This Enclore azalea is Autumn Lilac. (Photo by Allen Owings) Carefree Celebration is a landscape shrub rose that works well in Louisiana landscapes. (Photo by Allen Owings) The Frostproof gardenia is the best variety for landscape use in Louisiana. (Photo by Allen Owings) Get ready for spring gardening by attending one of the LSU AgCenter-sponsored shows. Experts will be at all the shows giving advice, making presentations and answering your questions. Here is a schedule:
March 15-16, Covington
The LSU AgCenter and the St. Tammany Master Gardeners will hold their annual Northshore Garden Show and Plant Sale March 15-16 at the St. Tammany Fairgrounds in Covington.
The show will feature free plant and gardening information by local Master Gardeners, hourly presentations by horticulture experts, more than 35 exhibitor booths, children’s activities and food concessions, said Rusty Batty, LSU AgCenter county agent.
Gates will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. Admission is $3 for adults. Children under 12 may enter free.
The event will be held under a pavilion, so weather will not be a problem. Parking is free.
For additional information, contact Batty at 985-875-2635.
March 22-23, Lake Charles
The 14th annual Southwest Louisiana Garden Festival will be held March 22-23 at Burton Coliseum.
The festival opens a 9 a.m., and ends at 5 p.m. both days. Admission is $3, and children age 12 and younger are free.
"The garden festival is a wholesome, educational environment and the perfect activity to bring together friends and families," said LSU AgCenter horticulturist Robert Turley.
The Federated Garden Clubs of Southwest Louisiana will have a flower show. Vendors will have garden-related products for sale, and LSU AgCenter experts will be available to diagnose plant problems and answer questions. Also, 4-H Club members will be available for a fee to help haul plants to vehicles.
Master Gardeners will present a preview party, gumbo supper and silent auction on March 21 at 6 p.m. in the Chalkley Room of Burton Coliseum. Tickets are $10 and can be obtained from the LSU AgCenter Extension Office adjacent to the Burton Coliseum parking lot.
For more information, contact Turley at 337-475-8812.
April 6-7, New Orleans
The New Orleans 2012 Spring Garden Show will be held at the City Park Botanical Garden on April 6-7 from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. each day.
Master Gardeners and LSU AgCenter horticulture experts will be available to answer questions from homeowners, who also may bring soil samples for analysis by the LSU AgCenter's Soil Testing Lab. The cost for each one-pint soil sample is $10, payable by check or money order.
As with past shows, exhibits and sales booths will be featured throughout the garden. And 4-H members will be helping in the kids’ discovery area.
Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children ages five-12. Children under five and members of Friends of City Park may enter for free.
The New Orleans Spring Garden Show is sponsored by the LSU AgCenter in cooperation with the Metro Area Horticulture Foundation and the New Orleans Botanical Garden.
More information about the spring garden show is available from LSU AgCenter horticulture agents Andrew Loyd at 504-483-9471 and J.B. Anders at 504-736-6519.
May 4, Houma
The TARC Garden and Market Festival in Houma will be held May 4 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the TARC-Houma Airbase.
The event will feature speakers; educational displays; plant, lawn and garden vendors; live entertainment; concessions and the Ask the Experts booth with LSU horticulture specialists.
Admission is $3 at the gate, and children under five enter free.
More information about the spring garden and market festival is available from Barton Joffrion at 985-873-6495.
The LSU AgCenter is one of 10 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, protecting the environment, and improving the quality of life through its 4-H youth, family and community programs.