News of the value of human urine as a compost activator usually provokes cries of disbelief and often horror from those new to the concept. But urine is virtually sterile, high in nitrogen and minerals, and there's no shortage of it around: what better way of saving water on toilet flushes and helping your compost break down? And certain male gardeners have assured me that it's quite liberating to make an al-fresco "delivery" to your composter once in a while.

Unless your compost heap is extremely well concealed from the rest of the human race, you may wish to consider collecting your "activator" in a (preferably opaque) plastic bottle to take down to the plot rather than adding it directly. If all this sounds, well, just too weird, you can grow nitrogen-rich comfrey or nettles to cut and add to the heap, and the end result will be exactly the same.

But I'd like to know: how many of you out there use urine as a compost activator? And do you let your visitors into your little secret before or after they've finished your delicious vegetables?

Or have you found another source of nitrogen that works for you? Come on now, don't be shy - share your compost tips ...