If you have a cool, clean creek or stream nearby, you can grow watercress yourself; its roots naturalize easily in shallow water and limestone soil. If you don’t, plant seedlings in a small, permeable terra-cotta pot and set it in a plastic tray. Place in a semi-shaded area and keep the tray filled with clean water.

Mix ¼ cup of ammonia in 1 gallon of water and water the plant once a week. The mixture will infuse the plant’s soil with nitrogen, a staple in potting soils, thanks to its ability to encourage healthy plant growth. It will keep plants green and glossy.

If you have noticed a white or yellow powdery spot (a sign of fungus) on the soil of the house plants, try scooping away the moldy soil and replace it with fresh soil then sprinkle cinnamon onto the top layer. The spice serves as a natural fungicide to kill any remaining mold without harming the plants.

I discovered this combo 2 years ago when I planted my first garden. I mixed a large spray bottle with soapy water (I used Dawn) and misted all my plants and then sprinkled a layer of baby powder on it. I did this every night for the first week and then every other night and within 4 weeks, was only doing this once a week. Last year, I only had to do it a few times a week in the beginning to maybe once every couple of weeks. The pests learned from the previous year how icky the plants tasted and it cost me hardly anything and was safe for the environment and me. Plus my dog loved jalapenos and kept her from eating them as well.