My camera has a foliage setting, I usually choose that mode so colors come out better, not bland or too washed out.
For close-ups, aside from using that macro setting, sometimes it works to step back then zoom to focus. Most of the time some go way too close, blurring the image more. If you step back a bit then zoom you can catch the image better. I also try to push the shutter button carefully halfway and see if what the camera actually sees in the viewfinder stays clear, if it goes blurred, then it is blurred. No amount of Picasa will clear it out.
