(Video 02/18/08) Now is the time to get some of your flowering plants into their flower beds. In this edition of Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gives you some good choices of hardy annuals for your cool-season garden. (Runtime 1 minute, 33 seconds)

(Audio 10/15/07) Gardeners can manipulate the color of their hydrangeas by making an addition to the soil this month. Acid soils produce blue plants and alkaline soils produce pink flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/15/07) Wisteria is an outstanding flowering vine for Louisiana landscapes. It spreads easily, so be sure to keep it under control. A common problem with wisteria is that it can take several years to bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/08/07) Persimmon trees are easy to grow in Louisiana landscapes. This fruit tree produces seedless fruit and doesn't need pollination. The fruit of most varieties must be soft before it can be eaten. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/08/07) Many gardeners move their houseplants outside during the summer. As the weather cools, tropical plants will have to come back indoors. Before making the move, they need to acclimate to low-light conditions. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/08/07) Save the seeds from plants such as annuals and perennials, and don't harvest the seeds too early. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/08/07) Harvest season for strawberries is in the spring, but now is the time to plant them in your garden. Make sure the beds are well-prepared and raised. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/07/08) Sweet peas are outstanding flowering vines. Their color and fragrance make a great addition to our landscape. Sweet peas will bloom in the spring, but now is the time to plant the vines. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 10/01/07) Lycoris radiata goes by a variety of common names: Hurricane lily, spider lily and naked ladies. This plant requires patience because it may take three years to start blooming. (Runtime: 1 minute, 27 seconds)

(Audio 10/01/07) We start thinking of the holidays this time of the year. There are a lot items in nature that can decorate up your home for fall. Look for things such as seed pods, dried flower heads and pine cones. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/01/07) Roses in Louisiana bloom beautifully in October and November. If your roses were pruned back in August or September, there is not much pruning needed now. You will need to deadhead your roses after they fade. This keeps the rose bush looking fresh and attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/01/07) Many great vegetables can be planted this time of the year. Transplants of broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower are available at local nurseries. Root crops can be direct-seeded into the garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/01/07) Gardeners can plant a wide variety of herbs in their gardens this time of the year. A few plants provide a big harvest, so there is no need to plant more than you can use. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 10/01/07) Brown patch is a fungal infection that affects lawn grasses, especially St. Augustine. It likes cool, mild and damp weather conditions. Watch for discolored areas in the lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/24/07) Garlic is critical to Louisiana cuisine. It is easy to grow, and now is the time to plant it. Choose a well-prepared bed in a sunny area with good drainage. Garlic can be planted through the month of October and into early November. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/24/07) Louisiana irises are dormant during the months of August, September and early October. If you have irises that need to be divided, get that done soon. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/24/07) It is still too hot to plant trees, but planting season is right around the corner. Now is a good time to look around for needed shade in your lawn and make plans for fall plantings. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/24/07) Mid-to-late September is a great time to plant cole crops into your vegetable garden. Cole crops are the group of vegetables closely related to cabbage. (Runtime: 1 minute, 28 seconds)

(Audio 09/24/07) Azalea lace bugs are small flying insects that live on the underside of the leaves. Small white spots on the leaf indicate an infestation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/17/07) Louisiana gardeners can compost every bit of organic debris their landscapes create. This includes leaves in the fall and grass clippings in the summer. Gardeners can create their own compost pile using simple materials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/17/07) Many gardeners move container plants outside for the summer. After a summer of abundant growth outdoors, plants may have outgrown their containers. Look for roots growing out of drainage holes or showing up on the soil. These plants will benefit from being repotted into a larger container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/17/07) Caladiums are a wonderful shade-tolerant summer bedding plant. They are reaching the end of their growing season, and gardeners should dig up the tubers before all the foliage falls off. The tubers need to be dried and stored in paper bags or cardboard boxes inside during the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/17/07) Many types of azaleas will bloom in late summer and fall. Encore azaleas were bred in Louisiana, are well-adapted to our growing conditions and bloom without fail in the fall. This is a good time to plant them into your landscape, and you can pick out your plants while they are in bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/17/07) September and October are transitional times in Louisiana landscapes. Days become milder, and summer rain showers began to slow down. This means watering will likely be necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/17/07) Blue flowers are relatively rare in the plant world. That’s why plumbago's blue flowers are so precious. Plumbago is an outstanding workhorse in the summer landscape. It’s actually a shrubby-looking plant, but when you examine at the stems, you’ll see they’re very green and herbaceous. (Runtime: 1 minutre, 30 seconds)

(Audio 09/10/07) Mulches are a valuable gardening tool for reducing weeds in beds. It is important to remember that mulch must be thick to work properly. If your mulch is looking thin, add another layer on top of the existing mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/10/07) In September, it is still pretty hot. Combining that with dry weather can cause an increase in chinch bug activity. These insects attack lawn grasses and prefer St. Augustine grass. They create circular brown areas and will kill the grass where they feed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/10/07) As we move into September, we must be careful about what we prune in our landscapes. Winter and spring-flowering shrubs have set their flower buds, so pruning will remove these flowers. Also, pruning too late can keep shrubs or tree branches from hardening off before winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/10/07) Vegetable and flower beds are active parts of our landscape. Right now, gardeners may need to do some bed preparation before planting fall crops. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/10/07) The weather can remain quite warm throughout September, but we are reaching the end of the growing period. This means you have to be careful with late-season fertilizer applications. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/03/07) Pecan trees tend to "alternate bear," which means they will produce a large crop one year followed by a small crop or no crop the next year. A large crop can lead to breaking branches because of pecan's brittle wood. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/03/07) Green onions are an important part of Louisiana cuisine. This is a great time of the year to plant them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/03/07) A variety of fungal organisms live and grow in our lawns. Some are relatively harmless. Others can be very damaging and cause problems in hot, dry weather. Fungicides can prevent some of this damage from occurring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/03/07) Mature trees are a valuable part of the home landscape. When building on a lot with existing trees, make plans to keep them from being damaged by construction. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 09/03/07) A variety of both warm-season and cool-season vegetables can be planted in September. Transplants of tomatoes and bell peppers can be planted early in the month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 09/10/07) You might have noticed tree leaves that look diseased or sickly recently. What’s the problem and what should you do? LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to handle the situation in this segment of Get it Growing. (Runtime: 1 minute, 27 seconds)

(Video 09/03/07) Many Louisiana gardeners like to grow culinary herbs. Mexican oregano is a good herb for our area. It generally grows in the drier climate of south Texas and northern mexico, but does remarkably well in Louisiana. Make sure this plant gets very good drainage. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/07) Pruning Gingers and cannas can be tricky. Once a shoot has flowered it will not flower again. Gardeners can prune these shoots back down to the ground and make room for new shoots that will sprout up later. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 08/27/07) Some plants are great for attracting beautiful insects – like butterflies. In this Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a plant that not only attracts Monarch butterflies but also serves as a type of nursery for their young. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/07) The young transplants gardeners buy at local nurseries have been raised under perfect conditions in greenhouses. As a result, transplants may need to be hardened off first before being planted in the garden.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/07) Caterpillars are one of the leading pests that attack plants in our landscapes. Their damage usually can be tolerated, but populations of these pests can be high at the end of summer. Monitor their damage and apply pesticides if necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/07) The end of August or the first week of September is the last time this year to apply nitrogen fertilizer to your lawn. You do not want to encourage vigorous growth into the fall, because that makes the grass less hardy going into the winter. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/27/07) Roses have their share of problems during the summer, but if we wait through it, we can expect a good blooming season in the fall. Evaluate your roses now. Prune them, if they need it, to prepare them for fall blooming. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 08/20/07) It’s been extremely hot lately, making it uncomfortable to go outside and work in the garden. The good news is that it feels a little better in the shade. With that in mind, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to a beautiful shade-loving plant. (Runtime: 1 minute, 27 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/07) Heat stress is terrible this time of the year. The weather is just as hard on our plants as it is on us, so we should avoid planting trees and shrubs now. Wait until the weather cools down in October before trying to plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/07) Part of the pruning is to remove unattractive faded fronds from the lower part of the palm's head. This becomes more difficult as the palm grows taller. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/07) This time of the year, gardeners tend to work in the early morning or early evening hours when mosquitoes are most active. Gardeners should protect themselves with mosquito repellant or clothing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/07) Bagging grass clippings is not necessary if you mow frequently. If you don't, however, bagging the clippings can keep your yard healthy and attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/20/07) Aquatic gardens are popular in Louisiana landscapes. But gardeners can have problems keeping their ponds looking healthy. One striking issue is green water. A balanced ecosystem can stop green water from developing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/07) We start looking for pears to ripen on our trees in August. They will start to change color, with a red blush appearing on the fruit. You also might notice the fruit soften or drop out of the tree. If that happens before they're ripe, you can ripen them off the tree for fresh eating. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/07) Many gardeners grow plants in containers. Container plants growing outdoors may need to be repotted after vigorous growth during the summer. You can see wilting and stunted growth on a plant that has outgrown its container. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/07) When it's hot outside, gardeners need to look for jobs that can be done in the shade. Ferns work great in shady areas, and this time of the year they may have unattractive fronds that need tending. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/13/07) The Louisiana Iris becomes dormant in the months of August and September. Then they begin active growth again in October. That means now is a great time to divide and transplant these plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/12/07) Louisiana gardeners can plant milkweed or butterfly weed for migrating monarch butterflies. Monarchs lay eggs on the butterfly weed. Although these plants may have other insect problems, remember that using insecticides on them will harm the butterflies. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 08/13/07) Despite the intense heat this time of the year, you can still add warm-season bedding plants to your landscape to provide that great color we all crave. Stop by your local nursery or garden center, and you’ll find they have a wide selection of wonderful plants in just about every height and color you can imagine. (Runtime: 1 minute, 33 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/07) In these hot days of late summer our plants dry out quickly. Watering correctly will keep plants healthy. Mulching plants also helps conserve water, but overwatering can cause root rot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/07) Coleus is a great bedding plant. It has beautiful foliage in a variety of colors. Coleus can be grown in the sun or the shade, but most prefer some shade. Just make sure you choose a variety suitable for the sunlight situation your coleus plants will be growing in. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 08/06/07) Two of the most difficult insects to deal with in the home landscape are spider mites and white flies. Spider mites are tiny and difficult to see. White flies are small and white, and the young white flies are attached to the underside of the leaves they infest. Both of these insects feed on the sap of plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 08/06/07) Want a flower the size of a dinner plate that will bloom beautifully all summer long? In this week’s Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces you to some popular hibiscus varieties you can find at your local nursery this time of year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 32 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/07) Louisiana vegetable gardeners can plant a wonderful crop of fall tomatoes. We need to get the transplants planted this month in North Louisiana. South Louisiana gardeners can wait until September to plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/07) Vegetables we plant in August reflect the fact that summer will end soon. Crops like broccoli, cauliflower and kohlrabi can be seeded now. There also are other cool-season vegetables you can plant into your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/07) During hot summer days, especially if the weather is dry, chinch bugs can proliferate in area lawns and cause plenty of damage. Symptoms include patches of grass that are brown and dead. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/07) Palms can be planted all over the state. They need to be planted during warm weather, and August is the last month to plant them. Be sure to plant palms that are hardy enough for the area you live in. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/30/07) Louisiana has a long summer growing season. The bedding plants we planted in April and May have been growing for a long time and may be tall and leggy at this point. It is too early to pull them out and plant cool-season bedding plants, but you can cut back these plants.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 07/30/07) Louisiana gardeners love two things in their landscapes – great fragrances and wonderful tropical plants. The Harlequin Glory Bower or “Clerodendrum tricotomum” offers both of those. (Runtime: 1 minute, 28 seconds)

(Video 07/23/07) Ever wonder why crape myrtles seem to always mist on your head? Well, it’s not water. The moisture actually is coming from aphids. In this week’s Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill shows you how to control aphids on your crape myrtles. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(Audio 07/23/07) Basil is a heat-tolerant herb that grows well in Louisiana during the summer. You can find basil plants at your local nursery to plant into your garden. If you already have some growing, harvest regularly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/23/07) Cutting flowers from the garden is a great way to bring the outdoors in. Cut flowers in the late afternoon, cutting them on a slant. Put them in a bucket of water until you are ready to arrange them. Keep the arrangement away from direct sunlight and heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/23/07) Gardenias and hydrangeas are great summer-blooming shrubs. Since they must be pruned before they set their flower buds, this is the best time to prune them. If you wait too late to do this task, you may take off some of the plant's future flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/23/07) Blackberries can be easy to grow and productive in the home garden. This is a good time to prune your blackberry plants. The canes that produced fruit this summer can be cut back. But leave the new canes alone. They will produce for you next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/23/07) July generally is fig month in Louisiana -- although the age of the tree or weather conditions can affect fig production. Once picked figs won't keep long, so enjoy them right away or use them in preserves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/16/07) Annual bedding plants can suffer during the heat of summer. Keep in mind that watering too often won't help the plant and could encourage root rot. Watering deeply and thoroughly two or three times a week should do the job. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/16/07) Louisiana gardeners grow many plants in containers. Flower pots on wooden decks or porches could damage the surface as a result of water collecting on the wood. The best solution is to boost the pots up with pot feet or bricks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/16/07) Weeding can be a constant chore for gardeners. Mulching and using herbicides can help home gardeners face such chores less often. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 07/16/07) You won’t find leopard plants growing in African savannahs. But you can find them growing in Louisiana landscapes. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about the ligularia in this Get It Growing edition. (Runtime: 1 minute, 28 seconds)

(Audio 07/16/07) Shade trees have many benefits in the home landscape, but there is one downside. As these trees grow larger, the grass beneath them can suffer. Ground covers can tolerate the shade, so shade-loving ground covers like monkey grass and liriope are good choices under large trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/16/07) The leaf miner is a common pest of ornamentals and vegetables. The larvae of leaf miners cause the damage to the plants. These pests feed on cells within the layers of the leaf, making it difficult to control them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/09/07) Energy bills can spike during the summer months. Planting shade trees in appropriate places in your yard can help keep cooling costs down. While this is not the right time to plant trees, it is a good time to evaluate your shade needs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/09/07) May through June is the peak harvest time for most tomatoes in Louisiana gardens. You may still have tomato flowers now, but with the intense heat of mid-summer, those flowers are less likely to set fruit. On the other hand, Roma tomatoes and other heat-tolerant tomatoes do well in the summertime. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/09/07) Webworms are small caterpillars that feed on the foliage of a variety of trees. They get their name because they create web-like structures at the end of branches -- enclosing the foliage. They feed on the foliage, but the damage they do generally is minimal. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/09/07) This is our lawn-care season. Mowing frequently and regularly will help keep your lawn healthy. Other lawn chores include fertilizing, keeping mower blades sharpened and watering regularly, if necessary. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/09/07) Despite the heat, July can be an active time in the vegetable garden. We can remove some of the plants that we planted in the spring and replace them with heat-tolerant vegetables such as cucumbers and okra. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 07/09/07) One of the most common insect pests that attack trees in Louisiana during the summer are caterpillars called webworms. These caterpillars occur all through the summer, and they form webs at the ends of the branches, but their actual damage to trees is relatively minor. (Runtime: 1 minute, 25 seconds)

(Audio 07/02/07) Louisiana gardeners grow many plants in containers. This time of the year these plants need plenty of watering, especially if they are in a sunny location. Repotting plants into larger containers can help you cut down on the amount of watering you need to do. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/02/07) There are many beautiful ornamental grasses that can be used as decorative borders. They are drought tolerant and have good insect and disease resistance. Gardeners can find a wide variety of ornamental grasses at gardening centers -- with at least one that will fill their needs. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/02/07) Palm trees can be grown all over Louisiana. If you want to add a palm to your landscape, now is the time to plant them. Homeowners in North Louisiana should choose hardy palms for their climate. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/02/07) The bald cypress is Louisiana's state tree. It makes a great addition to the landscape, but gardeners can have a problem with cypress knees. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to remove knees that might pop up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 07/02/07) Hydrangeas and gardenias bloom in the early summer. Although most of the summer-flowering shrubs we grow in our landscapes bloom on new growth, hydrangeas and gardenias set their flower buds in late summer. When the plants finish flowering, prune them quickly so as not to cut off next year's flower buds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 07/02/07) Container gardens full of beautiful plants are all the rage these days. When using an outdoor container, make sure it’s nice and large to fit into the scale of the outdoors. When choosing the plants, make sure they look good together. (Runtime: 1 minute, 44 seconds)

(Video 06/25/07) Many gardeners are painting their summer landscapes with the sweeping colors of beautiful flowers. Gardeners can use a perennial flowering plant that’s not only colorful but also easy to grow in sun or shade – and resistant to major diseases and insects. (Runtime: 1 minute, 33 seconds)

(Audio 06/25/07) Despite the intense heat of summer, you can continue to plant colorful bedding plants to brighten your summer beds. Be sure to keep them well watered when they are newly planted. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/25/07) Gladiolas bulbs are planted in Louisiana landscapes to provide beautiful spikes of flowers in many colors. Once a gladiola finishes blooming, you should cut off the faded flower but leave all the foliage intact so it can provide food for the bulb. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/25/07) Fertilizers are products that add essential minerals and nutrients to the soil. Soluble fertilizers are dissolved in water and applied as a liquid to plants. They provide immediate nutrients to plants, but they do have drawbacks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/25/07) Tarragon is an herb that is popular in poultry dishes. French tarragon is the classic variety, but it won't grow in Louisiana during the summer. Cooks and gardeners can substitute Mexican tarragon to overcome that obstacle. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/25/07) Weeding work is never done, but there are ways to suppress weeds. Mulch is one way to keep weeds down. A pre-emergence herbicide also can prevent weeds from taking over beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/18/07) Summer is an excellent time to add plants to an aquatic garden. Plants in good-sized pots can simply be placed into the pond. There are no holes to dig or beds to prepare. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/18/07) Zinnias provide bright colors in the garden and make great cut flowers. Although many zinnias perform poorly during the summer months, Profusion zinnias can stand up to Louisiana's heat. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/18/07) During the intense heat of summer rose blooms are fewer, smaller and poorer in quality. Heat stress causes the drop in production. Even though it may seem like roses could use fertilizer, now is not the time to apply fertilizer to your roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/18/07) Petunias are a popular summer bedding plant up north, but these plants generally tend to fade in Louisiana's summer heat. Wave petunias, however, will tolerate more heat than most varieties. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/18/07) High temperatures and high humidity can create a dangerous heat index. It's important to take care of yourself when you garden this time of the year. Garden early in the morning or late in the evening and follow the shade around. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/18/07) The Elaeagnus plant, also known as the Gumi, provides delicious fruit for the making of jelly. But the plant also can be used to create an excellent sound barrier or privacy barrier along the edge of your property. In this week’s Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill points out that the species to buy depends on which of those benefits you prefer. (Runtime: 1 minute, 21 seconds)

(Audio 06/11/07) You may notice fine silvery webbing appearing on the bark of trees during the summer. These webs are made by tiny insects called bark lice or psocids. While it looks alarming, these insects won't harm the tree. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/11/07) Most of the roses in our gardens today are everblooming roses. But some gardeners still grow once-blooming roses. When these roses finish flowering, it is time to prune them. Just study each plant carefully to decide how to prune it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/11/07) In horticulture the term sucker is used to describe a strong sprout growing from the base of a tree or the tree's root system. Crape myrtles commonly produce suckers. But there is a way to get rid of these growths. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/11/07) June ushers in hurricane season in Louisiana, and strong thunderstorms also are common during the summer months. To prepare your yard for potential storms, check for weaknesses or dead branches in trees. Also, plan what objects need to be picked up in your yard if you know a storm is approaching. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/11/07) Home gardeners can grow a number of vegetables from the onion family. These crops are planted in fall and harvested this time of the year. Pull the onion, shallot or garlic bulb out of the ground and let it dry in the sun a few days. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 06/11/07) Just like people, plants can lack the necessary minerals to lead a healthy life. Azaleas are one of the most popular shrubs in Louisiana landscapes. They like an acid-type soil. If they’re grown in alkaline soils, they have problems getting the iron they need out of the soil, and this leads to a disease called iron chlorosis. (Runtime: 1 minutes, 30 seconds)

(Video 06/04/07) Many tropical plants do quite well in Louisiana’s subtropical climate. In this week’s Get It Growing, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill introduces us to a tropical plant that is gaining in popularity and offers a degree of cold-hardiness many tropical plants do not have. (Runtime: 1 minute, 30 seconds)

(Audio 06/04/07) Creating a compost pile is a great way to recycle yard waste. Fallen leaves and grass clippings can be turned into valuable material that can be used in garden bed preparation or as top dressing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/04/07) Gardeners may notice poorly-performing plants with grayish-green growths on them. These growths, called lichens, often are blamed for harming trees or shrubs. Lichens are not parasites, but they often live on trees that are already unhealthy.

(Audio 06/04/07) A vine-ripened tomato freshly picked from the garden can be a real treat. But harvesting tomatoes at the perfect time is not always possible. If they still need it when you pick them, you can ripen tomatoes indoors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/04/07) Mowing is the main lawn chore during the summer months. You need to mow often enough so that when you do mow you are not cutting off more than a third of the leaf blade. Of course, this will mean mowing at least once a week. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 06/04/07) The vegetables we plant in Louisiana this time of the year have to be able to take the intense heat throughout the summer. We can plant a variety of vegetables such as canteloupe, eggplant and okra. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/27/08) If you will be building or doing any sort of construction on land with existing trees, plan carefully to preserve the trees, if possible. Consulting with an arborist can determine which trees are healthy and how they can be protected. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/28/07) Irish potatoes are planted into the home garden around February in Louisiana. By the time we reach late May or early June, the potatoes usually are ready for harvest. And blooms may show up around harvest time. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/28/07) A number of trees and shrubs we use in Louisiana landscapes tend to develop suckers at the base. Suckers are sprouts that come up on trees such as wax myrtles, crape myrtles and river birches. Pruning and treatment is important in controlling these suckers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/28/07) Most trees and shrubs in Louisiana should be planted during our cooler season, but palms should be planted during the heat of summer. The roots of palms only grow in warm soil. Just make sure the palms you plant are hardy for your area. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/28/07) It is not as well known as its Chinese and Japanese counterparts, but there is a native wisteria vine found in Louisiana. It's called Wisteria frutescens, and it blooms about now (in late May). While the Chinese wisteria’s blooming is over in about two weeks – one big flash – the native wisteria has been in bloom at least a week or two and is going to continue to bloom for more than a month. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(Audio 05/28/07) Vines are wonderful additions to our landscapes. They are beautiful climbing on a trellis or over an arbor. Annual vines are the ones that die at the end of their season, so if you are hesitant to use vines because you think they might get too wild, an annual vine will solve that problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/21/07) Decorative ponds and aquatic gardens are popular in many home and commercial landscapes. One of the more common problems for these ponds is green water. Algae blooms can cause green water this time of the year. But submerged plants can help clear this up. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/21/07) The most popular small flowering tree in Louisiana landscapes is the crape myrtle. Its long blooming season and its ability to grow under most Louisiana soil conditions make it a prized tree. Crape myrtles come in a variety of colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/21/07) Cooked greens are a traditional part of Louisiana's cuisine, but it is difficult to get these vegetables to grow during the summer. There are some nontraditional greens cooks and gardeners can try this time of year, however. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/21/07) Summer-flowering bulbs grow and bloom between April and September. Many are native to tropical and subtropical areas, and they thrive in Louisiana's climate. These summer-flowering bulbs can vary in size, height and color – and in the amount of shade and moisture they can tolerate. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/21/07) Shrub roses are a category of roses that are really great for use in the landscape. What revolutionized this category was a cultivar called Knock Out. In this Get It Growing segment, LSU AgCenter hoticulturist Dan Gill also shows us other shrub roses that work well in Louisiana landscapes. (Runtime: 1 minute, 37 seconds)

(Audio 05/14/07) Black spot is the most destructive disease on roses in Louisiana. Cultivars of roses that are highly susceptible to black spot are difficult to grow here. You can control black spot by spraying your roses regularly – even before you see signs of the disease occurring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/14/07) Spanish moss does not hurt a tree it is growing in. You can see the moss turn green when it rains, because the rain is what provides nutrients for the moss. Since Spanish moss isn't drawing anything from the tree, if you like the way it looks in a tree, let it grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/14/07) Many of us have childhood memories of harvesting blackberries on roadsides. You also can grow blackberries in your home garden. Prune them after harvest, which comes this month, but prune only the canes that bore fruit this year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/14/07) Now is a great time to evaluate flower beds. If you planted cool-season bedding plants, you probably are noticing those are starting to fade. Replace them with warm-season bedding plants to have color this summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/14/07) Many gardeners do a lot of planting in late winter and early spring. As we move into the heat of summer, it is important to water these new plants, because they do not have well-established root systems yet. In this segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill focuses on watering newly planted trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 05/14/07) May is a transitional month in Louisiana flower gardens. The wonderful cool-season bedding plants that provided so much color and beauty during the milder months of spring really begin to show the heat stress as the weather becomes warmer. (Runtime: 1 minute, 23 seconds)

(Video 05/07/07) Clematis vines produce huge beautiful flowers that could make any gardener want a vine in the yard. The vine can thrive during the spring in Louisiana, but once the intense heat of summer moves in, it will start to wilt and die. (Runtime: 1 minute, 25 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/07) Hydrangeas and gardenias bloom in May and are great shrubs for Louisiana. A unique aspect of both plants is that they set their flower buds in late summer. If you need to prune the shrubs, do so right after they finish flowering. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/07) Properly caring for a new lawn will give it a good start. New sod will need to be watered frequently since it has not established a good root system yet. Mow the lawn when needed. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/07) Early May is a good time to do your final assessment for weed control in your lawn. The reason for doing it now is that the herbicides we use to control weeds in our lawns cannot be used once the daytime highs stay above 85 degrees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/07) Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown in the home vegetable garden, but they do have their share of disease problems. This time of the year buckeye rot could attack the lower cluster of fruit on a tomato plant. Mulch can help prevent that problem. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 05/07/07) Sod is turf grass that is grown in a field and then harvested by cutting thin strips. Using sod is the best way to establish a new lawn. It creates an instant lawn without the worry of birds eating the seeds or rain washing the seeds away. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/30/07) The word bolting is a horticulture term used to describe when a plant we don’t intend to grow for its blooms goes into flower. This oftentimes occurs in leafy vegetables like turnip greens and radishes that we grow for their roots. (Runtime: 1 minute, 27 seconds)

(Audio 04/30/07) Houseplants brighten our decor and help to freshen the air, but they prefer to be outdoors. If you plan to move houseplants outdoors for the summer, make the transition to higher light conditions gradual. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/30/07) Freshly grown herbs are perfect for seasoning home-cooked meals. Herbs are not difficult to grow either. Many of the herbs we love to grow are more productive in the spring and early summer, so harvest your herbs generously this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/30/07) Caladiums are great plants that provide summer color in shady areas, and you can plant caladium tubers this time of the year. An added bonus to these plants is that they are very heat-tolerant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/30/07) Gardeners can plant many vegetables into their gardens this time of the year. But they need to start focusing on heat-tolerant vegetables such as eggplant, peppers and okra. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/30/07) The color of the pepper depends on the stage at which it is harvested. Some traditionally are harvested green, like green bell peppers and jalapeno peppers. But we generally wait to harvest cayenne peppers and red bell peppers when they turn red. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/23/07) The Japanese maple is an outstanding small-growing tree for Louisiana landscapes. We grow them for their brilliantly colored foliage. They peak at about 15 feet and work well in a small area such as around a patio or close to your home. (Runtime: 1 minute, 28 seconds)

(Audio 04/23/07) It's time to move container plants that were inside during the winter back outside. But you need to make the move to higher light conditions gradual. Move these plants to a shady location outside first before introducing them to more sunlight. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/23/07) Spring-flowering bulbs beautify Louisiana landscapes, but you need to take care of these plants after they finish blooming. It is important not to remove the foliage until it begins turning yellow. This will help to ensure your bulbs will bloom again next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/23/07) Cool-season bedding plants are in full bloom this time of the year. Keep a close eye on these plants because they will start to languish as the weather warms. When they began fading, pull them out and replace them with warm-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/23/07) The warmer weather is encouraging container plants to grow vigorously. These plants need more fertilization than plants grown in the ground, because the frequent watering they need leeches nutrients out of their soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/23/07) Most of the fungus diseases that attack plants in our landscapes like rainy weather. One common disease that actually prefers drier conditions is powdery mildew. Symptoms appear like a fine white powder over the foliage of the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/16/07) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of summer bedding plants that tolerate the heat and provide lots of color for us during the warm season. This is a great time to start planting them if you want to add something new to your landscape. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/16/07) April is a transitional month in Louisiana flower gardens. Many of the cool-season bedding plants we planted last fall are blooming beautifully right now, but it's too late to plant those flowers. If you want some color in your landscape that will last through the summer, consider putting in warm-season plants now. (Runtime: 1 minute, 39 seconds)

(Audio 04/16/07) Warmer weather means it's time for lawn chores. We have to mow more often, spend more time watching for weeds and just generally put more work into our yards. This is a good time to make sure your mower is in good condition and the blades are sharp. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/16/07) Caladiums are easy to grow and reliable in shady areas. There are some varieties that can tolerate sun, but most caladiums prefer shady locations. You can plant caladium tubers this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/16/07) Permanent lawn grasses grow best during the warm season. This is the prime planting time for warm-season grasses. With the exception of common Bermuda, solid sodding is the best way to plant a lawn. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/16/07) Louisiana has its share of pest problems as the weather warms up. If you notice you are having a weed, insect or disease problem in your lawn or garden, it is important to correctly identify the culprit and to get the right recommendation to try to eliminate it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/09/07) A variety of the herbs we grow in our herb gardens grow better during the cool season. It is best to harvest herbs generously in April, May and early June. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/09/07) In Louisiana we generally apply the first fertilizer to our lawns in early April. It is important to allow the lawn to green up and establish a good root system before applying fertilizer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/09/07) Tomato plants tend to sprawl on the ground when they are not supported. If the fruit is left touching the ground, it can rot. Stake your tomato plants to keep them growing tall. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/09/07) Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable grown in the home garden. When you go to the nursery to buy tomato transplants, choose those that are dark green and stocky. The better quality transplants you start with the better the plants are going to do. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/09/07) The Louisiana cross vine is an outstanding native vine that blooms in the spring. It provides wonderful flowers to our landscapes this time of the year. The cross vine is native to many wooded areas of the state. (Runtime: 1 minute, 15 seconds)

(Audio 04/09/07) Perennials are wonderful herbaceous plants that are grown for their beautiful flowers or attractive foliage. These plants brighten the landscape and live for many years, giving them an advantage over annuals that have to be replaced every year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/02/07) Now is a good time to evaluate spring-flowering shrubs and decide if they need to be pruned. It is best to prune them soon after they flower, and always prune with a specific purpose in mind, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/02/07) April is a busy month for the home vegetable gardeners. Some of the most popular vegetables we grow can be planted at this time. Remember, earlier planted vegetables escape problems with insects and diseases (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/02/07) April is a transitional time in the flower garden. Cool-season bedding plants are at their peak right now, but it really is too late to plant them. Instead, it's better to start planting warm-season bedding plants that will bloom for you throughout the summer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 04/02/07) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of spring-flowering trees and shrubs to bring lots of color to our landscapes this time of the year. Azaleas are blooming all over the state right now in lots of wonderful colors. A shrub that’s commonly planted along azaleas is this bridal wreath spirea. (Runtime: 1 minute, 21 seconds)

(Audio 04/02/07) Dry, warm weather in the spring encourages the development of spider mites. They can damage a variety of vegetables and ornamentals in our landscapes. If you see damage, you can inspect under the leaves of the plants for signs of infestation. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 04/02/07) Leading up to the Easter holidays there are plenty of Easter lilies for sale, but after Easter many people dispose of them. Easter lilies actually can be planted into the landscape and will bloom for you in the spring year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 03/26/07) Tomatoes are one of the most popular crops that home vegetable gardeners plant in Louisiana. Mid-March is a great time for South Louisiana gardeners to plant tomatoes. Gardeners in North Louisiana can start planting their tomatoes in early to mid-April. (Runtime: 1 minute, 32 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/07) Although nurseries in the state generally begin carrying tropical plants in March, it is better to wait until April or May to incorporate these plants into your landscape. Late freezes can occur, and it takes a while for the soil to warm up to the temperatures these plants need to thrive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/07) In gardening the term deadheading refers to removing faded flowers from a plant. This practice has many benefits, including keeping plants looking attractive and encouraging some to bloom longer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/07) When you are getting ready to purchase a home, inspections can ensure costly repairs will not be required after you take ownership of the property. In many instances when you use a home inspector, the condition of the trees and the landscape is not given the same consideration. Hiring a licensed arborist to inspect trees can save money for you as the potential homeowner. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/26/07) Mirliton is a vegetable that is popular in southern Louisiana, but it also can be grown in the northern part of the state. Look for the sprouted fruit at your local garden center and plant them into a well-prepared bed. It grows as a vine, so give it something to climb on. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 03/19/07) As we move into mid-March, Louisiana vegetable gardeners can start working with the crops we grow in the spring and early summer like tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. This is a great time to get them into the ground if you’re in South Louisiana. North Louisiana gardeners will want to wait until the early part of April. (Runtime: 1 minute, 21 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/07) In spring we do a lot of planting, and good bed preparation is an important part of the process. The basic steps include removing unwanted vegetation, tilling and adding soil amendments. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/07) Brown patch is a fungal disease that attacks lawn grasses. Since it favors mild and wet weather, the growing conditions we have now are ideal for brown patch. It will show up as the grass starts to green up and grow, but you can control it with a lawn fungicide. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/07) Cool-season weeds may be prevalent in your lawn now. Fortunately, these weeds are not very destructive to the grass and many will die off when the weather warms. To control future generations of the weeds, it is best to mow them back to prevent them from flowering and setting seeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/07) Finish transplanting and dividing perennials this month. If transplanted now most perennials will do well, but if you wait until the weather is warmer, your plants may suffer. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/19/07) Mulches decay and get thinner over the winter, which means weeds usually become a nuisance in your planting beds this time of year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill reminds us that mulch is our best defense against weeds. He also says there is no need to remove old mulch when putting in new mulch. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/07) Vegetable transplants purchased in nurseries have been grown in greenhouses and have led a sheltered life. Planting them right into the garden can be traumatic for them, so you need to harden them off before they go into your garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/07) A lot of the vegetables we eat actually are the fruit or the seeds of these particular plants. Examples include tomatoes, snap beans, corn and squash. In order for these to produce, they need proper pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/07) If you look around now you are likely to see beds of pansies, petunias and snapdragons. These bedding plants were planted last fall or early winter. If you want color, at this point, it is best to wait and plant warm-season bedding plants next month. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/07) Herbaceous perennials live in our landscapes from year to year. These plants are nonwoody and can brighten our landscapes. Many nurseries carry perennials such as salvia and butterfly weed.

(Video 03/12/07) The Drummond Red Maple, or swamp red maple, as it's also known, is a superb tree for Louisiana landscapes. It’s a variant from the normal red maple species and has some unique characteristics. You can find them readily available in nurseries right now, and March is a great month to get shade trees planted into the landscape. (Runtime: 1 minute, 28 seconds)

(Audio 03/12/07) Cool-season weeds likely are growing in your lawn and flower beds this time of year. As the weather gets warmer those weeds begin to flower and set seeds. The seeds will create more problems next year, so if you can control the weeds before they flower, you can decrease the problems you'll have with these same weeds next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Radio News 03/05/07) Buck moth caterpillars are black, spiny, stinging caterpillars that are found on oaks. The eggs were laid in December and generally hatch in March. If you think you may have serious problems, you can have your trees commercially sprayed this month to control the infestations. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/07) Warmer weather means spring will be settling in across Louisiana. March can be an active month in the vegetable garden, but watch for late-season freezes. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 03/05/07) Louisiana gardeners use a wide variety of cool-season bedding plants to bring wonderful color to the landscapes during fall, winter and spring. It is better to plant these in the fall, but if you didn’t get yours in then, there’s still time to plant cool-season bedding plants. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(03/05/07) Spring-flowering bulbs usually begin blooming in March. Take note of when the bulbs bloom and how the plants perform. This will help you make decisions for next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/07) March is an excellent time to fertilize shrubs in your landscape, but that doesn't mean you have to do it. If your shrubs are green and healthy, fertilizing isn't necessary. On the other hand, if you are trying to encourage growth, fertilizing now would be ideal. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/05/07) By March most of our roses should be growing vigorously, and this is a great time to fertilize them. You can use an all-purpose or a slow-release fertilizer. Also, now is a good time to spray for black spot. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 02/26/07) It may seem odd to talk about palms in late winter or early spring, but windmill palms can teach a lesson about growing conditions. Palms planted at the same time in the same general area may grow differently depending on how well the soil drains. (Runtime: 1 minute, 39 seconds)

(Audio 02/26/07) Fertilizer does not go bad if stored properly. Most of the fertilizers we use will absorb moisture out of the air, which makes them difficult to use. For best results, store fertilizer in a sealed plastic bag or sealed plastic container.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/26/07) It's too late to plant spring-flowering bulbs, but you may have questions about what is happening to these plants this time of the year. One of those questions may be whether late freezes will damage these plants. Generally, the foliage of these plants is very hardy, so any freezes we may get will not damage it. But flower buds can be damaged by extreme cold. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/26/07) One of the critical parts to successfully growing plants is providing them with the light they need. There are a variety of terms used to describe the type of light a plant prefers. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains what "full sun" means. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/26/07) Organic matter is very valuable in the home garden. When it comes to gardening, organic matter means plant parts such as leaves, sawdust or wood chips and animal manures. This can be made into compost and incorporated into garden beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/26/07) Most of the hardy perennials growing in landscapes can be cut back and divided this time of the year. Cutting back perennials removes dead growth. But this needs to be done before they put on spring growth. This also is a good time to transplant perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 02/19/07) Sago palms are popular plants to use in landscapes around Louisiana. They are not true palms, but are cycads. They are closely related to pine trees and other conifers. One of the common problems with these sagos is a scale insect called the cycad scale. (Runtime: 1 minute, 26 seconds)

(Audio 02/19/07) Now is the time to clip back ground covers – before new growth appears. This helps remove old growth and rejuvenate the plants. It also controls their growth. Finish up this task by the end of February. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/19/07) Sometimes it may be necessary to relocate a shrub or a tree. This is a great time of the year to transplant trees or shurbs. Just be sure to prepare the hole in the new location before you dig up the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/19/07) Planting a tree is not a difficult task, but it should be done right to ensure a good start for the tree. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says to start by measuring the root ball of the tree. Then dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball, but no deeper. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/19/07) Many landscapes include small decorative ponds or aquatic features. This is a great time to clean ponds, because the foliage and fish in them are not very active. Choose a mild day to get this done. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/12/07) The typical garden hydrangea has a very unique aspect – the color of the flowers is influenced by the pH of the soil. Depending on the soil type, gardeners can manipulate the colors of their hydrangeas by adding aluminum sulfate or lime to their soil. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/12/07) Not many plants are sold "bare root" any more, but roses still are commonly grown that way. It is critical to get bare-root roses planted early – by the end of February, at the latest. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/12/07) Hardy fruit trees should be fertilized during the month of February. This encourages good vigor and improves their production. If you are not sure how to fertilize your trees, you can get recommendations by having your soil tested through your LSU AgCenter extension office. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/12/07) There is a nice selection of warm-season colorful plants for shady areas, but when it comes to color during the cool season, most of the bedding plants prefer sunnier areas. There are a few plants that might work in shady spots, however. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 02/12/07) The weeping yaupon holly is a form of the native yaupon holly. It has cascading branches that gracefully grow downward. It also produces wonderful bright red translucent berries in the winter that serve as good bird food. (Runtime: 1 minute, 24 seconds)

(Audio 02/12/07) February is the month to fertilize trees in your landscape. Young trees benefit the most from fertilization. This encourages them to grow faster in those first few years. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains different ways to fertilize trees. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 02/05/07) Despite our chilly Louisiana winters and even the hard freezes we could have this time of year, cool-season weeds continue to grow in our lawns. There are a variety of weeds that you may find in your lawns this time of year. (Runtime: 1 minute, 44 seconds)

(Audio 02/05/07) Louisiana gardeners use a variety of tropical plants in their landscapes. During the winter, these tropical plants are damaged by cold weather. Whether you should prune these damaged plants now or later depends on what type of tropical plants they are. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/05/07) Rose bushes are popular in Louisiana landscapes, and now is the time to prune roses. This is particularly important for hybrid teas and grandiflora roses because of the way they grow. Other roses should be pruned to remove dead growth or to shape them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/05/07) Spider mites are tiny pests that can attack and damage plants. Infestations tend to be worse on houseplants, since there are no natural predators for the insects indoors. If you have a problem, you may notice pale foliage and tiny spider mites on the under side of the leaves. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/05/07) Swiss chard is an outstanding leafy vegetable that is easy to grow. It tastes a little like spinach when it is cooked, but it is related to beets. You can direct-seed it into your garden right now. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 02/05/07) Louisiana gardeners can continue to plant vegetables in their vegetable gardens during February. You can direct-seed root crops in your garden this time of the year. Cole crops also can be planted now, as well as some leafy vegetables. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/29/07) Ground covers are wonderful low-growing, spreading plants. They work well in areas where grass won't grow, like under trees. These plants are hardy in the winter, and this is a good time to plant ground covers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/29/07) Even though Louisiana gardeners can plant year-round, most gardeners get the gardening bug in the spring. Now is a great time to get beds prepared for spring planting. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/29/07) Plants utilize light to create the food they need to live and grow. When we grow plants indoors, light is very limited. But you can improve the light an indoor plant gets by making a few adjustments. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/29/07) Most roses need to be pruned every year. Pruning is important on roses such as hybrid teas and grandifloras, and late January is the best time to prune your roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/29/07) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill frequently talks about how to grow flowers, but this time he's talking about how to preserve some of those wonderful flowers you grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/29/07) Plants can add so much to our indoor environment. They create a wonderful atmosphere and even help freshen the air inside our homes. Since the weather is cold outside, you can get some gardening done by adding plants inside your house. (Runtime: 1 minute, 31 seconds)

(Audio 01/22/07) Most of the plants we use in our landscapes are hardy, but tropical plants are popular in Louisiana. Many tropicals will survive freezes, although they will have some damage. When to prune the damage depends on what type of tropical you have. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/22/07) Now is a great time to purchase and plant camellias. There are not many plants that are in full bloom during their proper planting time, but camellias are one of those plants. You can choose the camellia variety that has the shape and color flowers that you like. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/22/07) Winter vegetable gardens have far fewer insects and disease problems than summer vegetable gardens, but there are still some pests out there. Caterpillars, scale insects and slugs can be common this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/22/07) LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says he often gets questions about watering indoor plants. Watering them too much or not enough both can be problematic for the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/22/07) Mealy bugs are small white insects that suck on the leaves of plants. If you notice small cottony spots on your indoor plants, you probably have an infestation of mealy bugs. A plant can tolerate a small population, but as the population grows, the plant will become sick and weakened. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/22/07) An attractive way to display plants is to grow them in hanging baskets. Hanging baskets are wonderful because they are positioned right at eye level where you really can appreciate the detail of the plant. (Runtime: 1 minute, 19 seconds)

(Audio 01/15/07) Winter is a great time to prune a variety of plants in our landscapes. Do not, however, prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs. But you can prune summer-flowering trees and shrubs. Remember, pruning is optional. Only prune if a plant needs it. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/15/07) This is a great time to plant Irish potatoes in our vegetable gardens. Buy whole potatoes from local nurseries to cut up and plant. If you plant them soon, they will be ready to harvest in late April or early May. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/15/07) There are a number of plants in our landscapes that we can propagate with hardwood cuttings. These cuttings are taken during mid-to-late winter. Some of the plants you can propagate using this technique are roses and figs.

(Audio 01/15/07) Beets are a wonderful root crop that grow well in our vegetable gardens. Beets are grown from seed, and this is the time to plant them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/15/07) Louisiana celebrates Arbor Day on the third Friday in January. This a great time to plant a tree in your landscape. Trees provide many benefits such as providing shade, serving as wildlife habitat and helping to clean the air. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/15/07) Acuba japonica is a tropical-looking plant that thrives in Louisiana’s climate and is not bothered by winter temperatures. It is commonly called acuba or gold dust plant because of the wonderful gold speckling on it. (Runtime: 1 minute, 25 seconds)

(Audio 01/08/07) In the North, plants such as foxgloves and holly hocks are perennials, but here in Louisiana, they are cool-season annuals. Find these plants at your local nursery as soon as you can, and buy them before they bloom. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/08/07) Houseplants add a lot to our indoor environment and decor, but the containers they are grown in can confine a plant's root system. As a plant grows larger, its root system will outgrow the container, and it will be time to repot the plant. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/08/07) Many Louisiana gardeners overseed their permanent lawn grasses with ryegrass. You can enjoy a beautiful green lawn all winter, but one of the drawbacks is you still have to care for it. With lots of rain, it will be necessary to mow more often. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/08/07) One of the most reliable fall-blooming azaleas is the Fashion azalea. It produces wonderful coral-colored flowers. During the winter it stops blooming, but it blooms heavily again in the spring. A benefit of this plant is that its foliage changes dramatically once the cold weather moves in. (Runtime: 1minute, 22 seconds)

(Audio 01/08/07) Parsley is an easy herb to grow. We can grow two different types: flat-leaf and curly-leaf parsley. Flat-leaf is more flavorful, but curly-leaf is more attractive in the home garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/08/07) Three of the most popular plants we grow in our vegetable gardens are tomatoes, eggplants and peppers. Many gardeners buy transplants of these plants in late March or early April. But you can grow them from seeds now. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 01/01/07) If you’re looking for a native Louisiana shrub that’s great for privacy screening, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends the wax myrtle. It's a large shrub that is very tolerant of poorly drained areas. (Runtime: 1 minute, 22 seconds)

(Audio 01/01/07) The weather in Louisiana stays relatively mild during the winter. That means plants continue to grow here, and weeds are no exception. If you want, you can mow lawn weeds back occassionally, or you can use an appropriate herbicide on them. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/01/07) Louisiana gardeners use a variety of cool-season bedding plants to keep their gardens colorful during the winter and spring. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill encourages gardeners to keep these plants healthy so they stay beautiful into spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/01/07) Hardy trees and shrubs can be planted during the winter, and that includes roses. Landscape roses are popular and provide plenty of flowers. This also is a good time to order roses. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/01/07) We use a variety of plants to embellish our homes during the holidays. Christmas trees, poinsettias and Christmas cactus keep our homes merry and bright. Poinsettias should be discarded after the holidays, but a Christmas cactus can bloom for you year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 01/01/07) January usually is the coldest month in Louisiana. Despite the cold, vegetable gardens remain productive during this month. Some root crops and leafy greens can be planted this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) After a hard freeze you can tell which plants in your landscape are hardy and which ones are tender tropicals. When cold damage occurs on herbaceous tropicals, it is obvious. You can prune that damage off shortly after the freeze. But wait until spring growth occurs to prune woody tropicals . (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Late December through early January is the best time to plant hyacinth and tulip bulbs that have been chilling in refrigerators. Chilling them first helps them bloom properly. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) The depths of winter is a good time to plant roses. Many nurseries have rose bushes available. If the weather stays mild, roses can continue to bloom into January. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Deciduous trees have leaves that change colors and then fall, but this time of the year some evergreen plants also may go through a color change. Azaleas and junipers are two evergreen plants on which the foliage often changes colors. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 12/25/06) Perennial herbs can grow during the winter in Louisiana. Gardeners can harvest the herbs whenever there is enough growth on the plant. They may grow slowly during the winter, but they will start growing vigorously come spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 10/27/06) Gardeners are often advised that the key to gardening success is planting the right plant in the right place. Although this sounds relatively simple, a lot goes into the decision of what plants should be used and where they should be planted in the landscape.

(For Release On Or After 10/20/06) When I was a child my family lived in Germany for a time. I remember attending the annual Oktoberfest in Munich, where thinly-sliced white radishes were served with salt as a nibbler to accompany the famed draft beer. Although I couldn’t appreciate the beer at that age, I loved the radishes. I also think of radishes in October for another reason, because this is a great time to plant them in your garden, and there are no vegetables easier to grow.

(For Release On Or After 10/13/06) I’m not a big fan of bringing in new soil and replacing the original soil in a garden bed. There are times, however, when it is necessary to purchase additional soil for the garden – especially when creating new raised beds or raising the grade of existing ones.

(For Release On Or After 10/06/06) Caladiums are among the most reliable summer bedding plants for providing color in shady areas. They stay attractive despite the intense heat of summer and are rarely bothered by insects or disease. By the end of September or beginning of October, however, they reach the end of their growing season and begin to decline in appearance.

(Audio 2/20/06) Potted, blooming Easter lilies are always available around Easter time. Save these lilies and plant them into your landscape. They will go dormant in the summer and bloom for you year after year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 3/20/06) Home inspections can ensure that costly repairs are not required after you take possession of the property. Trees usually are not included in such inspections, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill suggests hiring a licensed arborist before making an offer on a home. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 3/20/06) Louisiana gardeners are able to grow a wide variety of fruit trees in home landscapes. One thing you need to keep in mind is that fruit trees are prone to insect and disease problems. These trees must be on a preventve spray schedule. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 3/20/06) Corn is one of the most wonderful vegetables you can grow in your home vegetable garden. Corn takes up a lot of room, however, so you will need space to grow this plant. Plant corn in a square to get good pollination. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/13/06) Proper bed preparation before planting is an important part of your success in the garden. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says good bed preparation makes a difference in the perfomance of what you plant, whether it is vegetables, shrubs or flowers. Remove weeds and till soil to get started. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/13/06) St. Augustine grass has been a very popular lawn grass. Unfortunately, it is quite susceptible to the disease brown patch. Brown patch primarily is active in the fall, but it also shows up this time of the year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/13/06) During the month of March, Louisiana lawns wake up and begin to turn green. Dormant lawns may be alive with winter weeds this time of the year. Mow back these weeds or apply a lawn weed killer. This will prevent the cool-season weeds from setting seeds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/13/06) Mulch is a material gardeners spread over the soil surface to supress weed growth and conserve soil moisture. A common question LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill gets about mulch is whether a gardener should remove old mulch before putting down new mulch? His short answer is no. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audtio 03/13/06) Transplanting and dividing perennials should be done as soon as possible. As the weather warms, the chance of transplant shock increases. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains how to divide and transplant perennials. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 2/27/06) Camellias provide wonderful flowers in the late winter. Spider mites can be a problem on camellias. Mites are hard to see, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says they can be controlled. (Runtime: 1 minute 30 seconds)

(Video 2/13/06) Louisiana gardeners are accustomed to going to the nursery and buying plants already in bloom. Holly hocks should be planted well before they bloom. They need to be established to put on a good show. (Runtime 1 minute 24 seconds)

(Video 03/06/06) This a great time of the year to start warm-season bedding plants from seed -- to transplant into the garden later. Read the back of the seed package for directions. (Runtime: 1 minute 35 seconds)

(Audio 03/06/06) March is a great month to fertilize your shrubbery. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says a good all-purpose granular fertilizer can be used to fertilize virtually all the shrubs in your landscape. If your plants are performing well, fertilizing is an option. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/06/06) Gardeners use a variety of interesting terms. One of these terms is "hardening off." That term is applied to growing transplants. What it means is that transplants often are raised in the sheltered environment of a greenhouse and they must be toughened before being planted into a garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/06/06) Consumers actually eat the fruit of some popular vegetables. In botany, the fruit means the structure that encompasses the seed. Some of these vegetables include tomatoes, corn, squash and lima beans. To be successful with them, you must plant so proper pollination can take place. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/06/06) This is a nice time to think about planting summer bedding plants. If you have cool-season plants still blooming, leave them be. If you have bare beds, consider planting warm-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 03/06/06) Perennials are wonderful plants that can live for many years in our landscapes. Many nurseries are carrying perennials now. They can make an immediate impact on your flower garden. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/27/06) Cool-season weeds are growing in lawns this time of the year. Even though they will die off when the weather warms in April and May, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends controlling them now so they won't bedevil your lawn next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/27/06) Many of our spring-flowering bulbs put on their best show during March. This is a great time to walk around your garden and make notes. You can use your notes when planning your garden next year. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/27/06) Roses should be growing well this month and could even set flowerbuds later in the month. Apply a fertilizer to get them to grow vigoursly and produce beautiful flowers. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/27/06) The buck moth caterpillar is a problem in all parts of Louisiana. The moth emerges in December and lays eggs in oak trees. Homeowners can have their trees sprayed to reduce the chance of an infestation of this stinging caterpillar. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/27/06) March is a busy month in the home vegetable garden. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says gardeners in North Louisiana should wait a while before planting, but he also says earlier planting means fewer problems with insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 2/20/06) There are plenty of fruit trees, shrubs and vines that can grow in Louisiana landscapes. Late February and early March are ideal times to get them into the ground. (Runtime: 1 minute, 37 seconds)

(Audio 2/20/06) Fire Blight is a damaging bacterial disease that hits members of the rose family. You also see it on fruit trees and ornamentals. Since you cannot control this disease once you see it., LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends preventive sprays.(Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/20/06) Planting corn in February may sound a bit early, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says that's OK because early planted corn is less susceptible to insects. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/20/06) Some of the spring-flowering bulbs already have bloomed, but some that are stil blooming are susceptible to late-winter freezes. Protect blooming flowers from harsh temperatures. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/20/06) Organic matter can be any number of materials derived from plants or animals. It makes soil richer and more fertile. In this segment, LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill explains more about organic matter. (Runtime 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/13/06) It's not unusual to decide you want to move a plant from one location to another. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says February is the time to do that, and he advises to get up most of the roots and replant it at the same depth it was growing. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/13/06) February is a great month to clip ground covers before the new growth appears. Old, brown leaves often appear in liriope and monkey grass. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says to cut this back now to keep your ground covers attractive. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/13/06) Decorative ponds and aquatic gardens are popular in Louisiana landscapes. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says this is a great time of year to clean out a pond and get it fresh for spring. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/13/06) Were you thinking of planting a tree? There is still time to get trees into your landscape this year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill says you have until the end of February to plant, and he stresses to pick a tree with a straight trunk and no low forks. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Hydrangeas are remarkable shrubs. They produce large heads of colorful flowers that can be manipulated. Now is the time to add lime or aluminum sulfate to change the color. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Cool-season bedding plants provide color to our gardens during winter and spring. Now is the time to plant cool-season bedding plants, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about a few that work well in shady areas. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Late winter and early spring are great times to add roses to your landscape. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill recommends using bare-root roses if you are looking for an inexpensive option. Plant them into well-prepared beds. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Audio 2/6/06) Most of the hardy fruit trees grown in the home garden should be pruned in February. Young trees should be pruned properly to help them grow. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

(Video 1/16/06) During the winter time we move tender tropicals indoors to protect them from the cold. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill offers some tips to properly water these plants and other houseplants. (Runtime: 1minute, 37seconds)

(Audio 1/9/06) This time of year gardeners are putting new beds into their landscapes. That often means bringing in soil mixes to create these beds. It is very important to know what kind of soil mix you are getting. (Runtime: 1min 30sec)

(Video 12/26/06) Wood ashes have a variety of nutrients in them and can be used in landscapes. They are very alkaline and should be used sparingly. (Runtime: 1min 17sec)

(Video 1/2/06) It's important for Louisiana gardeners to realize our winters are so mild that we can still grow a variety of things throughout the year. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has hints for planting cool-season bedding plants. (Runtime: 1minute, 39 seconds)

(For Release On Or After 01/27/06) Cool days and chilly nights are just the kind of weather lettuce enjoys. Lettuce is a vegetable that is easy to grow, delicious and so attractive that any gardener – whether you have a vegetable garden, flower garden or even a garden in containers on a balcony – should include it in the garden.

(Audio 12/19/05) This is a great time to plant a pecan tree. Check with nurseries to see when pecan trees will come in. Be patient though; it takes about seven years for the tree to begin producing nuts.

(Audio 12/19/05) The mild weather in Louisiana allows weeds to grow in the winter time. Gardeners need to keep an eye out for these weeds and keep beds well mulched to suppress weed growth.

(Audio 12/19/05) Garden products need to be stored properly over the winter. Many of these products are water-based and could freeze in cold weather

(Video 12/12/05) When the mercury dips, growers can do a variety of things to protect tropicals. For valuable tropicals, digging them up and potting them may be the best protection.

(Audio 12/19/05) Don't throw leaves away. Gill says falling leaves are too valuable for the trash pile. Use them as mulch or put them in a compost bin.

(Audio 12/5/05) With our mild winters, there usually is something we can do in our gardens all year. When planting, pruning and routine chores slow down in the winter, there are other chores gardeners can do.

(Audio 12/5/05) If you haven't put in your cool-season bedding plants, now is the time. Just be sure not to put them out right before a hard freeze.

(Audio for 12/5/05) Poinsettias come in many different shapes and sizes. Proper care will assure a beautiful plant into the New Year.

(Audio for 12/5/05) Cutting down your own Christmas tree is a fun way to get a fresh, live tree. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about how to find tree farms around Louisiana.

(Audio for 12/5/05) Despite the cold, there are a number of vegetables you can plant this time of the year. Just be sure to protect them from potential hard freezes.

(Distributed 11/30/05) Falling leaves are a sign of the season, but if you leave those leaves on your lawn, they can cause damage. Dan talks about ways to remove leaves from your lawn.

(Distributed 11/23/05) Cast iron plants make for great landscape plants. They love shady locations and stay green throughout the winter. Clip back the dead or brown foliage this time of the year to keep plants looking attractive.