Tulips.

LSU AgCenter horticulture specialist Dan Gill is the expert behind the Get It Growing program, which includes radio and television spots and weekly newspaper columns. (Photo by Bobby Soileau)

Foxglove.

Spring is just around the corner. And now is the time to plan for a beautiful yard and productive garden. Whether you’re a veteran gardener or one who’s never dug in the dirt before, the LSU AgCenter has information to help you grow flowers, vegetables, fruits and improve the looks of your lawn and home landscaping. We offer this information in a variety of ways – in publications (online and hard copy) and through newspaper, radio and television services – and at spring garden shows.

Here is a list of spring garden shows sponsored by the LSU AgCenter:

The 2009 Hammond Spring Garden Day will be March 14, at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station at 21549 Old Covington Hwy. (Hwy. 1067 just off Hwy. 190) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Beginning at 9:30, LSU AgCenter faculty members and Master Gardeners will present a series of presentations on backyard composting, rain-barrel gardening, gardens after tree loss, new landscape plants and square-foot gardening. The show will include LSU AgCenter recommendations on gardening and related topics and feature garden products and services available in the area. Guided walking tours of the Hammond Research Station at 10 a.m. and at noon will feature some of the ongoing research at the station. The show is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter and the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners Association. Visitors are asked to bring nonperishable food items to donate to a food drive to benefit the Tangi Food Pantry. Admission to the event is $5 per vehicle. For more information, contact Sandra Benjamin at (985) 748-9381 or sbenjamin@agcenter.lsu.edu.

The Northshore Spring Garden Show and Plant Sale will be March 21-22 in the Bobby Fletcher Agriculture Center at the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds in Covington. This annual event is sponsored by the St. Tammany Parish Master Gardeners and will features plant and garden supplies for sale, a plant health clinic and children's activities. LSU AgCenter specialists and Master Gardeners will offer seminars on native plants, lawns, landscaping, working with worms, bees and other gardening topics. The show will be from 9 a.m.– 4 p.m. each day. Admission good for both days is $3 per person, and children 12 and under can enter free. For more information, contact Rusty Batty at (985) 875-2635 or rbatty@agcenter.lsu.edu. 

The seventh annual Baton Rouge Spring Garden Show will be March 21-22 in Parker Coliseum on Highland Road from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. each day. David Himelrick, LSU AgCenter professor of horticulture, said the floor of the coliseum will be “transformed into a fascinating world of plants and gardens.” Local garden societies also will be on hand with information about their specialties and plants for sale. Representatives from the LSU AgCenter will conduct a plant health clinic to help gardeners diagnose plant pest and health problems and answer garden questions. Other faculty members will give one-hour talks during the day. Children’s activities will include planting seeds, playing with insects and learning about animals, and the Kiwanis Club will again sponsor a chili cook-off on Saturday at the 4-H Mini Farm adjacent to Parker Coliseum. Admission to the show is $5 for ages 13 and over. Children 12 and under are admitted free.

The 10th annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival in Lake Charles will be March 28-29 at Burton Coliseum at 7001 Gulf Highway.The event will include a plant health clinic with LSU AgCenter experts. Master Gardeners will be available to answer gardening questions. Guest speakers will present informative sessions on a variety of gardening topics. Festival hours are 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Saturday, and Sunday, 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Admission is $2, and it’s free for ages 12 and younger. Proceeds will benefit the Calcasieu Parish 4-H program. For more information go to www.gardenfest.org.

The 2009 Spring Garden Show in New Orleans will be at the City Park Botanical Garden April 4-5. The show will be open from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Exhibits and sales booths will be featured throughout the garden. Speakers will make presentations on a wide variety of gardening topics, and LSU AgCenter specialists will answer questions relating to tree and plant health. The New Orleans Spring Garden Show is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter in cooperation with the Metro Horticulture Foundation and the New Orleans Botanical Garden. Admission is $6 for ages 13 and over. Admission is $2 for children ages 5-12. Children under 5 and members of Friends of City Park may enter free. For more information, contact Brent Jeansonne at (504) 838-1170 or bjeansonne@agcenter.lsu.edu.

The 2009 Bonne Terre Garden Fair will be May 2 at Southdown Plantation, 1208 Museum Drive in Houma. Gates will open at 8:30 a.m., and the show will last until 4 p.m. The event will include vendors with plants, supplies and lawn and garden merchandise. The program will include educational speakers and demonstrations. Admission is $3 for ages 13 and over. Children under 12 are admitted free. For more information, contact Barton Joffrion at (985) 873-6495 or bjoffrion@agcenter.lsu.edu.

Get It Growing Campaign
We also offer this educational information through our Get It Growing campaign. This involves a weekly 60-second television spot, daily (Monday through Friday) 60-second radio spots and weekly newspaper columns.

• Alexandria – KALB-TV – Wednesday during the noon to 12:30 p.m. news program
• Baton Rouge – WAFB-TV – Saturday as part of morning show (about 8:30 a.m.)
• Lake Charles – KPLC-TV – Thursday or Friday on the morning show
• Monroe – KNOE-TV – once a week (day varies) during “Good Morning, Ark-La-Miss,” which runs from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m.
• Morgan City – KWBJ-TV – every Monday at 6:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
• Opelousas – KDCG –TV – Friday, 6:30 p.m. “Acadiana Today” (re-airs Saturday at 10 a.m.)

We also videostream these spots on our Web site. So, if you miss them on television, you can go to Get It Growing and watch the spots on your computer.

The radio spots are equally as informative. They can be heard on radio stations across the state and on the Louisiana Network.

The newspaper columns provide more in-depth information on topics such as planning for colorful summer gardens, using ground covers and adding irises to your landscape. Thirty-four Louisiana newspapers use them weekly. If you’d like your local paper to carry them, give the editor a call. The columns are sent free as an e-mail service to anyone who wants them. If you collect all of the columns, you’ll have a comprehensive guide to gardening in Louisiana.

The LSU AgCenter is one of 11 institutions of higher education in the Louisiana State University System. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, it provides educational services in every parish and conducts research that contributes to the economic development of the state. The LSU AgCenter does not grant degrees nor benefit from tuition increases. The LSU AgCenter plays an integral role in supporting agricultural industries, enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.

(This AgCenter Lead was updated on March 4, 2009, by Linda Benedict.)