by Audra C.

Created on: February 26, 2007   Last Updated: April 21, 2007

Here are a couple of simple tips to keep your indoor and outdoor plants healthy.
#1 Look closely for parasites! There are many little bugs that love to eat up your favorite plants! Scale is one good example, the insects live under a little hard shell that can be mistaken for part of the plant. They usually appear in groups. Other signs of parasites are cotton-like substance on the plant, or sticky residue. A simple way of killing the bugs without harming the plant is to mix a combination of water, dish-soap, and tobacco. Spray this on the plants and wipe them with a wet cloth. Check under the leaves too! These critters love to hide!

#2 Don't throw away your old coffee grounds! Coffee grounds are GREAT for the garden! They promote worm growth and activity which helps fertilize the soil.

#3 Be careful how you water! If the soil is dry and you water it too fast the water simply filters through and is not absorbed. If there is a dish underneath this can cause the roots to rot if they sit in standing water. Rather water slowly, fully saturating the soil, and empty the dish afterward.

#4 Water during the day! Watering plants at night, especially indoors can cause mold to begin to grow in the soil and upon the plant itself.

These simple tips will change the overall health of any plants!

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