Winter in the Pacific Northwest can get a little chilly. Learn more about a few ways you can save energy while keeping your home warm and cozy during the upcoming winter.
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Nesting Tips | August 2015
August Home Maintenance Tips
- Take advantage of pure solar energy and install an outdoor clothesline. Just make sure they're acceptable in your community, so you don't end up like this lady in Bend. (Oh, Mr. Colbert, how we miss you so.)
- Freshen up your bath and protect your home from moisture issues by checking and repairing grout in bathrooms. This tutorial shows how easy it is. Make all your tile look its very best with these green cleaning tips.
- The long daylight hours and dry weather make this a great time to check and repair window sealant. This how-to tells you how to spot damage, possible causes, how to fix it yourself, and when to bring in a professional.
August Garden Maintenance Tips
- Harvest fallen fruit and ripe vegetables and enjoy the bounty! What to do with your bumper crop of fruit? This video shows you how to bake them up, easy as pie.
- Enlist some help processing all those fruit and veggie scraps by starting a worm bin for composting. DIY versions are cheap and easy. Or you can opt for instant gratification and purchase a ready-made bin like this one.
- Keep your garden tidy and make use of those unwanted plants (aka weeds) by pulling them for mulch, they help feed the soil and retain moisture. Just make sure to harvest the weeds before they've gone to seed.
(These tips are not all-inclusive, but provide basic ways to preserve the health and value of your home for many years to come. We're open to your feedback and suggestions, and hope that you find these home maintenance tips as useful as we do!)
Nesting Tips | December 2014
We know it's difficult to keep up with home maintenance, especially with how busy our lives can get. Urban Nest wants to help make life a little simpler - by providing easy-to-execute tips for around the house and garden for each month of the year. These tips are not all-inclusive, but provide basic ways to preserve the health and value of your home for many years to come. We're open to your feedback and suggestions, and hope that you find these home maintenance tips as useful as we do!
December Home Maintenance Tips
- Check expiration dates on emergency kits, and replace items if necessary.
- Unpack and test all electrical holiday decorations.
- Clear fall leaves from your gutters to prevent rain water overflow from potential damage to your home
December Garden Maintenance Tips
- Put your garden "to bed" by adding a fresh layer of mulch. Just 2-3 inches will help keep your perennials warm through the winter.
- As long as there's no frost, all tree varieties can be pruned, and bulbs planted for perfect Spring blooms.
- Dispose of any remaining fruits or nuts on trees & on the ground - this will reduce pests & diseases for the following year!