December 23, 2002 News Releases
Released 12/23/02
ASK A SPECIALIST:
WHAT INDOOR PLANTS WILL HELP SPRUCE UP MY HOME THIS WINTER?
House plants soften the interior of a home and create interest
by inviting nature in. Other benefits include higher humidity,
added color and healthier air in the home.
Aromatic house plants can introduce new fragrances that help
bring a glimpse of spring into the home. They can also help
mask cooking and other odors, eliminating the need for air fresheners.
Consider these plants to help spruce up your home this winter.
• Scented geraniums. These are probably the most popular
fragrant house plant. They do not thrive indoors, but will stay
healthy if placed in a well-lit location. They also come in
a wide assortment of aromas. Among the most popular are lemon,
almond, pine tree, peppermint, orange, pineapple and even chocolate.
One of the drawbacks with some scented geraniums is that the
scent is weak. Some require that you rub the leaves to get a
strong whiff of the fragrance, which can be a problem since
most plants can only stand so much rubbing before they die.
The foliage of scented geraniums is what carries the pleasant
aroma. These geraniums need to dry out between watering and
should be fertilized only about once a month during the winter.
In the summer they can be moved outdoors to bloom.
• Gardenias. These are another blooming, aromatic house
plant. Gardenias require a sun room and do best in indirect
light. They can be a high maintenance plant since they need
to stay cool at night (55 to 60 degrees) in the winter. Lack
of light is the biggest problem with getting a gardenia to grow
and bloom indoors.
• Pink jasmine (Jasminum polyanthum), string of beads
(Senecio rowleyanus), wax flower (Stephanotis floribunda) and
wax plant (Hoya). These flowering plants may be easier to grow
in the house, though they all require special care. They bloom
better in indirect light in a sun room or other well-lit location.
They all should be allowed to slow down and rest during the
winter by reducing fertilization and keeping them somewhat cooler.
The Hoya, string of beads and wax flower are all vining plants
and can be trained up a wire or trellis or planted in a hanging
basket. The flowers have a sweet fragrance that can be smelled
throughout a small greenhouse or large room.
• Hyacinth. The common hyacinth (Hyacinthus orientalis)
can be planted in a pot and forced to bloom indoors during the
winter months. This plant also has a very sweet aroma that can
fill a room. After it has bloomed and the foliage has died back,
it can be planted outdoors and enjoyed for many springs to come.
Buy new bulbs each year for forcing indoors.
* To see other "Ask A Specialist" columns, visit
http//extension.usu.edu/publica/news/aska/
________
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-4900; 435-797-1392; julener@sunrem.com
ASK A SPECIALIST:
HOW CAN I REDUCE MY FUEL COSTS FOR WINTER DRIVING?
Fuel efficient driving is difficult to achieve during winter
months when weekly gasoline bills can increase by as much as
50 percent. The best way to reduce fuel consumption, of course,
is to drive fewer miles, but this isn't always possible. Those
who commute to and from work or take children to and from school
quickly master the techniques of combining trips, planning stops
for efficient travel and carpooling. Many people plan travel
routes to minimize delays caused by traffic congestion. These
strategies work well, and when combined with the following suggestions
can help reduce your weekly fuel bills.
• Have your engine tuned. A regularly maintained engine
runs more efficiently and is more dependable. Improperly serviced
engines waste fuel and can leave you stranded during cold, inconvenient
times.
• Purchase gasoline with the appropriate octane rating.
Follow the manufacturer's recommendations when selecting fuel.
If your car does not require a high-octane fuel, you can save
hundreds of dollars each year by purchasing the lowest octane
grade. If your engine does not knock or ping when a lower octane
fuel is used, change your buying habits and pocket the money.
• Inflate tires to the correct pressure. Cold temperatures
decrease the air pressure in tires, which in turn increases
tire rolling resistance and wear. Tires should be inflated to
the pressure recommended by the manufacturer. Regular tire balancing,
alignment and rotation are important. When selecting new tires,
keep in mind that radial designs provide better fuel efficiency.
• Remove unnecessary weight from the vehicle. Gas mileage
decreases a mile or more per gallon for each 300 pounds of additional
weight. A spare tire, equipment to change a tire, a few important
car repair tools, a shovel and basic cold weather emergency
supplies (including a cellular telephone) are necessary. But
removing that 400 pound toolbox from the trunk will lower your
fuel costs. Also, snow and ice add both weight and wind resistance
to vehicles and should be removed for improved fuel economy.
• Slow down and reduce your fuel consumption. At speeds
greater than 40 mph, your car's engine must overcome significant
wind resistance. Traveling at 55 mph rather than 70 mph can
result in approximately 20 percent in fuel savings.
• Drive with fuel economy in mind. Those who embrace
a "zero-to-sixty attitude" are first in line at the
next stoplight, but pay for this in higher fuel costs and more
repair bills. When you accelerate slowly and avoid unnecessary
braking you are rewarded with fuel savings and less frequent
tire and brake replacements. Fuel economy is directly related
to conservative driving techniques.
• Remove the roof rack when it is not in use. Roof mounted
skis and racks reduce a vehicle's aerodynamics. Weekend skiers
who use their cars for commuting during the week will improve
fuel economy by removing skis and racks when the equipment is
not being used.
• Pay cash if credit costs more. Some service stations
sell fuel at a lower price when customers pay cash. Take advantage
of this.
• Don't waste fuel warming your engine. Engine warmups
require one minute. Waiting more than one minute to warm your
engine on cold mornings is not necessary and wastes fuel. One
minute of idling for passenger cars burns as much fuel as starting
the engine. An engine block heater is recommended if cold temperatures
reach the negative teens, but a timer should be used so the
engine is only heated for a couple of hours prior to operation.
• Don't melt ice and snow with your car. If your car
cannot be parked in a garage or shelter, use a combination of
sweeping, scrapping and defrost heat. Allowing the car's engine
to do all the work may be convenient, but it is expensive. Also,
police caution that an unattended, unlocked idling automobile
is both attractive and convenient for joy riders or car thieves,
not to mention it presents danger.
• Resist the convenience of the drive through. For those
who regularly use a drive through, the best choice is to park
the car and go into the restaurant or business rather than sit
in the car and allow the engine to idle. An average of five
to twenty minutes of fuel is consumed each time the drive through
is used. This is an unnecessary waste of fuel.
• The easiest way to reduce winter fuel costs is to drive
fewer miles. Replace that regular weekend outing or out-of-town
shopping excursion with an activity close to home. If rising
gasoline prices present a problem, consider purchasing an energy
efficient car for long term fuel savings and overall economy
on a per mile basis.
* To see other "Ask A Specialist" columns, visit
http//extension.usu.edu/publica/news/aska/
Direct column topics to Julene Reese, Utah State University
Extension, Logan, UT 84322-4900; 435-797-1392; julener@sunrem.com
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