Tropical patio plants, native perennials, trees, shrubs, bamboos, orchids, and ornamental grasses are among the offerings that will be available for purchase during the 12th annual Bloomin’ Zoo Garden Festival.  The Zoo’s Botanical Department has been busy growing and preparing these unique items for the festival that is taking place from 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday, May 4 and 5. 

Termites are already swarming in places in the tri-state, according to Larry Caplan, Extension Horticulture Educator for the Purdue Extension Service in Vanderburgh County.

“What we’re seeing are the reproductive adults looking for a new place to set up a nest.  If you see them somewhere outside your home, you may have an infestation in a nearby dead or dying tree, or in your home; however, they could have just flown in from somewhere else,” Caplan writes in his latest newsletter.  “A quick spray of any insecticide labeled for use outdoors or around the foundation will kill off these swarmers.”

Now halfway through the official winter heating season of November through March, significantly lower natural gas prices have, thus far, helped ease winter bills for Vectren customers. However, given the bitter cold January we are now experiencing, customers should be mindful of ways to use energy wisely through free and low-cost energy efficiency tips.

Energy efficiency tips:

• Set the thermostat on 68 degrees or lower. Plus, for every 1 degree you lower the thermostat for a sustained, eight-hour period, you could see an additional 1 to 3 percent in savings.
• Open your curtains during the day to let in the sun. Using the sun’s heat can save up to 2 percent in heating costs.