crops?

Composted human waste is safe for food crops if it has fully decomposed for at least 1 year. This allows time for pathogens and parasites to be killed off. Only apply aged compost, and wait 1 year before harvesting root crops and leafy greens.

FAQ: What diseases could spread from human feces fertilizer?

Fresh human waste can transmit gastroenteritis, hepatitis A, hookworm, etc. Proper composting destroys these pathogens. But improper sanitation when handling waste could spread diseases. Always wear gloves and wash hands after.

FAQ: How do I compost human manure in cities or apartments?

Vermicomposting uses worms to break down small amounts of waste indoors. Or find a community garden with a compost program that accepts human waste. Composting toilets also allow urban waste composting.

FAQ: What volume of composted poop can I safely use?

Limit applications to 2 pounds of composted human waste per square foot of garden space per year. So a 10×10 plot could get 200 lbs of aged composted poop annually. Too much can burn plants.

FAQ: Are there ways to boost the nutrient content of human poop?

Eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains provides more nutrients that get passed through to feces. Supplements like zinc and magnesium could also enrich your waste for compost.

Is Fertilizing with Poop Right for You?

Composting your own waste takes commitment, but can be very rewarding! Follow these tips if you want to try it:

Check local laws – some areas prohibit using human waste
Start small with just garden trimmings and leaves to learn composting
Slowly add manure after your pile is actively decomposing
Use common sense hygiene like gloves and washing hands
Apply finished compost carefully and in recommended amounts

The bottom line? Composted human waste can make an excellent fertilizer for your garden with minimal risk if handled properly. It may not be for everyone, but it is a free and environmentally-friendly option to consider!

I hope these poop scoop on using human feces as fertilizer helped clear the air on this smelly but promising organic gardening method. Let me know if you have any other questions!