2020 Spring Home & Garden
3
Prepare Wildlife Attractions
An exciting aspect of spring is the return of wildlife
to your backyard. Flocks of birds and hungry squirrels
will likely fi nd a new place to call home throughout the
neighborhood.
Welcome their friendly chatter by rewarding them with a
favorite meal or birdbath to ensure they continue to make
an appearance.
If your goal is to create a homestead that invites animals
to feel safe and fi nd a bite to eat, keep in mind that wild-
life is to be respected. Make sure to remind children that
wild animals are not obedient like their favorite pets and
may become dangerous if they feel threatened. Watching
and learning about these animals from a distance is a
wholesome way to spend spring with your family.
Building a safe and attractive haven for animals to fl ock
may not happen overnight, but by following these tips,
your backyard will become an entertaining place for
beautiful wildlife.
Water Sources
One of the most popular water sources we can offer
animals is an attractive birdbath. Follow these tips from
Cornell University to discover how to place it for the
most impact.
Birds prefer baths that are low to the ground and located
near shady areas.
Use stones or branches to line edges of the water so birds
have a place to stand while drinking.
Water should be no deeper than one inch at the edges and
two inches in the middle.
For a more enticing atmosphere, include
dripping water to attract more wildlife.
Don’t forget to regularly clean the bird-
bath as its occupants will likely leave
behind seeds, droppings and feathers.
be surprised to fi nd animals like squirrels or deer visiting
your yard to fi nish up the food that was knocked to the
ground by hungry birds.
Feeders
When considering which types of feeders
to install, think of the wildlife you are
trying to attract. If a colorful variety of
birds is your intention, try to use several
boxes that offer them different ways to
eat. Some animals prefer to dine while
perching, so a hanging feeder with posts
will be more attractive. Other less-picky
eaters will be fi ne with eating from a
platform or suet style option.
Try to incorporate different types of seeds
throughout your yard to learn what your
local species are most interested in. Don’t
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
SPRING Home & Garden
May7, 2020
4
2020 Spring Home & Garden
Prepare Soil for
a Spring Garden
While growing fruits and vegetables is a rewarding experience, a blooming display in your
backyard can give you a sense of pride each time you step outside. Achieving a beautiful
garden requires proper preparation and sometimes a few seasons before it’s fully estab-
lished.
If you’re unsure about which bulbs or seeds will thrive in your area, refer to the USDA
Plant Hardiness Zone Map to discover new and exciting options. You can also learn lessons
by visiting your local nursery and speaking with their experts. It’s likely their fl owers and
plants are region-specifi c to your area but check with them about special orders if you have
another plant in mind.
Prepare Soil for a New Garden
Once you have chosen the size and location of your ornamental garden, you should prepare
the soil to promote your plants with nutritious benefi ts. Here are some tips from the U.S.
Department of Agriculture to get you started.
• Conduct a soil test to determine existing texture, nutrients and pH levels. Check your local
area for an expert who can decipher the results and create a solution to the problem.
• If you’re tilling a new area of land, ensure the soil is dry as disrupting wet soil can destroy
its structure.
• Include organic matter to improve soil drainage and texture.
• For best results, ensure the soil is rich before introducing plants or bulbs.
Wake Up an Existing Garden
Early spring planning will provide your gardens with bountiful blossoms and a stunning
display of color. Start by spring cleaning the entire area of dead leaves and other debris left
behind by fall and winter. If you pick up clumps of soil and it easily crumbles, it’s a good
sign that freezing and ice threats are gone, and you are safe to add compost to your dirt
without affecting dormant bulbs.
Gently loosen the top layer of soil to remove rocks and inspect for intrusions from things
like roots or pests. During this stage, you should consider working in nutrient-dense materi-
als like manure, or pre-mixed options from your local nursery to the existing dirt.
You will also need to eradicate weeds as they will commonly become a nuisance once the
weather warms. It’s good practice to make sure your garden’s edges are in good condition
and effective at keeping grass from emerging into the your ornamental bed.
Beautiful plants abound
at Pass Creek Nursery
P
ass Creek Nursery is located at 2361
Umpqua Highway 99, 3 miles off I-5
(exit 162) on the way to Drain, Oregon.
Bob Nash bought the nursery in 1971
from Vern Thomas and ran
it for 25 years. The business
passed through several own-
ers after Bob retired. In 2009
the nursery was sitting vacant
and Travis Nash decided to
try running the business with
his family after 30 years of
being a logger. With a lot of
advice from his parents and a LOT of
hard work, they made it through the fi rst
year and decided to try it again, and now
they are starting on their eighth season.
The nursery has been in the Nash family
for three generations. Grandparents Bob
and Emily Nash still come by from time
to time to check up on what's happening.
The nursery is open from the fi rst of
March to the Fourth of July. Their goal is
provide healthy, vigorous plants for the
garden and yard at reasonable prices with
friendly, honest customer service. They
grow most of the plants
that we sell at their nursery.
Hanging baskets and patio
pots are a specialty. They
custom design all of our
baskets and patio pots.
Pass Creek Nursery has a
full line of vegetable plants
for the garden. They also
carry a nice selection of fertilizers and
insect sprays.
Pass Creek Nursery is open Monday
through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
They are closed Sundays. For more
information call us at 541-836-2699, or
come on by and see what they have to
offer for your gardening needs.
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& SON
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541-942-0500
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