"Feed the soil, and the soil will feed your plants.

That's one of the basic tenets of organic gardening.

In most cases, an annual application of rich compost or well-aged manure will provide enough nutrients and organic matter to sustain your plants all through the growing season.

Even so, your garden will probably need a quick pick-me-up from time to time.

That doesn't mean that you have to run out to the garden center and drop some cash on an expensive fertilizer.

Chances are you have the ingredients for making your own inexpensive, earth-friendly plant food right at hand."