Varying your mowing pattern can cause you to spend a little more time mowing, but the result will be a greatly improved appearance in your turfgrass.

This article reviews recent research on urban and community trees and their ability to stand up to hurricane strength winds.

Use this guide to plant a successful vegetable garden. The information has been developed after considerable research and practical experience.

The cold weather we typically receive now through January can cause problems for home and commercial citrus in our area. It is important to know the critical temperatures and the factors affecting them.

October is a transitional month in Louisiana flower gardens. Many warm season annuals have finished or are finishing, and gardeners' thoughts are just beginning to turn to cool-season bedding plants for fall, winter and spring color.

(For Release On Or After 10/05/07) Fall is a prime planting season in Louisiana. Cool-season flowering bedding plants and cool-season vegetables are planted from now through February, and November through February is the best time to plant hardy shrubs, ground covers and perennials in the landscape. How well you prepare the soil before planting has an enormous effect on the health and growth of your plants.

Information on how to reduce nonpoint source pollution using research-based horticultural best management practices. (PDF Only)

Louisiana summers are a tough time for tomatoes to set and hold fruit. The heat causes irregular flower growth in most cultivars, and the result is poor fruit set, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

This publication outlines some 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.

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

Fertilizers come in different strengths and blends, with the three numbers on the bags showing the percentage by weight of the three major nutrients. Understanding the numbers on a bag of fertilizer helps you apply the right amount and ratio your yard or garden needs.

Several models of small walk-behind stump grinders are aimed at homeowners, rental use and smaller professional operations. Most are reasonably safe if used carefully, but a few are not safe no matter how they are used.

These photos and drawings show how to use an ASAE standard 3" x 8" hydraulic cylinder to provide a power-adjustable upper link for a tractor 3-point hitch.

One of the factors that most affects both the capability of a lawn/garden tractor, and the price, is the engine.

This article contains links to sources for nonpowered walk-behind sprayers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

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

Compact utility tractors are small diesel tractors with less than 40 horsepower. All current models come equipped with two important safety features: a rollover protective structure (ROPS) and a seatbelt. These two safety components can go a long way toward protecting you in case of an overturn - if you use them.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind blowers and vacuums.

One of the handiest implements you can put on your tractor is a lift boom for the 3-point hitch. In some areas these are called boom poles or gin poles.

It’s the time of the year when Formosan subterranean termites swarm and spread their colonies. Humans help termites travel great distances when they move infested railroad ties, utility poles, lumber, landscaping timbers, potted plants, shipping crates, pallets, mobile homes, paper and other cellulose products.

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

This poster addresses where Argentine Ants are found in Louisiana, as well as cost-effective ways to control them.

This poster discusses background of Argentine Ants, baits that are cheap and effective for indoor use, and outdoor ant control.

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.

Many people use a rotary cutter (often referred to by the copyrighted name “Bush Hog”) to cut grass and weeds, but, in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted.

This poster discusses natural feeding preferences, adapted feeding preferences and feeding strategies of the Argentine Ant.

Organic mulches can help keep your vegetables producing during Louisiana’s hot summer months. Although mulch is usually applied to control weeds and conserve moisture, it has several other useful functions.

A simple hand spreader is often the best tool for applying granular fertilizer or pesticides.

This article contains links to sources for garden seeders. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Price, performance and durability are important considerations in choosing garden tools and power equipment, but if a tool or machine is uncomfortable or awkward to use, you’ll regret buying it.

(Audio 06/09/08) Even in the hot summer, we need to care for our landscape, but working in the sun can be dangerous. LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dan Gill has some tips for summer gardening. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

The spreader settings typically found on bags of fertilizer and granular pesticides are usually based on tests performed on one sample of each spreader model listed. This procedure assumes that all spreaders of that model are identical and will thus require the same spreader settings. Unfortunately, that is not often the case – at least with homeowner spreaders.

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.

In the summer of 2000, daylily rust was reported for the first time in the United States. It has since spread across most of the country and continues to present problems for home gardeners, commercial landscapers and daylily growers.

Blossom-end rot can occur when sunny days follow a cloudy, wet period. It is a symptom of calcium deficiency in the plant.

Southern gardeners rely heavily on non-native plants to populate their gardens. A very small number of these introduced ornamental plants have become invasive in our natural areas. Do you know where your landscape plants come from? This article will tell you where many of our traditional favorites originate and list a few you may want to avoid in the future.

Citrus trees that survived hurricane damage may have lost significant amounts of foliage. These trees could experience a strong flush as they start their own healing process. This is very important because new foliage will provide nutrients needed for winter survival and faster tree recovery. Producers must implement practices to protect from additional leaf loss which can be caused by the citrus leafminer.

The key components of the effective use of fungicides for pecan disease control are timing, coverage, and concentration. The updated 2007 fungicide list is included.

(Distributed 06/17/08) The LSU AgCenter has conducted a considerable amount of evaluation research on crape myrtles over the last 10-plus years, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings. “Probably 40-50 varieties are worthy of being grown and sold in Louisiana,” Owing says.

Sweet potatoes are not very sweet or moist when first dug. It takes six to eight weeks of proper curing and storage before they have the sweet, moist taste and texture desired when baked, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

The analysis or "formula" listed on the fertilizer bags tells you what is inside. This information lets you apply the proper amount of fertilizer.

A storm can leave trees looking like there’s no tomorrow. Major limbs may be broken or damaged, foliage can be shredded or stripped, or the bark may be torn or gouged. But what at first glance may look like mortal wounds are not necessarily fatal to a tree. Trees have an amazing ability to recover from storm damage.

Unwise suburban lawncare can provide a direct surface route for fertilizer nutrients and other surface pollutants to enter bayous and bays.

This article contains links to sources for powered backpack sprayers. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Bagworms create problems for many homeowners. Timing is critical in controlling bagworms.

Layering of very different soil types creates root problems. If you can, always avoid sodding a sand-based root-zone area with native-soil-based sod.

June Drop is a name that pecan growers have given to an event that occurs from mid June through early July. During this period, a large number of "nutlets" drop from pecan trees. The three primary causes of the June drop are inadequate pollination, damage from the insect nut curculio and damage from the hickory shuckworm.

Living in south Louisiana, we know that getting ready for the storm means stocking batteries, candles, water, canned goods and first aid supplies. We also need to think about the landscapes that surround our homes or businesses and how they can provide a buffer zone that can reduce storm damage.

Garlic is thought to have many uses from warding off cancer to protecting from evil. In Louisiana, we use it to flavor food and boil shellfish. Here are some tips on how to grow garlic in the home garden.

Okra is a warm-season crop that grows well in Louisiana gardens. A good start is important for successful okra production.

Elongate twig ant populations have increased in Louisiana over the past few years. Many people are curious about these strange ants and become fearful of them when they experience their voracious sting. The status and habits of the elongate twig ant (Pseudomyrmex gracilis) are reviewed for Louisiana. Identification tips are given to distinguish it from other ants in Louisiana.

A guide to identifying this one-of-a-kind ant. Learn its mannerisms how to distinguish it from other household pests, as well as how to handle an infestation.

This publication is intended to introduce home vegetable gardeners to the various methods used to manage the many diseases that affect these crops.

Without good irrigation and resources to do so, allowing your turf to go dormant during extended summer drought may be the best management practice.

A tractor 3-point hitch is handy and versatile. The upper link of a 3-point hitch is a turnbuckle that allows adjustment of the angle of the implement on the hitch. It is possible to replace this link with a hydraulic cylinder.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind broadcast spreaders.

Maturation processes occur in vegetables that permanently change their taste, appearance and quality if they are not harvested at the proper stage of maturity.

Most professional applicators use rotary spreaders. Rotary spreaders are not only faster than drop spreaders, but are more forgiving of small errors in swath width.

Rotary broadcast spreaders offer many advantages for turf professionals. There are also some disadvantages including pattern skewing and the need to develop pattern settings for each product to center the pattern. Pendulum-action spreaders overcome those problems.

People tend to walk at different speeds. When you are pushing a spreader, this difference in walking speed can cause problems.

Some high-quality plastic spreaders have precision equivalent to the better homeowner metal spreaders. There is a tremendous difference in performance among brands and models.

A good lawn spreader is a precision tool and should be treated accordingly. Your lawn spreader doesn’t need a great deal of time-consuming maintenance, but a few simple steps can preserve the life and precision of your spreader.

FWA provides four-wheel-drive when engaged. FWA substantially increases the cost of a tractor, but it provides some important benefits.

You have many choices when it comes to shovels. The type you need depends on the job you have to do.

You will save money in the short run at discount stores and mass merchandisers. You will pay more but get better quality equipment and service with dedicated lawn and garden dealers or farm equipment dealers.

With hurricane season around the corner, it’s a good time to begin preparing the landscape for storms, according to LSU AgCenter agriculture and natural resources expert Barton Joffrion. Trees generally are adapted only to average wind conditions rather than major storms. Homeowners need to analyze their property to identify potential damage that could be done to vegetation, structures and drainage systems.

This article contains sources for gasoline-powered chainsaws. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Winning varieties have been evaluated in more than 130 trial gardens across the United States and have proven to be good landscape performers.

Sound stewardship of urban and community trees includes employing the services of arborists to help maintain their health and vitality. This article provides the homeowner tips on finding and hiring a tree care professional for your residential tree care needs.

The article contains a brief description of blackberry varieties that are adapted to Louisiana. A description of primocane blackberries is also given.

Weeding and feeding are two different operations. Sometimes they can be done in combination, but not always and not for best results.

In the summers of 2002 and 2003, LSU AgCenter's Dr. James Boudreaux tested 14 sugar enhanced (se) and 11 supersweet (sh2) corn cultivars. They were evaluated for their large ears (about 8") and husk cover.

Dry conditions often persist in most parts of Louisiana this time of year and into the summer, but LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske says there are actions you can take to avoid the lawn problems associated with drought.

Landscape plant evaluations at the LSU AgCenter regularly identify new plants worthy of increased use in Louisiana, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

Information on azaleas includes recommended cultural practices and other keys to be successful with this popular plant in your landscape efforts.

Interest in daylilies is still strong despite rust problems over the past several years. New daylily selections and All-American daylily winners need to be evaluated in the Gulf South for landscape performance.

If our dry spring months extend into the summer, we will need to remember some important considerations when watering home landscapes, according to LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Allen Owings.

Nitrogen is the chief nutrient and controller of plant growth in average soils. It is provided in several commercial fertilizer forms.

Mid-mount rotary mower decks are common on lawn tractors, garden tractors, subcompact tractors and smaller compact utility tractors. There are two ways that these decks can be mounted, and the mounting method affects adjustment and operation.

Most garden tools have fixed handles that may be made of wood, fiberglass or metal. But an LSU AgCenter engineer says some tools now are available with separate handle and toolhead components that can be interchanged as desired.

Efforts in 2003 and 2004 included evaluation of cannas, coleus, angelonias, purslane, lantanas, perennial verbena, annual and perennial salvia, vinca, zinnias, melampodium, petunias, rudbeckia, phlox, daylilies, dianthus, ornamental kale, ornamental cabbage, calendula, violas, pansies, ornamental sweet potatoes, garden mums, African and French marigolds and others.

Louisiana is blessed with long growing seasons which make year round gardening possible. To be successful, however, you must have an insect management program. Learn how to tell if the insect is beneficial to your garden, or if it is a pest and determine what to use if controls are necessary.

This publication is intended to help you select the correct zero turning radius mower for your purpose, then use it and maintain it correctly and safely. (PDF Format Only)

Expected yields from a good southern vegetable garden will vary, but estimates can help plan the planting scheme for the garden.

Electrical units are fine for small lawns, gasoline hand-held units are the best choice for larger home sites and backpack blowers are a good choice for professional users.

Leaf blowers are efficient, useful tools that annoy some people. Be aware of the problem, and use your leaf blower responsibly to avoid losing the privilege.

After a saturating summer rain, expect many plants to wilt and then scald out. Saturated conditions can interfere with a root system's ability to absorb soil moisture. When a high evaporation demand (transpiration) is placed on the plants from bright sunshine after rain, they can show drought stress.

A sharp mower blade produces a prettier cut with less stress on the turf plant. Sharpening a reel mower blade assembly is difficult and best left to a professional, but sharpening a common rotary mower blade is not a big problem.

The intense heat makes moisture critical. This is especially true for newly installed landscapes, vegetable and flower beds and any new plantings in existing landscapes.

This article contains links to sources for powered pruning saws. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

Zoysias can be the most beautiful and slow growing lawns, but they can also be big problems. These lawns are very dense and uniform in appearance.

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

If you plan to do much work on lawn/garden or grounds maintenance equipment, you need a torque wrench. Even a job as simple as changing a spark plug on a small engine should be done with a torque wrench.

Here is a list of manufacturers of chippers, shredders and grinders. It does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

It is very important to properly tighten spark plugs after replacement or cleaning – especially on small engines with aluminum heads. This table gives approximate torque values for different sizes of spark plugs in both cast iron and aluminum heads.

"A patch of dead grass, even a small one, in an otherwise acceptable lawn can be an eyesore and a weed magnet," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Use turfgrass to patch the lawn. It’s easy, immediate and permanent and checks soil erosion.

This article contains links to sources for the Herbi CDA herbicide sprayer.

A rose can say a lot. The beautiful blossoms speak of love, sorrow and appreciation. If a dozen roses can say so much, then the rose garden at the LSU AgCenter’s Burden Center speaks volumes. The garden has 150 varieties of roses and more than 1,500 individual plants. Research on this popular flower is conducted at this station in Baton Rouge.

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.

Snap beans are adapted to a wide range of soils in Louisiana and make an excellent crop for the home garden. Their freshness is a real treat at the dinner table.

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.

The EPA found that small spark-ignition engines of 25 hp or less contribute about 20 percent of hydrocarbon emissions and 23 percent of carbon monoxide emissions from all mobile sources. As a result of this perceived problem, the EPA has issued new regulations on small engines.

Getting the right start in the spring is especially important for a productive garden, says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske.

Many implements are available for rear mounting on compact utility tractors, including mowers of various types, tillers, angle blades, box blades, cultivators, bedders and rakes. These machines add versatility to your tractor, but mounting them to the tractor’s 3-point hitch can be a hassle. A quick hitch can make your job much easier.

This list contains links to sources for walk-behind drop spreaders.

Daylilies are one of the most popular flowering plants for late spring and early summer landscapes in Louisiana. Many new flower forms and flower colors are now available.

Louisiana gets a lot of rain, but it isn’t spaced out uniformly. Sometimes there’s too much rain, and other times there are periods of drought. Plants do better, however, with a more uniform water supply.

Finishing (or grooming) mowers typically have (two or) three blades and are designed for quality mowing of turfgrass. They have multiple gage wheels and rollers that allow a relatively low cutting height with minimal scalping.

All vegetable seeders require openers, coverers and presswheels to provide a furrow for the seeds and to then cover the seeds and assure proper soil contact. These devices must be matched to the soil type and condition for optimum germination and seedling vigor.

Riding mowers, lawn tractors, lawn and garden tractors, and garden tractors are covered by several safety standards that are designed to protect you, the operator.

Citrus trees, such as satsumas, oranges and grapefruit, are popular for home fruit production. Citrus trees offer gardeners beauty and fragrant flowers as well as a tasty fruit. Their dark, glossy evergreen foliage is attractive year round.

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is causing losses to many tomato growers. Symptoms of the disease typically include cupping and rolling of the upper leaves, which usually turn purple/brown along the veins.

One of the major distinctions between low-quality and high-quality tools is the way the toolhead is manufactured.

Homeowners and gardeners often use wheelbarrows and garden carts to move materials. This article describes advantages and limitations of each.

This article provides links to sources for edgers. This list does not constitute a recommendation of any of the companies or products.

With fall comes yard and garden cleanup – especially leaves. For many homeowners, a leaf blower can be an efficient and effective grounds maintenance tool, according to Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

Many people use a rotary cutter – often referred to by the trade name Bush Hog – to cut grass and weeds. But in too many cases, the implement is not correctly adjusted. This can cause premature wear, poor quality of cut and an excessive power requirement, warns Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer at the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

(Audio 04/14/08) Gardeners can begin planting summer bedding plants around mid- to late April. LSU AgCenter horticlturist Dan Gill says there are many options when choosing warm-season plants. (Runtime: 60 seconds)

If you apply liquid fertilizers and pesticides to large areas of your lawn, you need to be accurate. That means calibrating your sprayer to be sure you apply the correct amount of material for the area you’re treating, says Dr. Dick Parish, an engineer with the LSU AgCenter’s Hammond Research Station.

The article describes the symptoms and life history of pecan phylloxera on pecan trees. Pictures of symptoms and nymphs are provided.

Fireplace wood ashes are a lime and potassium source, but watch out for the rise in soil pH.

Violas, a close relative to the pansy but with smaller flowers, can provide a mass of color on the darkest winter day. Several viola series perform well in Louisiana, but sometimes it's difficult to choose the viola you want with so many series and colors available. The pictures included on this page are all from the annual bedding plant trials performed at the Burden Center in Baton Rouge.

This document describes the diseases that occur most frequently on pecan trees in Louisiana.

Do you get what you pay for when buying a mowing tractor? There is certainly a wide range of prices; in fact, you can easily pay twice as much for a lawn tractor at a major farm equipment dealer as you would pay for a lawn tractor with the same horsepower and mowing width at a discount store. What do you get for the additional money?

A power lawnmower requires regular maintenance if it is to provide reliable service. Most of the maintenance steps are easy and can be done by a reasonably handy homeowner.

Power lawnmowers are available with a wide array of features. Some of the features are helpful; some less so. It can be a challenge to optimize both features and price.

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

This publication has information on the varieties, pollination, soil preparation, planting and cultivation of vegetable pears.

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

The article provides a brief description of factors to consider when harvesting and storing pecans.

A simple but accurate way of checking the output of your sprayer is the H 128 method of sprayer calibration.

Many wonder if newly laid sod should be quickly fertilized to help speed establishment.

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.

A small, hand-held sprayer is available that will spray herbicides uniformly and with a relatively uniform droplet size.

The southern pea is also known as cowpea and field pea and various names like blackeyes, crowders, peas, etc.

Loading equipment onto trailers and trucks presents a safety challenge. Loading the right way can reduce the risk of overturn and operator injury.

It takes some knowledge and research to select turfgrass species and varieties that are adapted to your site and that will perform well under their intended use and time of planting.

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

Marigolds produce substances that are toxic to at least one or more kinds of nematodes.

Now is the time to begin working on a new lawn, and LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske has advice for those undertaking such a project.

"Fall is a good time to plant greens in your home garden," says LSU AgCenter horticulturist Dr. Tom Koske. Crops include mustard, turnips, spinach, collards, kale and Swiss chard. All are cool-season crops with similar cultural requirements.

Mowing grass is the most popular way that homeowners use compact utility tractors. Different types of mowers serve different purposes, and you should choose the correct mower for your needs.

LSU AgCenter nutritionist Dr. Beth Reames says to choose Louisiana strawberries for a nutritious, healthy treat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Whether you have a few rose bushes beside your house or a half-acre garden, you will need a sprayer to take care of your plants.

Camellia flower blight is by far the most serious disease of camellias in Louisiana. This disease is caused by the fungus Ciborinia camelliae. This publication includes information on the symptoms, control and life cycle of the fungus.

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.