Product Description
Every day, we urinate nutrients that can fertilize plants that could be used for beautiful landscapes, food, fuel, and fiber. Instead, these nutrients are flushed away, either to be treated at high cost or discharged to waters where they overfertilize and choke off aquatic life. Liquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants tells you how urine—which contains most of the nutrients in domestic wastewater and usually carries no disease risk—can be utilized as a resource. Starting with a short history of urine use—from ritual to medicinal to even culinary—and a look at some unexpected urinals, Liquid Gold shows how urine is used worldwide to grow food and landscapes, while protecting the environment, saving its users the cost of fertilizer, and reconnecting people to the land and the nutrient cycles that sustain them. That's real flower power! Liquid Gold details three ways to use urine hygienically and productively for plant growth, with studies that show the science behind this practice. Several advocates of urine diversion and their gardens are profiled, demonstrating that using urine for fertilizer is a feasible, safe, and cost-saving way to prevent pollution and save on fertilizer costs. Whimsical drawings by Malcolm Wells (world-renowned architect, artist, and author of several books, including The Earth-Sheltered Home, Classic Architectural Birdhouses, Recovering America, InfraStructures, and How to Build an Underground House) throughout the book make this a must for every bathroom library, a great gift for gardeners (and anyone who urinates), and an enlightening problem-solver for environmental planners dealing with the nutrient pollution of water.

CUSTOMER REVIEWS (Average Customer Rating: 4.5 based on 9 reviews)

Great Book by George Kelly (Eau Claire, MI)

4 Stars
November 07, 2009
I really like this book. What a great way to save money all around. I dilute the urine and use it for house plants. I use it undiluted on my leave compost pile. Thanks...George KellyLiquid Gold: The Lore and Logic of Using Urine to Grow Plants

An overlooked benefit by Charles Glenn (CA., CA USA)

4 Stars
June 07, 2009
A very practical and simple way to save water and benefit the environment.Hopefully this practice will be widely acceptable in the future.

Interesting, Just what the subtitle says by Valiant S. Vetter (Wilmette, Illinois United States)

4 Stars
May 08, 2009
Though I had heard of this book years ago, I finally got a copy of it just a few days ago. I think I was expecting "more" - but then again - I had just finished reading "The Humanure Handbook" by Joseph Jenkins, and was expecting a similar treatment of the subject. Steinfeld makes all the right points and does so in an interesting manner, but her method is more one of presenting possibilities than one of presenting a plan. It seems as though she is "reporting" - showing us pictures and descriptions of how folks have used urine. She doesn't seem to have a "passion" for the subject - something that people who do things radically different from others generally need to see the project through. Steinfeld is also diametrically opposed to Jenkins on best methods: She suggests separating and using the urine separately while "disposing" of the solid waste material by conventional methods. Jenkins is quite adamant about collecting and using liquids and solids together and recycling them both - a much more ecological and economically-sensible suggestion. (I'd LOVE to see these two authors review each others books!) I would still recommend this book for folks with a couple of *extra* dollars to spend or those just interested in learning how people past and present use urine. For those interested in shouldering the greater responsibility of properly, safely, and beneficially recycling their ALL of their "waste" I would suggest "The Humanure Handbook" instead. In all fairness and to Steinfeld's credit, "The lore and logic of using urine to grow plants" is an accurate description of this book's scope.

Excellent source of Information by CherokeeRox (Cosby, TN)

5 Stars
January 07, 2009
I live in a rural area, have no running water or septic. I use two Luggable Loo Seat Cover one for liquid, one for solid waste and compost both. This little book is a terrific source of information and inspiration.Lots of history and facts and a few laughs. I write about my adventures at persimmonglen dot com.

Just Pee On It!!! by Thomas A. Majors (JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA)

5 Stars
September 18, 2008
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!!!

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