Liquid castile soaps are the preferred choice of environmentalists because they’re made entirely from vegetable oil and are totally biodegradable, too. While castile soap is a great option for bathing and using around the house, it can be a bit trickier when it comes to washing pets. Most castile soaps use essential oils to give them a scent and often those oils are tea tree, lavender or peppermint. All three are toxic to small animals, especially cats. If you want to use castile soap to wash pets, use unscented. And remember: A little goes a long way.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Here’s another reason to consider growing native flowers in your own backyard: They are very easy to grow. Usually when planting a new garden, you have to take the time to weed, till and amend with organic fertilizer to make it rich and loamy. But the reality is native flowers -- plants that are indigenous to your growing region -- are adapted to regular soil. If you try to plant native flowers in soil that is too rich and fluffy, it actually can cause tall flowers to flop over.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

If you want an all-natural (and very effective) way to prevent invasive insects from killing your flowers, trees, bushes and vegetable garden this spring, look no further than neem oil. This botanical-based oil has a strong, pungent smell and repels insects, but also controls fungi and mites. It’s safe for birds and does not kill beneficial insects. You can find a large bottle of neem oil at your local home improvement store; just unscrew the cap and attach a spray nozzle, then spray away to protect your lovely garden the organic way.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION