The Best Plant Food for My Garden

Organic Compost

• Recycle kitchen waste by starting a garden compost pile. You can start a commercial compost bin or simply a pile organic material in a corner of the garden. Add vegetable peels, fruit rinds, egg shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, shredded paper and cardboard. Garden clippings, leaves, straw, untreated sawdust, wood chips and shredded newspaper can be added. Turn the compost pile over monthly during warm weather. Water well. Compost is ready to use when it has fully decomposed -- presenting as crumbly and dark with a strong, "earthy" odor. Add generous amounts to garden soil and cultivate well. Composed of totally organic materials, compost adds useful micro-organisms and vital nutrients to garden soil.

Herbivore Manure

• Well-aged herbivore manure (sheep, cow, goat, lama, horse) is an excellent amendment to garden soil. Rich in minerals and nutrients required for plant growth, aged manure can be sprinkled around the base of garden plants monthly. Water well. A beneficial tonic can be made by placing a shovelful on manure in a 5-gallon bucket. Add 1 cup molasses and a few handfuls of leaves or grass clippings. Fill the bucket with water and cover with a tight fitting lid. Place the bucket in a sunny spot and leave it alone for six to eight weeks. Strain the liquid and store in a sealed container. To use, mix 1 part manure tea with 6 parts of water. Use in a sprinkler can or the mixture can be sprayed on garden plants. Apply solids left over from straining the tea, around the base of plants. Although manure is malodorous, it is one of the best organic plant foods available.

Fish Emulsion

• Fish emulsion or fish fertilizer is a naturally derived organic fertilizer that promotes plant growth. Organic commercial fish emulsion or meal is available for purchase from home and garden centers or you can make your own. To make your own fish fertilizer, place 5 lbs. of fish entrails and scraps in a 5-gallon bucket. Cover with water. Add 1/2 cup of molasses. Cover the bucket with a tight-fitting lid and place in a location in full sun. Allow the mixture to age and ferment for six to eight weeks. Dilute the mixture with 8 parts of water. Use in a watering can and water around the base of garden plants.

Worm Castings

• Start a worm bin or purchase worm castings online or from plant nurseries or home and garden stores. Natural and organic, worm casting are rich in nitrogen and minerals required for plant development. Worms raised in household bins help recycle kitchen waste. They thrive on coffee grounds, vegetable peels and melon rinds. Sprinkle worm castings around the base of garden plants and water deeply.