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   Get It Growing
 Home>Communications>News>Get It Growing>
LSU AgCenter Communications produces a special service called “Get It Growing” aimed at people who want to improve their landscapes, grow flowers and ornamentals or grow vegetables and fruit. This service includes a weekly newspaper column written by horticulturist Dan Gill, a daily (Monday through Friday) 60-second radio spot voiced by Gill, and a weekly 90-second television spot featuring Gill. The newspaper columns are sent via e-mail once a month to a subscriber list.

Read More features the newspaper columns.                      

See More contains the 90-second TV spots.

Hear More includes the 60-second radio spots.

In addition, the radio and television spots are available as podcasts. Users can subscribe to the podcast service to receive the daily or weekly programs in their iTunes or comparable program.

For more information about the Get It Growing service and the podcasts, please contact Tobie Blanchard at (225) 578-5649.


Get informed about proper fruit tree pruning
(Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana gardeners grow a variety of fruit trees in their landscapes. February is a good time to prune these, but different fruit trees require different types of pruning. Hear more about how you can obtain information on pruning fruit trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Soil content affects hydrangea color
(Audio 02/08/10) Many people know that hydrangeas can change color, but most do not understand what causes this color change. Different pH levels and the availability of aluminum ions in the soil cause the plant to produce different color blossoms. Discover which factors determine which hydrangea colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Plant bare-root roses before blooming season
(Audio 02/08/10) Although bare-root plants are not typically found anymore, gardeners can still purchase bare-root roses. These must be planted before the end of February while they are still dormant to ensure the best quality roses. Listen to hear more conditions required for successfully growing bare-root roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

February still ideal for planting trees
(Audio 02/08/10) Louisiana celebrates Arbor Day in January, but February also is a great time to plant new trees in your landscape. Planting trees this time of the year allows the plant to settle into its environment before the heat of spring and summer. Here are some tips on how to properly plant a tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

Add colorful shade-tolerant plants to winter landscape
(Audio 02/08/10) Some gardeners are not aware that there are a number of beautiful cool-season bedding plants that can thrive in shady locations. Learn which bedding plants are the most shade-tolerant while surviving winter temperatures. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Be ready for late-winter and early-spring lawn care
(For Release On Or After 02/26/10) Although our lawns are still dormant this month, you can begin now to plan your strategy to have an attractive, healthy lawn this summer. Since the grass is still dormant, most lawns look relatively bad, so don’t judge yours too harshly at this point.
It’s time to plant glads
(For Release On Or After 02/19/10) The tall flower spikes of gladiolus add elegance to the flower garden. Derived from species native to South Africa, the modern hybrid gladiolus grows from a corm and has been a favorite of Southern gardeners for generations.
February can be a rainy month in the garden
(For Release On Or After 02/12/10) February weather often includes heavy and frequent rain, which reminds us that Louisiana has a relatively wet climate. Periods of drought certainly do occur, especially during the hot months of summer. But it is important for gardeners to realize that plant selection and the gardening techniques we use are largely influenced by the generous amount of annual rainfall we receive.
Prune roses in early February
(For Release On Or After 02/05/10) Early February is an excellent time to cut back roses growing in your landscape. Hybrid tea and grandiflora roses, in particular, should be pruned around this time every year. Otherwise, these roses tend to become leggy, less vigorous and unattractive and do not bloom as well.
Add gorgeous cane begonias to landscape
Cane Begonia
(Video 02/08/10) It’s a delicate plant, but beautiful and diverse -- coming in leaf colors of green, purple, silver and burgundy. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to the world of the lovely cane begonia on this edition of Get It Growing. (Runtime: 1:44)
Maintain balance of hardy and tropical plants
Cold Hardy Plants
(Video 02/01/10) Many yards look brown and dead after cold temperatures damaged tropical plants. On this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains that although people are upset with dead or dying tropicals, it’s important for them to find the right balance of tropicals and hardy plants when planting in their landscapes. (Runtime: 1:44)
Tiny indoor pests become big nuisance
(Audio 02/01/10) Although it is encouraged to move potted plants indoors during the cold winter months, people should be wary of the pests these plants may bring with them. Learn how to prevent indoor pests, such as spider mites, from spreading and causing damage to your plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Cold weather damages tropical plants
(Audio 02/01/10) Louisiana experienced below freezing temperatures in early January which damaged tropical plants. Some tropicals should be cut back to the ground, while some should only be pruned mildly or sometimes not at all. Hear more to decide action to take with your tropical plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Pruning roses promotes good development
(Audio 02/01/10) Pruning roses this time of the year benefits the plant by controlling its size, making the bush shapelier and encouraging more flower growth. Learn which varieties of roses require heavier pruning. (Runtime: 60 seconds)
Get It Growing
2010 Get It Growing Calendar