Basic Landscape Features - Louisiana House Home & Landscape Resource Center

Typical size landscape for Louisiana residence

• Public area
  
• Private (outdoor living) area
  
• Service area

Target Audiences

• Typical Louisiana homeowners and potential homeowners
  
• LSU AgCenter home ground, home garden and home economics clientele
  
• Out-of-state visitors to campus
  
• Green industry professionals for clientele referrals and site visits
  
• Statewide county agent and home economist training opportunities
  
• Adaptable for urban, suburban and rural markets
  
• Suitable for multi-generational use
  
• Self guided or coordinated group tours (youth and adult)
  

Additional 3-acre area devoted to selected landscape features / criteria

• Plant adaptability and selection
  
• Theme/display gardens
  
• Landscape structures
  
• Environmental management
  
• Irrigation/water conservation and management
  
• Fertilization/nutrient management
  
• Integrated pest management
  
• Energy conservation
  
• Soil conservation
  
• Composting/recycling
  
• Other cultural practices
  
• Cost-effective maintenance considerations
  
• Outdoor educational classroom
  

• Changeable and seasonally adaptable
  
• Statewide appeal and marketability, now and future years
  
• Reflects Louisiana landscape and cultures
  
• Incorporates some LSU campus landscape features (live oaks)
  
• Reflects climate and geographical zones
  
• Consistent with all LaHouse criteria (does not violate any criterion)
  

Other Cultural Practices

• Pruning and plant spacing
  
• Mature spread (width)
  
• Mature height
  
• Natural pruning vs. formal pruning
  
• Chemical pruning
  
• Mulching
  
• Different materials for mulching
  
• Proper depths
  
• Weed control effects
  
• Proper bed preparation
  
• Raised beds
  
• Organic material use
  
• Soil pH (soil testing)
  
• Soil texture and structure (physical properties)
  
• Bed edging materials

Plant Adaptability and Selection

• United States Department of Agriculture Hardiness Zones 8-9
  
• American Horticultural Society Heat Zones 8-9
  
• Louisiana native plants (good and bad benefits)
  
• Hurricane-resistant plantings
  
• Plants for wildlife habitats, butterflies, hummingbirds, etc.
  
• Nuisance and invasive plant material issues (noxious weeds)
  
• Turfgrass species used in and recommended for Louisiana
  
• 'Louisiana Select' plant use
  
  

Landscape Structures

• Hobby greenhouse
  
• Decks and benches
  
• Outdoor classroom located in the landscape
  
• Porous surface traffic areas
  
• Brick layout patterns
  

Integrated Pest Management

• Selection of plant material based on climate zone
  
• Selection of pest-resistant/least susceptible species or varieties
  
• Encourage beneficial insects
  
• Scout for pest populations
  
• Minimal pesticide (insecticides, fungicides, herbicides) applications
  

Energy Conservation

• Shade tree use
  
• Proper greenhouse orientation
  
• Heat island effects
  

Soil Conservation

• Planting to reduce erosion
  
• Topographical mapping
  
• Maximize use of vegetative cover
  

Theme / Display Gardens

• Wetland/semi-wetland area (flood tolerant, salt tolerant)
  
• Ornamental grass and ground cover use
  
• Louisiana native trees/urban forestry
  
• Bedding plant display/trial garden
  
• Herb/cut flower/ edible plant area
  
• Lawn/turfgrass display
  
• Butterfly/hummingbird garden
  
• Water garden/aquatic plants
  

Environmental Management

• Irrigation/water conservation and management
• Cost consideration
  
• Comparison of irrigation system types
  
• Selection of drought-resistant/low water use plant material
  
• Reduction of surface water runoff
  
• Xeriscaping principle
  
• Cistern for landscape irrigation purposes
  

Fertilization/Nutrient Management

• Slow-release (controlled-release) fertilizers
  
• Low nutrient requiring plant material
  
• Proper irrigation to manage nutrient (nitrate) movement
  
• 'Don't Bag It' lawn care program
  
• Demonstration of fertilizer application methods
  

Composting/Recycling

• Comparison of composting systems
• Recycle yard waste