Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants

by Carol Steinfeld

A humorous guide to fertilizing your plants for free

Nitrogen pollution of lakes, rivers, and oceans by human urine is a growing problem. Liquid Gold shows how urine can safely be used to grow food, fuel, fiber, and beautiful landscapes while protecting the environment and providing free and safe fertilizer. Featuring a short history of urine use--from ritual to medicinal and even culinary--and many whimsical illustrations, this great bathroom reader is an ideal gift for irreverent gardeners, homeowners, campers, environmentalists, and anyone who urinates.

Carol Steinfeld is a writer, urinal designer, and ecological wastewater consultant.

Malcolm Wells is a well-known illustrator and author specializing in underground architecture.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0966678311
• ISBN13: 9780966678314
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: New Society Publishers
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 6.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

Just Pee On It!!!

I have always wondered why a dog lifts his leg to pee on a plant. Guess God knew if man didn't have enough smarts then His animals would do the job the natural way that would make His plants grow healthy and strong. I spent several years in the military over in Germany and wondered why they sprayed human waste on thier food growing in the fields there. Thought it was a very dangerous practice at that time. Now I have a very different way of thinking. I pee on my yard plants now and they are beautiful. Save yourself tons of money buying chemicals because pee is free!!!

This book is FUN!

For anyone interested in this sort of thing "Practicality". This book is fun and interesting. I loved it. Very Easy read. Lots of techniques used around the world on urine separating toilents; along with ideas on how to create you own urinals. I acually made one after reading this book and am using it as liquid fertilizer in my yard. The design is so clean and out of the way that not even my wife was bothered by it!

(not) illogical captain!

Doreen and I have been cultivating a variety of plants over a number of years now. In the past we had always used peat but (thanks to the riots at Clonycavan) prices soared and we were left helpless. It was at this time we turned to the pioneering research of Carol Steinfeld and fortunately she did not disappoint. Despite a couple of minor setbacks (before Doreen started going through a funnel) our indoor plants were soon growing better than ever before! PS. Anyone who disputes the logic of using human-fluids to grow plants, need only turn to the actions of the grandfather of logic: Dr. Spock (not to be confused with the child psychologist Mr. Spock!). Who could forget the episode of Star Trek in which he relieves himself into the ship's yucca plant?

Practical advice for a world of scarce resources.

The is a smart, thoughtful book on an important subject. Despite the cartoon cover, the author approaches the use and disposal of urine in a practical and user friendly way. She presents convincing scientific information supporting the healthful use of urine for growing plants. Also, she gives good information on composting toilets. This is a timely subject for two reasons: first, the recapture of the nitrogen and other resources that are contained in the urine. Second: the disposal of urine without polluting drinking water. Like the Humanure book, this book makes the important point that the use of pure water to flush wastes away into the sewer system is a very poor use of very scarce resources. Highly recommend.

urine charge and urine good hands with this book

This little gem of a book is both an informative source of about all things urine - including interesting historical attitudes and uses as well as modern environmental aspects - in addition to being a very fun read due to the amusing diagrams and sharp prose. Both the professional wastewater expert and the casual nature lover will find much knowledge and enjoyment in these pages. Because of this, Liquid Gold would be the perfect "stocking stuffer" gift for the environmentalist in your house this upcoming holiday season!