2018 Spring Home & Garden
4
Spring Energy-Saving Tips
With the start of a new season comes a fresh opportunity to fi nd ways to save energy
and money.
The following tips from the U.S. Department of Energy can help.
1. Service your air conditioner. Easy maintenance, such as routinely replacing or clean-
ing air fi lters, can lower your cooling system’s energy consumption by up to 15 percent.
Also, the fi rst day of spring could serve as a reminder to check your air conditioner’s
evaporator coil, which should be cleaned annually to ensure the system is performing at
optimal levels.
2. Open windows. Opening
windows creates a cross-breeze,
allowing you to naturally cool
your home without switching on
air conditioners. This is an ideal
tactic in spring, when temperatures
are mild.
3. Use ceiling fans. Cooling your
home with ceiling fans will allow
you to raise your thermostat four
degrees. This can help lower your
electricity bills without sacrifi cing
overall comfort.
4. Cook outside. On warmer
spring days, keep the heat out of
your home by using an outdoor
grill instead of indoor ovens.
5. Install window treatments.
Energy-effi cient window treat-
ments or coverings, such as blinds,
shades and fi lms, can slash heat gain when temperatures rise. These devices not only
improve the look of your home but also reduce energy costs.
6. Caulk air leaks. Using low-cost caulk to seal cracks and openings in your home to
keep warm air out — and cash in your wallet.
7. Bring in sunlight. During daylight hours, switch off artifi cial lights and use windows
and skylights to brighten your home.
8. Set the thermostat. On warm days, setting a programmable thermostat to a higher
setting when you are not at home can help reduce your energy costs by approximately
10 percent.
9. Seal ducts. Air loss through ducts can lead to high electricity costs, accounting for
nearly 30 percent of a cooling system’s energy consumption. Sealing and insulating
ducts can go a long way toward lowering your electricity bills.
10. Switch on bathroom fans. Bathroom fans suck out heat and humidity from your
home, improving comfort.
Planting season in Oregon
According to Oregon State University, Cottage Grove falls into Zone
Two for planting in the Willamette Valley.
It offers 150- to 250-day season and is described as warm days, cool
nights; length of season may vary from year to year. Gardeners in
the Rogue and Willamette valleys enjoy an excellent climate for
gardening and a wide variety of fertile valley soils. Warm, sunny
weather in late spring, summer and early fall provides good growing
conditions with a minimum of garden plant diseases. Year-round
gardening is possible, with mild winters where temperatures seldom
drop below 20 degrees.
Pass Creek Nursery
STARTER PLANTS
Pansies and Violas $1.00
Annual 6-packs $2.95
Wave Petunia 6-packs $4.95
4” Trailing Petunias, Verbena,
Million Bells $2.75
5” Geraniums $2.95
5” Begonias $2.95
GARDEN STARTS
Vegetable 6-packs $2.75
4” Tomatoes and Peppers
$1.95
Seed Potatoes $1.00 per lb.
Onion Sets $2.50 per lb.
4” Strawberries $1.00
2 gal. Blueberries $9.95
COMBINATION BASKETS
AND PLANTERS
12” Hanging Baskets $24.95
16” Hanging Baskets $39.95
Large Patio Pots $28.95
Open Monday- Saturday 10am to 6pm (Closed Sunday)
2361 Umpqua Hwy 99 Drain, OR 97435 (541) 836-2699