When it gets warmer outdoors, it’s a good idea to transfer indoor plants outside to take advantage of warm temperatures, rain and sunlight. But be sure to place them in a shady, protected spot for a few weeks first. The plants will have acclimated to the low-light, low-humidity environment found indoors, and moving them outdoors to bright sunlight and heavy rain can shock them. Letting them slowly adjust to their new environment will ensure they thrive outside all summer long.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Many of us use essential oils to concoct homemade beauty and cleaning products. But if you think all essential oils are totally natural, think again. If the words “naturally derived” are on the bottle, that doesn’t mean it’s totally plant-based. On the contrary, it means that the molecular structure of whatever flower or plant the oil is from was made in a laboratory. In other words, it’s artificial. Generally speaking, essential oils from inexpensive plants like peppermint and rosemary are usually all-natural, and both are good choices for whatever you’re making at home.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION

Got annoying fruit flies in the kitchen? Trap them with the help of an old banana peel. Simply take a large plastic container (like an empty quart-size yogurt container) and punch a few small holes in the lid using a nail and hammer. Then place the banana peel inside and seal it shut. The scent of rotting, sugary fruit will attract the flies, which will crawl through the holes and then be unable to get back out. After a few days, empty the peel and bugs into the compost and place the plastic container in the recycling bin.

ANDREWS MCMEEL SYNDICATION