This handbook provides helpful ideas, information and techniques to create and maintain a more environmentally friendly landscape. You will learn the basics of designing a landscape using carefully selected plants suited to Louisiana growing conditions. $12.00 + tax. You can order this book from our online store, by using the Order Publication link below.

Controlling and trapping moles require a little time and patience. Your success with controlling moles depends on locating active runways and the proper placement of a trap.

This publication outlines some of the options for design, operation and maintenance of ornamental ponds and discusses basic environmental requirements of fish and plants commonly grown in these ponds. 20 pages. Full color. (PDF Format Only)

Selection, cultural practices, fertilization, pruning and recommended varieties of vines and ground covers are included. (PDF Format Only)

An abundance of weeds, diseases and insects plague Louisiana’s home landscapes. The adoption of BMPs and integrated pest management (IPM) will reduce these problems.

Best Management Practices for the use of compost in the home landscape.

The article provides a brief description of feijoa. Information on selecting varieties and cultural practices are included.

When the proper plants are selected for shady areas, the results can be beautiful and enduring.

Gardeners and landscapers often come into contact with poison ivy and may contract a bothersome rash. It pays to be able to identify this plant and avoid it.

Developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.

The goal is to encourage homeowners to create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage/impact through educational programs and outreach activities.

Loquat, sometimes called Japanese plum or Japanese Medlar, is an attractive small tree or shrub that is frequently planted in landscapes as an ornamental in Louisiana. The tree has large thick evergreen leaves, which thrives in most well-drained soils, can be used as an edible landscape plant.

The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio tells us how well the compost will work.

Ideas for Attracting Wildlife, Controlling Undesirable Wildlife, Further Reading on Attracting Wildlife

A responsible and environmentally friendly approach to pest management is Integrated Pest Management.

Adequate soil moisture is essential for a thriving landscape. Providing uniform moisture is critical for most plants to prevent drought stress during dry periods.

Diseases occur on landscape plants when environmental conditions are suitable for pathogens to develop on them. Prevention is the key to management.

Rain that falls in your yard should soak into your yard. It's good for the landscape and protects waterways.

Weeds are the No. 1 pest in Louisiana lawns. They are in direct competition with lawns for essential nutrients, water and light.

As our communities expand, we lament the loss of birds and other wildlife, but often our own yards are partly to blame. You can provide habitat for wildlife in your landscape.

The goal is to encourage homeowners to create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage/impact through educational programs and outreach activities.

Fertilizers provide mineral elements needed for plant health. Fertilizing can be done by applying composted organic material, packaged fertilizer or a specific mineral, such as iron.

A mulch layer around trees, shrubs, planted beds and bare ground provides many benefits.

A two-acre camellia garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station is now open again, thanks to the efforts of the Tangipahoa Parish Master Gardeners.

Many Louisiana gardeners are expressing their desire to attract butterflies to their yards. Learn how to create a butterfly-friendly environment with a few simple requirements: food, water, shelter and a place to reproduce. (PDF Format Only)

The article describes growing bananas in the landscape and steps for possible fruit production.

With suburban sprawl continuing to invade wildlife habitat, many gardeners have come face to face with a new reality, the white-tailed deer.

Once you determine which plants you want to add to your Louisiana-Friendly Yard, it is time to breakground and start planting.

If you decide that you want to change your landscape, it is important not to simply remove everything that is there.

Landscape design combines art and science to create functional, aesthetically pleasing and ecologically sound surroundings that complement a home or other structure.

This handbook forms a solid resource for do-it-yourselfers, but what if you lack the time, desireor ability to tackle your own landscape work? Landscaping companies offer varying types ofmaintenance services.

Soil salts affect turf mostly by withholding moisture from plant tissues. They may also compete for uptake of nutrient ions. Try these suggestions to manage a soil salinity situation.

Louisianians take pride in the appearance of their lawns and landscapes. Weeds, however, can detract from that appearance and frustrate homeowners. Information on adaptation, light, soils and mulch can be found in this publication. (PDF Format Only)

If you look around at some of our landscapes, you would think we live in the tropics. Indeed, some winters the temperature never does dip below freezing. Be prepared when it does.

Right Plant, Right Place for Landscaping, Water Efficiency, Maximize Mulch & Recycle Yard Waste, Fertilize Effectively, Manage Yard Pests, Protect Surface Waters and Wetlands, Provide for Beneficial Wildlife Habitat

When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create whatthey want. Efforts at landscaping can be disappointing despite spending a substantial amount of money. The important thing to remember is that developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.

Many of Louisiana’s water resources are especially susceptible to pollution because of our unique geology and climate.

A sustainable approach to managing pests by combining biological, cultural, physical and chemical tools in a way that minimizes economic, health and environmental risks.

Fertilizing can be done by applying composted organic material, packaged fertilizer or a specific mineral, such as iron.

The focus of this program is to encourage homeowners to create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage. This will include looking at water quality and conservation, reducing stormwater runoff and decreasing nonpoint source pollution of surface water, enhancing desirable wildlife habitats and creating functional, attractive landscapes.

The focus of this program is to encourage homeowners to create and maintain landscapes in ways that minimize environmental damage. This will include looking at water quality and conservation, reducing stormwater runoff and decreasing nonpoint source pollution of surface water, enhancing desirable wildlife habitats and creating functional, attractive landscapes.

Louisiana Yards & Neighborhood PowerPoint presentation to assist in training volunteers for the implementation of this program.

Contributors and Reviewers:

A Louisiana-Friendly Yard doesn’t merely offer a good-looking landscape, it also becomes an asset to the local environment, protecting natural resources and preserving our state’s unique beauty.

It is important to remember that our yards and neighborhoods are channels to our waterways.

This handbook is organized into two sections. The first section contains background information that will help you as you make plans to create a Louisiana-friendly yard. The second offers detailed description of landscape ideas and practices that explain and illustrate the seven basic LYN principles.

A wide variety of soil types are in Louisiana. Talk to your parish county agent about what the soil is like where you live. A soil test, available through your parish LSU AgCenter Extension office, will tell you a lot about the type of soil(s) your site has.

A mulch layer around trees, shrubs, planted beds and covering bare ground provides many benefits.In areas that are difficult to mow, irrigate or otherwise maintain, use mulch to replace turf orgroundcovers. Also consider placing mulch in shady areas where plants don’t grow well.

Landscape maintenance activities — mowing, pruning, raking — generate yard waste that you can return to the soil, recycling valuable nutrients. It is easy to recycle yard waste.

Micro-irrigation systems deliver small volumes of water directly to the root zone throughlow-flow-rate emitters, such as micro-spray jets, bubblers or drip tubes.

Irrigation should be set to run in the early hours. Morning water pressure is usually better; foliage will have time to dry before the evening dew or afternoon showers set in.

Reduce the need for watering by choosing water-efficient and drought-tolerant plants, includingthose native to your site, and plant them in the right place.

Gardening is the most popular hobby or leisure activity in America, but many people still don’t want to spend all their energy on it. For those, there are lots of ways to reduce the time and effort required for landscape maintenance.

Fall is a transitional time of year for Louisiana gardeners. And the LSU AgCenter has a wealth of information to help you keep your landscaping green and blooming year-round.

A properly designed and operated irrigation system will ensure that the critical factor of soil moisture will be there to sustain healthy plant growth.

The well-designed landscape most often contains both deciduous and evergreen plants. Seasonal change is accented by using both types. Using best management practices to properly place deciduous and evergreen plants in a landscape improves energy conservation in the summer and winter months.

Flowering perennials are plants that live for several years and often require two or more years from seed to flower. There is a renewed interest in herbaceous perennials because they need less maintenance, less water and fewer pesticides than annuals.

When it comes to home landscaping, many gardeners remain confused about how to create what they want. Efforts at landscaping can be disappointing despite spending a substantial amount of money. Developing an attractive, properly functioning landscape is best done using a process.

Best Management Practices relating to pruning ornamental plants and mowing lawns in the home landscape.

Trees are one of the most valuable assets to have in a home landscape. Energy conservation and many other environmental benefits are achieved when trees are properly used in a landscape.

A lawn can be as functional as it is beautiful if planned properly.

Best Management Practices for annual bedding plants in home landscape.

The term ground cover is applied to low-growing plants, other than turf grass, used to cover areas of the landscape. Perennial, evergreen plants with a sprawling, or spreading, habit are most often used. The plants used for ground covers generally are 1 foot or less in height, but taller plants are used in certain landscape situations.

Best Management Practices in regard to proper planting techniques and mulch use in the home landscape.

Nothing says summer in the South like the fresh, airy blooms of crape myrtles. Follow these recommendations to ensure proper growth and blooming.

Invisible pests are living in the soil of our vegetable gardens, and these microscopic round worms known as nematodes are problems for home gardeners and commercial farmers.

Low landscape maintenance is possible only through proper planning, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. With the fall planting season coming soon, planning should begin now.

Well-managed lawns and landscaping are good for the environment as well as being attractive. Bad management, however, can negate a lot of the environmental benefits.

Best Management Practices regarding climatical considerations in the home landscape.

There are not a whole lot of heat-loving vegetable crops, laments LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. In late spring, you can plant collards, vine crops such as squash, cucumber and pumpkins, or crops like okra, malabar vine spinach and southern peas.

Information on benefits of micro-irrigation systems for a home landscape and basics/guidelines on installation and ideas to consider.

Summer pruning of blackberries is an important management tool. It is helpful in fruit harvesting, controlling insects and controlling diseases, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. John Pyzner.

Some common landscaping practices provide an opportunity for subterranean termites to attack a house, even one that has been properly treated for termites.

More varieties and sizes of crape myrtles are available than many people realize. One group of crape myrtles being used more because of its smaller size and excellent flowering performance is the semi-dwarf, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

Landscapes damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita can be revitalized. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill talks about what can be done to repair the damage.