There is something very powerful about being able to grow your own food.

My belief is that the country will come through these awful days following the attack of the World Trade Center just fine. However, knowing how to provide for yourself and your family is a skill that is easy to obtain and provides a little extra security during uncertain times.

Getting started means beginning at the bottom -- the soil. If you take the time and energy needed to prepare your soil properly, the growing process will be infinitely easier.

First, determine the sunniest spot in your yard, and eye the sight for problems. Is it close to water? It should be for ease of watering. Is it near bermuda grass? If it is, watch out. The bermuda grass will invade and ruin your efforts.

My suggestion is a plot 4 feet by 10 feet to begin. It's big enough to grow lot's of food and small enough to manage. As your skills grow, so will the size of your garden. By making the plot 4 feet wide, it enables your to reach across at least halfway while planting weeding, and harvesting.

Now it's time to dig. The process I believe works best is called double digging. First dig a one-foot square to the depth of a standard shovel. Remove the soil and place it to the side. Keep digging and moving the soil from each shovel full into the initial hole and then the following hole. Once you've loosened the soil in your plot, replace the intial soil wherever it's needed.

Next enrich the soil. The easiest and cheapest way is with compost. If you have your own compost pile, use it. If not, then buy compost at the garden center or take a pickup, a trash can, or whatever you can to the Miramar or Oceanside landfill and get your compost there. If you are a San Diego city resident, the compost is free at the Miramar sight. If not, it is still very cheap. I am not a city resident and fill my full sized pickup for $12.

For the plot size mentioned here, I'd suggest at least four average wheel barrow loads of compost dumped on top and then worked in to the ground. Double digging again is a good idea. It's easier this second time through.

Once the compost is worked in well, it's time to add fertilizer. My theory is to feed the soil -- not the plants. Healthy soil is alive with micro and macro organisms. They are, for the most part, your friends and will help you feed your family. I use an all purpose organic fertilzer which is available at all good garden centers. Adding fish meal on top of the all purpose fertilizer provides another little boost. Gently work it all into the soil and you are ready to plant.

It's September, and for most San Diegans, that means the beginning of our winter vegatable season. During the cool months, you can grow, broccolli, cauliflower, cabbage, artichokes, potatoes, spinach, lettuce, carrots, beets, turnips, brussel sprouts, collard greens, peas, onions and garlic. I'm sure I'm missing several, but you can learn what will do well by reading the back of seed packets or choosing only the vegatables available in small six packs at your favorite nursery.

On your first garden, you will be much happier if you stick to the six packs. Plants that have been started for you, are in most cases easier than starting from seed.

Place your young plants in the garden plot making certain to firm the soil around the plants at the same level as in the pack in which you brought your plant home. Finally, water your garden well and keep watering well everyday until the plants are well established. Then, water according to soil moisture at root depth.

By keeping a close eye on your project, you'll learn what your garden needs. Remember to feed your garden. The timing will depend on the fertilizer you use. Follow package instructions.

One final note ... baby veggies taste better than old tough ones. The biggest zucchini may look cool, but the little ones taste a heck of a lot better. Pick veggies early and learn at which stage you are most pleased with the flavor and texture.